Substitute stringing tool?

Hiya

when I string and restring my dolls, I use a old wire coat hanger... cut it and bend the end to a tight hook... works really well..

hope that helps.

 

I use shoe-laces and arterie-clamps..

- Therese

 

A large, long crochet needle works pretty well too ^_^

 

I bought one of the stringing tools from Volks, but I lose it pretty much every time I need it, so it's actually kind of useless. The unoa kit came with a "stringing tool," which actually turned out to be a piece of a fairly thin wire bent in half- it works wonders, much better than trying to use a piece of hooked wire. Since it's a lower gauge it bends to the joints fairly easy- I'd venture it at about 20 gauge, although I could be totally pulling that number out of nowhere. I had some lengths of 18 gauge florist wire that came in handy for the same thing, though.

 

I use pipe cleaners for luts and smaller bodied dolls because the holes for the stringing are too narrow for anything thicker... It takes some wrapping and twisting, but it works well.

 

I use the green twisty wire you can get from garden centres. Works just fine for me I just loop it over the string, and pull it as a double length.

 

You can get a doll stringing tool from Mini World dolls. I got the 7 & 11" sizes.

 

I've been too busy to go buy some wire, and too lazy to kill a coathanger, so I've been making do with the plasticy and somewhat stiff string Chinese bakeries and dimsum shops tie up pink cardboard takeout boxes with. It helps to have a really strong grip too.

 

YES. Pipe cleaners are stringing GODS. I can re-string Nagi in about five minutes flat with those bad boys.

 

I use a strong thread (cross-stitching thread) tied tightly around the elastic. The other end of the stread will be tied around a thin copper wire, and the wire will be bent around the thread as to hold onto it tightly. The copper is easy to navigate and will easily push through holes and openings, but it is not strong enough to hold onto the elastic -- it un-bends. However, the thread is strong enough to push the elastic through if you have tied it tightly enough.

I have injured myself a few times... Juniper has blood stains on her elastic. XD I should probably get something better..

 

The first time I strung my doll I used a metal wire .. But if u want the truth, pulling it hurts!! unless u are wearing some padded gloves...
Then I got Luts stringing tool and I love the handle,, just make life easier..

Don't waste money on shipping just to order it,, but if u are ordering a doll or lots of stuff from eluts, it will be good to add it to your basket..

Just my 2 cents

 

Or you could just wrap the wire around a pen or something similar and you would have a handle to grab.

- Therese

 

WHen you use the hemostat (artery clamp) does it damage the elastic? ALso do you rest the clamp - or any other metal thing - on the resin does it hurt it? because I used a crochet hook and it rested on the wrist resin and made a small dent. AARgh.

 

does anyone have a picture of this wire hanger implement? i can't imagine how it would look.

oh! by the way :3 i usually use a large cable tie. it's got teeth so it gives a good grip. it gets pretty painful though, so i'm look for something a little easier to hang onto.

 

Best things to restring with: wire and ribbon.

Use the wire to guide the ribbon through the parts, then use the ribbon to pull the elastic through. The ribbon is extremely strong, and it doesn't hurt your hand or fingers! Then you can use a pair of pliers or chopsticks (or in my case, my fingers, feet, and husband XD ) to hold the elastic out while you attach the ball joint and hands/feet.

The ribbon is also a lot easier because sometimes the wire comes unbent and the elastic snaps back through the parts and.. then it starts again. XD

 

I use satin rattail, like that ppl use for necklaces? slides in well and doesn't hurt my hands.

 

Something not to try. I done restring with hedge cutter wire. Not suggested. My hands are so horrible.

 

I use a vice clamp and a bent paperclip.

 

I used dental floss.... XDD Miyavi smelled like bubblegum for a week... XDD

 

I've just used a kids drinking straw! Sounds ridiculous but I used it to get my girls foot back on - was strong enough not to tear, and flexible enough to double up and pull through the ball of the foot part. If your desperate enough (and skint) try it....!

p.s. I haven't tried on bigger parts yet, just a foot

 

I use a length of green floral wire i think it is. My dad gave me it- he says he uses it for chritsmas decorations and stuff. But it's green, and really flexible. I just wrap one end over the elastic, drop the wire down the limb (it's really thin so it passes easily) and yank. Simple. And i use pens/pencils/etc to hold elastic for hands and feet. My friend has forcepts that she uses. But I like my wire/pen method.

 

I have used paperclips, hangers, ribbons, pens/pencils, twine and even a bra strap (not recommended!) to restring my dolls. Pretty much anything that is flexible, long and strong and won't hurt your hands to pull on it can be used.

 

I use a long thin piece of hemp twine. It's stiff enough and thin enough to easily thread through the joints but not sharp like ribbon that cuts into my hand. I even tried stringing tools and I still go back to my twine xD.

 

No matter what you use, putting a handle on it will save your hand. try using about a 3-inch long piece of plastic pipe; string your wire or ribbon or whatever through it and use the pipe to hold onto when you are pulling.

 

Generally I use some long resistant thread and a long sewing needle for wool.

 

I've found a nice shoelace works wonders for taking heads off and on, especially since I can never seem to get a good enough grip on the s-hook without tearing up my fingers. I tend to use the wide flat ones. They're really easy on the hands, super strong, and the ends are compacted and capped so there's no fraying to gum up the works like with ribbon

 

Packing rope, tweezers, leather ribbon and a heavy long needle.

I used to have some stringing tools but they break or bend too often.

 

I use ribbon or shoelaces and chopsticks

 

I've successfully restrung mine with a bit of wire from old headphones. The plug is especially handy to hang onto.

 

I've used wire, ribbon, and a shoe lace to restring, however I have a proper restringing tool now and I could not NOT live without it now.

