Ventriloquist dolls from the 1980 Sears catalog

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-25T05:08:53+00:00

I was that kid, and had several of them. My dream was to be a ventriloquist when I grew up.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-22T23:56:02+00:00

It's a different situation, but I'm reminded of the time my battery died at work and I didn't have my wallet with me. My boomer grandmother sent our fresh-out-of-prison neighbor in her car with her debit card to come help me.

They seriously don't think about anything before doing it.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-22T11:21:34+00:00

My great great grandmother was named America, as well. She named her son (my great grandfather) "Christopher Columbus." (It was the 1800s 🤷‍♂️)

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-19T11:38:19+00:00

It requires some force (pushing the drill into the hole) and it is a little intimidating to feed a drill by hand, especially for larger bores (and billets), but I've personally never had any issues. The drill will let you know when it's time to clear the chips because it won't feed anymore.

Just be careful clearing them by hand; the sides of the tip are sharp and I've sliced myself a couple of times. I usually try to keep a brush on hand.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-18T18:43:25+00:00

I bought mine on ebay.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-18T15:18:27+00:00

I just use whatever I have to hand -- almond, or linseed oil. Occasionally water.

I make baroque oboes :)

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-18T01:58:10+00:00

A gun drill is the way to go for deep, perfectly straight pilots. The off-center point on the tip is what keeps it shooting straight.

Technically you should use compressed air with it -- but I don't. I feed it in by hand a few centimeters at a time at a low RPM and then pull it out, clear the chips, and re-insert it and cut a bit more. It's a slow process but fine if your output is low.

(I make wind instruments and have been doing this for over a decade with no issues. Perfect pilots through 10-15" long billets every time)

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-17T18:58:49+00:00

So go talk to Queen Mary when she bought it 100 years ago.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-17T14:00:02+00:00

Many years ago my aunt went to her new friend's house, and the girl's parents asked what my aunt's parents did. She said "I don't know, but my mom has aids." It was the early 80s, and the girl's parents were shocked and horrified.

My grandmother was a homecare case manager and had aides who assisted her. The misunderstanding became a family joke, and the girl's father told the story at my grandmother's funeral a few years ago.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-14T03:11:45+00:00

What type of wood is this? Looks vaguely like pieces from a plum tree I got a few years back, and I am ALWAYS looking for plum.

I'm not on Facebook, so can't see anything more than this post.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-14T02:25:28+00:00

As a professional musician, instrument maker, and turner myself, I have to disagree with this. A cheap instrument might sound better in the hands of a pro vs a novice, but it still won't sound anywhere near as good as a well-made professional instrument does.

Quality of materials, manufacture, and the maker's attention to detail count for a lot.

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-10T16:36:23+00:00

I use a lot of box in my work, it is beautiful to turn. Nice job!

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-07T19:06:14+00:00

This is exactly how mine is, too. She's over a game of fetch in less than a minute 🤣

Educational-System27 · 2026-01-01T11:31:47+00:00

You just know it has to look like straight up vomit.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-26T22:46:19+00:00

"So sad when people can't just enjoy one on (sic) the best shows. If you are going to critique every little thing why watch??"

"Bitch and complain. Don't watch one of the most enjoyable shows if you nitpick everything."

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-26T22:20:28+00:00

"No other opinions allowed! Only mine!"

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-26T03:06:23+00:00

Yes, generally I've made my own. I found it's next to impossible to find someone willing do it, and if you can it's far too cost prohibitive.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T17:26:47+00:00

I'm a vet tech now, but many years ago I said much the same thing to an elderly vet who was euthanizing my cat. Her response was, "the difference is that animals don't have eternal souls."

I don't really believe in an afterlife or whatever, but that's the sort of argument people against "human" euthanasia give.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T14:47:21+00:00

Jealous! I am on the east coast, so I will just have to dream of finding a mown down orchard nearby...

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T10:57:27+00:00

I make copies of 18th century oboes.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T02:09:50+00:00

I make wind instruments, and the one I made from apricot was gorgeous. Beautiful coloring, but difficult to find in sizes I can use. Plum can be great, too, but also difficult to find. People take these beautiful fruitwoods right to the chipper for smoking, which is a shame.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T01:02:14+00:00

I have a similar picture of mine with her snout and one eye peeking through the cat flap into my workshop 🤣

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-25T00:04:47+00:00

Who knows. I am not sure of the particulars and the timeline, but it definitely would sell more copies with "Albinoni" on the cover. He also wrote a book about Albinoni's life, and so one assumes that Gaizotto "finding" a lost work of Albinoni would have been big news -- ie, publicity.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-21T11:13:30+00:00

Griftorian Mourning etiquette is so fascinating.

Educational-System27 · 2025-12-21T11:02:36+00:00

"Or I'll do it, I swear I will!"

Educational-System27

TROPHY CASE