Magic Linking Rings

Magic Linking Rings

When I was young, I got a set of metal magic linking rings and I wanted to bring that experience to everyone here.  This is a classic magic performance where the magician seems to impossibly link and unlink a set of rings.  While the trick is rather simple, you will need to master the performance to really amaze the audience.

How it works

My performance skilled peaked many years ago, so I'm going to turn to a YouTube video to explain how to perform the trick much better than I ever could.  The video is by the creator wandw presents and is titled Ridley's Magic How To - Linking Rings.  I am not associated with the creator, so please consider giving them a like and subscribe as a thank-you for such a great tutorial.

Assembly Instructions

Each plate contains half of each ring with post holes on the bottom to connect the halves together.  Using halves instead of a whole ring created a really nice looking and feeling ring without the need for supports.  The plates with the posts has enough to print the 4 required rings, with a few left over just in case you drop one or two.  You will need the following:

• 1 - Gimmicked Ring
• 2 - Normal Ring
• 1 - Linked Ring
• 33 - Posts
• 2 - 6x3mm Round Magnet [Optional]
• Glue [Mostly optional, but recommended]

Step 1

Push the posts into the 8 holes on one half of each ring, as seen with the vertical peg on the right side.  I recommend using needle-nosed pliers to push them in as they are friction fit.  Glue isn't required for this step.  Do not glue the linking ring closed, as seen with the horizontal peg on the left side.  Wait until step 4 to insert the horizontal peg.  You will need to link a normal ring to the linking ring before sealing the linking ring.

Step 2 [Optional]

Glue the magnets into the gimmicked ring half.  While glue is technically not required, it makes installing the magnets much easier.  If you don't have any magnets, don't worry!  The trick works just as well without them.  The magnets just make sure the opening snaps closed and helps to maintain the illusion that the rings are sealed.

Step 3

Press the two halves of the ring together.  You can use glue at this point, but I have tried rings without glue and they hold together very well.  However, you will be bending and hitting the rings, so I do recommend using glue.  At the end of this step, you should have all 4 rings.

Step 4

Link the linked ring to one of the normal rings, then insert the horizontal post in the ends of the linked ring and glue it shut.  Glue is necessary here as this is the linked pair that you will allow the audience to examine.  At the end of this step, you should have one gimmicked ring and one normal ring alone, and the linked ring and other normal ring permanently attached, like below:

Now you're all ready to begin!

Feedback

I appreciate and and all feedback, and will do my best to make the necessary adjustments and fixes as soon as possible.