PROJECT ANDY

Back in my early teens, when I first tried to learn ventriloqism, I had a Danny O'Day vent doll. I have to laugh as just recently had to throw him away. He had first been stored away in my parents' garage and later in a shed. The heat caused his head to become brittle and crack. It was a differrent model than my latest one. The first was wider and squat ... a distorted Danny. This might of given more room to work and step away from an iconic dummy.

I've decided to not try and modify this Danny's image other than a paint job and keep him a cheeky boy. This is more about seeing if I can handle the simplest of the mechanics rather than the cosmetic aspects. Any other modifications will be minamal. I will repair the moving mouth, cutting the pallete out and lowering it to add lower raised teeth. This Danny already comes with upper teeth so this will allow him to close his mouth shut. The second motion will be sycronized movable eyes. From what I have read in the Kenny Croes blog, the "Charlie" doll heads are a little off due to the monicle. He guts the eyes and then reforms them. The Dannys seem to be alittle more alligned even though one eye is slightly larger than the other. I have ordered the Simple Sight Eyes from Braylu. They have the 1.25" size wich are used for the conversion figures. Braylu makes round ball eyes but not in that size. (I need to recheck Kenny's site as I remember he had some concerns about eyes and clearances.) These are suppose to be easier to install and scratch resistant. They also will work well with blinkers. I bought some bass wood to use as the base, but I found some paint stirrers in the garage and I think they will be worth a try. They look about the right size.

There is one mechanic I would like to try but It may take some Mickey Mousing to make it work ... but then ... that's what this is all about isn't it? I found a local vent club in the area that I joined their discussion group. I found a local builder, Chuck Poole and his website:

http://www.zogmyster.com/

He has documented the building of both a T3 and a conversion figure. A lot of good pictures ... here is Mr. Poole's design for a crossing eye device. It seems very effective and less complicated than a few other than I have seen. as you can see he is using a "braided" fishing line. Even though I bought some nylon line, I may see if the budget will allow a purchase if this. Chuck doubles it so if it breaks it will give warning of a need to repair.

I have some parts and products ordered and should come in sometime this week. I got most of the tools on my list and Little Joe has loaned me his vise. (It smells of brake fluid.) I should be able to start in earnest as soon as I find my tool box with my dremel in it.

Oh yeah ... I've had my first dummy related ingury. While looking for the tool box in my garage late last night, I stubbed my toe, cracking the nail in half. There was oodles of blood spurting from my wound. Luckly Yoko tended the damage (2 band aids) , gave me some asprin and kissed and made it all better.

So after looking at Danny's head, the more I stare ... I am waxing nostalgic and have decided to christen him "Andy"after my first pardner. To do a minamal movement away from being a "Danny" in the paint job I will do lighter skin and red hair. I ordered green irises for the eyes. I don't know why but for some reason when I think of an "Andy" ... I think of a red head. (This will also alieviate the neccesity of sanding down his curl and dealing with a wig.) This is a good thing to limit plans ... usually I make things far too complicated. So here goes ...

PROJECT ANDY.