Welcome to the DummyStore.net blog, chronicling the adventures (and misadventures) of building professional ventriloquist dummies.
It features tips, tricks and utter failures. Please feel free to submit comments, critiques and helpful suggestions.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Glutton for punishment
My client has already given me permission to wave the white flag. But I stubbornly decided to give it one more try. If I can't make a winker this time, then I'll complete the figure without it.
I built a new frame and installed it in the head. Tomorrow I'll attempt to attach the chamois being extra careful to keep the glue away from the axles.
Of course, I still have to install the actuating mechanism which is more new territory.
Kenny, once you complete on set you will ask yourself why all fuss!Find the thinner spot on the chamois, not to thick but not to light, cut it a little oversize and with the winker frame closed, fasten the chamois inside the head above the eye with Tacky Glue. Once dried pull chamois out the eye hole and down around the frame, find the length just so it wraps the frame and no longer, again use TACKY, it dries clear and fast and holds strong. make sure you have no binding on either side. You will have to stiffen the chamois and work a little curvature into it by putting some tacky on your finger and painting the backside with your finger. several coats may be needed. push out slightly while painting the tacky and when about drie move the frame to open eye position and make sure it folds correctly. working with the chamois once installed to get it to fold will help. Tacky is truly the trick. Its lightly stiff and mostly clear.. Dont give up.. Dave
Kenny, once you complete on set you will ask yourself why all fuss!Find the thinner spot on the chamois, not to thick but not to light, cut it a little oversize and with the winker frame closed, fasten the chamois inside the head above the eye with Tacky Glue. Once dried pull chamois out the eye hole and down around the frame, find the length just so it wraps the frame and no longer, again use TACKY, it dries clear and fast and holds strong. make sure you have no binding on either side. You will have to stiffen the chamois and work a little curvature into it by putting some tacky on your finger and painting the backside with your finger. several coats may be needed. push out slightly while painting the tacky and when about drie move the frame to open eye position and make sure it folds correctly. working with the chamois once installed to get it to fold will help. Tacky is truly the trick. Its lightly stiff and mostly clear.. Dont give up.. Dave
ReplyDeleteHi Kenny. Have you considered using a ready-made, pre-assembled winker/blinker assembly, such as what Braylu makes and sells? Just a thought.
ReplyDelete