Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning

allurose
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Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 4, 2014 9:16:35 GMT -8

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Post by allurose on Nov 4, 2014 9:16:35 GMT -8

What kind of springs, hooks, and swivels do all you dollmakers use for your dolls? Where do you buy them? I'm on my own quest...

It's for my 13.5" Forgotten Hearts doll.

I'm thinking these fishing tack swivels, which I think are the same as my Paperwhite Doll has:

www.ebay.com/itm/100-Pcs-Gold-Snap-Swivels-For-Fishing-Tools-Tool-Tackle-/141058450124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d7bd22cc

As for springs...it's so complicated! I know I need compression springs, and stainless steel would be best I assume. I see springs are measured in several ways, inside diameter, outside diameter, wire size, and of course length. As I understand it, the length is decided by me when I cut the spring, so I am most concerned with diameters. What size springs do you use for different sizes of dolls? Some of the other tutorial pages I found say you just have to buy a zillion springs and see what works, or even order custom ones. I'd like to try and narrow down the options a little bit! Especially since I'm only stringing one doll!

And hooks, what gauge/hardness/type of wire do you use to make your hooks?

I'll let you all know what I discover on my journey too...

Flickr ~ Tumblr ~ Etsy ~ East SF Group on Facebook

totam3clips3 Member Posts: 67	Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 4, 2014 16:27:24 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by totam3clips3 on Nov 4, 2014 16:27:24 GMT -8 Also an invisible part like springs can be a hard matter, dolls world is really a tough one! I'm really looking forward to read what dollmaker members will write here =)

fawkes
Senior Member

Posts: 297

Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 4, 2014 23:37:42 GMT -8

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Post by fawkes on Nov 4, 2014 23:37:42 GMT -8

You need TENSION springs . And you're right finding the right hook is the trickiest part when assembling a doll. I'm afraid there's no set rule to find the right springs; you'll have to try and test a lot before finding the correct size of spring, the correct wire width - tension will be much stronger if the wire is large, etc. You can also cut your springs if they have the right tension but they're too long. You also have to take the length of the hooks into consideration - one or two millimeters can make can make a huge difference. Adding swivels is another factor of course.

jealoushe
Member

Posts: 45

Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 5, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -8

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Post by jealoushe on Nov 5, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -8

Hi, I'm only on my first doll so I'm experimenting myself at this stage but I'll share what I know. The springs you need are extension springs not compression springs, which means they stretch rather than compress. The fishing swivels come in a series of standard sizes. I find the size 10 suits me for most of the joints but any size between 8 and 12 would do. The larger the number the smaller the swivel, eg size 12 is smaller than size 8. I am trialling using jewellery memory wire for making the tiny s hooks,which is very hard and strong but fine. It is easily bent to shape using fine round jewellery pliers. I used sewing needles to make the steel bars, the same method Marina B uses. I bought a box of assorted springs off Ebay for about $12 to try and they have been fine for this first doll.

I really wish there was somewhere to buy the little s hooks though as it is quite time consuming to make them for each doll.

Hope that helps for now.

jealoushe
Member

Posts: 45

Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 5, 2014 0:23:41 GMT -8

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Post by jealoushe on Nov 5, 2014 0:23:41 GMT -8

I keep thinking of things to add..!! I think the wire gauge I'm using is 22 or 20. It is silver plated steel so very strong. You will need heavier duty wire cutters to cut it. Also the swivels I mentioned are called barrel swivels and the extra bit that's attached to them will need to be cut off. Let me know if you have any other questions for now..

caracal Senior Member Posts: 173	Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 5, 2014 2:06:59 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by caracal on Nov 5, 2014 2:06:59 GMT -8 Jeauloshe; thank You so much for this information!!! I am doing a doll at the moment and I shall need this information at some point! Would love to try this on resin dolls too... Thank You!!,

allurose
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Welcome to the forum, please let me know if you have any questions!

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Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning Nov 5, 2014 12:19:53 GMT -8 via Tapatalk

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Post by allurose on Nov 5, 2014 12:19:53 GMT -8

Thank you everyone for the help! I did know I needed extension springs actually, but I wrote the wrong word!

Fawkes, I will remember to make all the hooks first, that should help. My FH doll is only missing one hook (I lost it when her knee broke), so that shouldn't be too hard.

Jealoushe thank you for the tip about swivel sizes! The ones on eBay I saw didn't have good measurements, very frustrating. I think I will need the small ones because some of the openings in the arms and legs are very small (~.5cm). And wow, memory wire! That stuff is hard as hell to bend! I have some ring size memory wire for doll bracelets and bending the ends over is a nightmare. But I'll try it... And thank you for saying the wire gauge and type! That is very helpful. Sewing needles is a great idea for the pins. I don't need to do that for this doll but it's good info for people making whole dolls. Which might be me someday!

Flickr ~ Tumblr ~ Etsy ~ East SF Group on Facebook

Springs, swivels, and hooks for tensioning

Post by allurose on Nov 4, 2014 9:16:35 GMT -8

Post by totam3clips3 on Nov 4, 2014 16:27:24 GMT -8

Post by fawkes on Nov 4, 2014 23:37:42 GMT -8

Post by jealoushe on Nov 5, 2014 0:05:33 GMT -8

Post by jealoushe on Nov 5, 2014 0:23:41 GMT -8

Post by caracal on Nov 5, 2014 2:06:59 GMT -8

Post by allurose on Nov 5, 2014 12:19:53 GMT -8