The MLP Arena

Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: achab1984 on November 02, 2012, 11:56:00 AM

Title: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: achab1984 on November 02, 2012, 11:56:00 AM
I am going to try a hand at fixing some of my childhood ponies that have next to no hair.
I did find how to do the tail with a wire and fold the hair in half and use zip ties to hold the hair in. That looks really really easy.

What I was wondering is what size of need should I get? Or should I have more then one size?  Where could I get good ones at for a even better price? I am on a budget.

What else do I need besides the hair, needle, zip ties, sissors? I am not sure how to do the name thing yet.

Any help would be awesome :)

Thank you
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: BarbedDragon on November 02, 2012, 12:13:28 PM
I'm not sure if you are doing the needle and thread method, or the tool method. I started off doing the wire method which was much easier than the thread method (to me) and I was less frustrated with it.

I also found that spraying the hair with water helped with making plugs easier (and with less waste and tangles!)

Here's a link to how to do it with wire:
http://www.aikarin.com/mlp/customs/rerooting.html

All re-roots take a little time to learn how much hair to use, don't give up!
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: Kitkumi on November 02, 2012, 12:25:13 PM
I grab my needles from hobby lobby (or other craft stores, lol) when they are on sale. I never pay attention to the sizes, but I have noticed that a needle about the size of the holes in the head work great, so you may want to take a pony head along with you to compare. Also, like BarbedDragon said, water is a must. I just keep a little bowl of it on my work station, touch the surface of the water lightly, and then just run my fingers down the plug I'm working with. Keeps it together and makes it so easy to work with. The best tool I have found is using an x-acto knife, sans knife part lol. If you have one where the head grips the blade with a single open slot (  l  compared to  X  ) it works GREAT for holding the needle (sorry, I can't explain that any better lol)
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: kaoskat on November 02, 2012, 12:26:59 PM
That tutorial BarbedDragon posted seems to have what you'll need. It's really rather easy once you get the hang of it. I look forward to seeing your first ponies!
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: achab1984 on November 02, 2012, 12:32:31 PM
Thank you for the link, that is how I am going to try it :)

That tutorial BarbedDragon posted seems to have what you'll need. It's really rather easy once you get the hang of it. I look forward to seeing your first ponies!

I cant wait and yes I will show them off :) I am going to start with hair and then work to something else when I feel good with this. :)

Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: mlp4me on November 02, 2012, 12:38:45 PM
I use beading needles from hobby lobby (they're approx 5-6" long). They usually last me 2-3 heads each, they're $3.50ish for 4.
I've tried the rooting tool, but it just doesn't work for me.

You could also glue the plugs in after you replace them. Fabric tack works well but takes awhilie to dry... To apply glue I use a paint brush, non-brush end to get into the skull cavity.
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: achab1984 on November 02, 2012, 12:51:05 PM
I use beading needles from hobby lobby (they're approx 5-6" long). They usually last me 2-3 heads each, they're $3.50ish for 4.
I've tried the rooting tool, but it just doesn't work for me.

You could also glue the plugs in after you replace them. Fabric tack works well but takes awhilie to dry... To apply glue I use a paint brush, non-brush end to get into the skull cavity.

Thank you, I was wondering how the hair would stay in place. 

Does anyone know that link to that color changing hair site? It had to do with differnt temps.
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: Maniah on November 02, 2012, 01:39:45 PM
Retrodollus.com has thermal color changing hair. I love it :)
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: rybett on November 02, 2012, 02:01:15 PM
Agree, the thermal hair is so much fun!  Even funnier now because it is different colors as you are putting it in.  Darn cold hands!
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: achab1984 on November 02, 2012, 02:56:50 PM
Retrodollus.com has thermal color changing hair. I love it :)

Thank you :)
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: PhyllieBean on November 03, 2012, 06:33:35 AM
Just a tip, if you do wind up using a rooting tool and happen to break needles all the time like I do:  They sell a multi pack of needles at the dollar store that have several of the large size needles I use in my tool.  I get mine at Dollar General, but I'm willing to bet most dollar stores have them.  There's a few pieces I never use, like the curved needle, but for the 3 or 4 pieces that I can cut down and use in my tool it's totally worth a buck! 
Title: Re: I am new to this and have questions???
Post by: achab1984 on November 06, 2012, 07:19:25 AM
Thank you for the info!
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