 

I use wire that has the intended (but we never listen to that here on DOA now do we?) of flower arrangements. According to the thing its 26 gauge...

~Chaos

 

I use my stringing tool, sometimes.
But normally ribbon- I need some more of that though.
ALso, paper clips, unbent and into a hook shape, or hair grips/pins, and old over stretched string, lol

 

Wire, ribbon, hands, feet and sister.

The ribbon is NEVER too long.

 

yup ^^
except i don't use wire or ribbon
i use sewing thread doubed over a couple times

 

My magic tool for restringing: pipecleaners!

Pipecleaners can be easily threaded through the limbs because they are wire based. They are strong, don't break, and they are flexible. To save my hands I have "hemostats" (scissor like clamps, used in hospitals and by fishermen). I actually have five of them and on occasion have used 4 on just one body. They are a good investment, and a lifesaver.

 

i use either a yarn-n-large needle for my mnf's, fabric ribbon(not paper based ribbon)w/ large needle and/or 50-100lbs fishing line for some of my more demanding dolls.

 

At the craft store they sell that wire that you use to make wire jewelry, i had a bunch of it so i just cut a long piece and double it over the string and thread it through the pieces.
^_^ I wouldn't bother getting a volks re-stringing tool. I have broken one before and it doesn't seem worth it at all to have one when you can use practically anything to string it (within reason)

 

when i was in a bind, i just used thread. regular sewing thread. i threaded it through my sha's neck and around the elastic and then the other end back through the neck and PULL!

worked out ok. but i'd rather spend money on something more convenient...

 

Framing Wire is awesome. and like a buck.

 

You know what works for stringing a doll? It's called an Easy Threader and it's used to pull drawstrings through the hoods or waistbands of sweatshirts and coats and such. It's a long, flexible plastic "needle" with an eye on the end. I use it and a length of ribbon to put my dolls together, and it works like a charm.

I tried a restringing tool once, and when I was trying to string a doll the thing snapped apart and took a chunk out of my thumb. Never again. Ribbon is much safer and a lot less bloody. ^^;

 

I have used screwdrivers (to help pull the elastic out of leg joints then to hold it) and wire. However, I don't recommend using this when you're trying to replace your BJDs high-heeled feet with regular feet. Sliced open my finger on a S-Hook. D:

 

Yeah. I just tried replacing my DZ linlan's feet when the elastic went flying and caught my finger with the s-hook. I got blood all over her leg. Wonderful, ain't it?

 

14 gauge wire for the SDs, 20 gauge wire for the MSDs. Haven't had to restring a tiny yet. ^^;

 

I just use twist ties, like the longer ones used in packaging stuff. Sometimes I loop it through the elastic itself, but if the elastic's tighter I'll use the twist tie to thread a ribbon through.

 

Oh wow...so many great ideas!

I've just been using lengths of ribbon, safety pins and pliers to string my boy. The ribbon has been cutting into my hand though so as soon as I find my pipe cleaners, I'll try those for the next restringing .

 

I usually have a pair of forceps, 22 gauge wire a couple pieces of ribbon (or cross stitch thread). I tied the ribbon to the elastic and then pull the ribbon through the pieces with the wire.

 

I use shoelace, a bobby pin, and an unbent paper clip....it's working just fine, but it makes the process just a tiiiny bit longer.

 

I usually use a thin narrow ribbon. I tried sewing thread but it wasn't very strong and broke off the elastic and cut my finger

I know I used those necklace strings, the fabric ones that are on cheap necklaces. They are strong and the work good!

 

I've tried various clamps and pliers but i've also noticed many times leaning the sides of clamps/forceps while attatched to the elastic scratches and dents the resin and no matter how hard you try not to you slip you let go things like that my mother and i tried most things and found the best tool is a long length of thin ribbon or strong string threaded through the loop of the elastic. but if you have enough length you can thread all your dolly pieces on like beads and while the elastic is relaxed and then either tie the ribbon to something preferably wooden which is generally softer then resin or simply pull the ribbon it's self and then drag the elastic through. This also means if u can't hold on or slip the worst that happens is the elastic pings back doll is safe and still threaded for you to try again . This method also allows you to put s hooks on without trouble and unlike wire it's not stiff and won't get in the way and once your done you can just pull one end and it will slide through unlike if you tie things directly to the elastic.

 

I generally just use a long (very long...) piece of ribbon. The only bad thing about it is that it frays. I just double it around the elastic and drop it through the holes. I occassionally use tweezers or forceps to pull ribbon through the far arm hole because sometimes it's hard to drop it straight through the torso. Then when I've gotten down to the very last piece and I hook on the hand/foot, I can just pull the ribbon out without fighting with knots. I may switch to thin shoelaces or something though, to get around the fraying problem.

I've been able to string Carousel in twenty minutes with just a piece of ribbon *shrug* the floral wire I have isn't long enough to go through the long pieces of his legs doubled, and I don't trust a loop of it not to come unbent.

 

As has probably been said, I cast my vote for crochet hooks and Ribbon for threading through pieces.

 

I've used a latch hook XD

 

I use a combination of ribbon and thin paperclips x3 (The colored paperclips have a plastic coating for the color, so it makes it much easier and won't scratch your doll ;3)
Also I -always- have a crochet hook handy- they work wonders when an s-hook slips into a leg piece or something >>;;;

 

Not something everyone has kicking around the house, but it's easily found where I live, in the arctic: ice fishing line. I think the stuff I have is 75lb-test (yes, the fish here can get get that big) and it is soft on the hands and resin but not stretchy, stiff enuff to easily thread thru tiny channels but also flexible, and there is no way it will break no matter how hard I yoink on it!