Back to basics after a busy year

[RedQueen21]

After a wild '24 full of trades and secondhand deals, I'm slowing down this fall and focusing on finishing what I started. I've got a Smart Doll Salidane on a DDB body and I'm still piecing together armor for my MDD custom. My cousin in Seattle sent me a few spare wigs and a set of goggles that might work for Rum but I'm still short one pair for Bex. I'm skipping new releases for now and putting energy into faceups and photo sets. If anyone has tips for posing mechanical hands without stressing the wrist joints, I'm all ears!

 

[Purple Keisha]

Yes, slow down and relax a bit. When you are working on posing mechanical hands, you have to approach the joints with patience. You can try gently heating the hand parts with a hairdryer or a warm towel for a minute or two before you start to adjust the pose. This can help make the plastic more pliable and reduce the chance of putting strain on the wrist joints. Another strategy is to not force the hands into extreme positions. Find the natural resting points for each joint and work within that range. A lot of great poses come from subtle movements rather than dramatic twists. Take your time with each adjustment will help you preserve the doll's condition while creating the perfect look for your photo sets.

 

[_mikotse]

After a wild '24 full of trades and secondhand deals, I'm slowing down this fall and focusing on finishing what I started. I've got a Smart Doll Salidane on a DDB body and I'm still piecing together armor for my MDD custom. My cousin in Seattle sent me a few spare wigs and a set of goggles that might work for Rum but I'm still short one pair for Bex. I'm skipping new releases for now and putting energy into faceups and photo sets. If anyone has tips for posing mechanical hands without stressing the wrist joints, I'm all ears!

Move your fingers one by one, being gentle with the joints. Think about switching hands. Keep one set looking good on display and use the other for photos.

 

[RedQueen21]

Thanks for both replies. I saw that you both mentioned being gentle with the joints, which matches what I've been trying to do during setup. The heating tip is new to me, so I'll try the warm towel method before my next posing session. I usually use the same pair of mechanical hands for all my shoots, so keeping one set in good shape and using another for more dynamic poses makes sense. I'll probably start rotating them once I finish Bex's gear and begin shooting the whole group. Have either of you noticed if heating them repeatedly changes the finish or flexibility over time?

 

[hannah.cate]

Thanks for both replies. I saw that you both mentioned being gentle with the joints, which matches what I've been trying to do during setup. The heating tip is new to me, so I'll try the warm towel method before my next posing session. I usually use the same pair of mechanical hands for all my shoots, so keeping one set in good shape and using another for more dynamic poses makes sense. I'll probably start rotating them once I finish Bex's gear and begin shooting the whole group. Have either of you noticed if heating them repeatedly changes the finish or flexibility over time?

From my experience, gentle heating with a warm towel a few times hasn’t noticeably affected the finish or flexibility, as long as the temperature isn’t too high, you just have to keep it moderate

 

[RedQueen21]

Thanks, @hannah.cate. I'm glad to know gentle heat is safe. With the hands taken care of, I can get back to finishing the armor for my MDD.

 

[Alan]

Nice to see you refocusing on finishing projects @RedQueen21 , looking forward to seeing those photo sets when you're done!