Vinyl dolls VS Resin dolls -- Needing some advice

[K2!]

Not to diminish the art required to make resin molds, the high temperatures necessary to mold many plastics requires metal molds that won't warp during continued temperature changes. Simpler plaster molds are sufficient to withstand the heat produced by the exothermic reaction of curing resin. Although I'm sure the doll companies use something more durable than plaster for their molds, but still a material easier to work than steel or bronze.
Zirconmermaid, here on this board, has extensive experience with molding resin parts. She can speak to the relative simplicity of the process. She can also tell you how tricky it can be sometimes.

One thing to remember is that Obitsu is primarily a plastic manufacturer. They will take just about anyone's designs and produce their plastic toy products. Being just the manufacturer means they have less financial risk. When approached with a project they can say that will cost XX dollars and ask to be paid up front before manufacturing begins and all their costs are covered. With their doll line, they incur the financial burden of paying for everything before any product is sold. And if it doesn't sell, it's a financial loss. So there is less financial impetus for them to come out with new designs every few months. Let other companies (Parabox, Yamato, Visuadoll, Volks, Seedring- all companies Obitsu has made plastic/vinyl BJDs for) take the financial risk.

Here's a link to the Obitsu site and a quick step by step of their mold making process.
http://www.obitsu.co.jp/eng/seisaku/fr_seisaku.html

[delbelcoure]

Neat info K2! My husband runs a hobby foundry, so I almost understood Obitsu's process.
Susan

[Linsilee]

I agree....some great information that I didn't know. I love learning stuff like this. Thanks for sharing it.

[Llwynog]

Neat info K2.

With a little creativity one can put a resin head on a 1/3 Obitsu too. It does make them a bit top heavy.

Nino Bada head on an Obitsu 50 body.

DIM Minimee Miyave head also on the Obitsu 50 body.

I've also seen Pullip heads on an Obitsu 50 and a shortened 60. There may be other franken-doll possiblilities out there too.

[cirquemom]

Okay, I use Superglue to attach the velcro to the resin or vinyl HEAD CAP. I SEW the other side of the velcro onto the wig. I would not superglue the velcro to the wig- it would seep through and glue the hair as well.

And yes, maybe K2! and I use superglue to glue the velcro to the doll's head, but AT LEAST it doesn't get all soft and come loose in hot surroundings (*cough* Fresno*cough*).

As for vinyl vs. resin- I have both, and I like both. Resin is really beautiful and as greyhaunt pointed out, there is a huge selection of heads. But vinyl poses like a dream, and I find it is more expressive because you can pose without having to worry about elastics snapping, or joints buckling, etc. Once an Obitsu is posed, it is POSED. I do a lot of what I call "Hit and run" photography- grabbing really fast shots, a lot of times in public places, and Obitsus are great for that because you pose them, get the shot, and move on.

DOA is okay- in fact, it is better than it used to be. Just find a friendly thread and stick with that. Whatever you do, don't get involved in the "Cheap Chinese Dolls VS. Expensive Japanese DOlls" arguments, or the "Are you an elitist?" arguements. Unless you enjoyed being annoyed to within a inch of your wit's end by unending arguments that go on for years and years and years with no resolution. It is a great place to research dolls, though, and to find owner pictures of dolls.

[cirquemom]

Let other companies .........Seedring- all companies Obitsu has made plastic/vinyl BJDs for) take the financial risk.

DON'T. SAY. SEEDRING!!

[arrowchild]

moonwillow-no worries! MSC UV cut is a spray, used to seal face-ups etc and can be sprayed as a protective coating.

K2-lol...well, yes, I know that it's less than 1/2, literally. And, although I was aware of the points you brought up, it was nice to have an in depth explaination of the vinyl mold making process-thanks so much for posting the info and the link!