Replacement Hand Skeletons
This hand skeleton is designed to replace the factory palm plate and finger wires used in TPE dolls.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ!
Hand skeletons are now available in two sizes - large (6-1/2" hands), and small (5-1/2" hands).
Hand length is measured from tip of middle finger to wrist joint.
Doll must also have the clevis wrist joint and palm plate design as shown below.
This skeleton will not work for mini dolls or dolls with wire wrists.
This modification requires extensive surgery so please review the tutorial and YouTube videos below so you know what you are getting into.
Installation Part 1 - Tools needed, making the incision and removing the old finger wires.
Installation Part 2 - Removing the old palm plate, inserting the new fingers and installing new plate.
Installation Part 3 - Sealing up the incision and some final thoughts on the finished result.
Here are a couple of installation threads on the Doll Forum that may also be of help...
Additional hardware items needed
Please note that i.materialise only makes the printed parts so you will need the proper hardware and wire to complete the skeleton. Please make sure you can obtain the hardware items listed below before you order the parts from i.materialise.
Eye Bolt Options
There are three eye bolt options - the U.S. standard #204 and the metric M6 x 30mm or 35mm.
The longer M6 x 35mm is for use with the nylok nut palm plate option.
For U.S. the #204 is inexpensive and is available at hardware stores. The M6 is less common and more expensive, but offers a smaller eye that will fit the M6 wrist bolt without an insert. The smaller size may also make the TPE repair at the wrist a little easier.
Where to buy the eye bolts:
Recommended hardware for the Nylok nut palm plate option:
M6 x 35mm eye bolt - ACCU (UK based) M6 x 35mm - McMaster Carr
Note: Use standard height nylok nuts (6mm tall):
M6 nylok nuts - ACCU (UK based) M6 nylok nuts - Home Depot
Note: Use standard height nylok nuts (6mm tall):
M6 nylok nuts - ACCU (UK based) M6 nylok nuts - Home Depot
Where to buy the small sheet metal screws:
You'll need a minimum of 50 small screws to do both hands.
Also, it's recommended to paint the gray parts with a flesh color acrylic paint so the color doesn't show through thin TPE. The fingers fit snug in the palm plate, so you'll want to paint it while it's assembled. Just apply a thin coat to change the color and avoid getting paint in the joint areas.
Also, it's recommended to paint the gray parts with a flesh color acrylic paint so the color doesn't show through thin TPE. The fingers fit snug in the palm plate, so you'll want to paint it while it's assembled. Just apply a thin coat to change the color and avoid getting paint in the joint areas.
Recommended wire: 14-AWG stranded copper THHN
You can usually buy this by the foot at places like Home Depot or Lowes in the U.S. Common brand names are Cerrowire and Southwire. You will need at least 25"(63.5cm) of wire for 10 fingers (ten 2.5" long pieces). Please note that the automotive type "primary wire" will not work for this design - it needs to be THHN which is commonly known as "building wire".
Where to buy (U.S.): Lowes McMaster Carr
Here is an eBay seller that ships worldwide and sells in small 5' and 10' lengths.
Ennis Electronics: 5' length 10' length eBay store
For those in Europe, 6491X 1.5mm conduit wire (1.5mm strand size) works very nicely for posing, but has not been tested for durability. It has fewer thicker strands and no nylon outer sheath so I'm not sure how long it will last with lots of bending.
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