Cool Cat Reinforcements on a One-Piece Torso

Hello.

I haven't been able to find all the information I need about this so I wanted to ask here.

How exactly can I put on the Cool Cat Reinforcement parts on a DDS with a One-Piece Torso? I mean since it is all in one piece and can't be separated. I am mostly wondering about the shoulder and neck parts.

If someone can explain it in detail to me, and if possible with pictures or video, that would be great.

You just pull everything including the upper frame out from below, you'll have to wiggle a lot, goes easier if you heat up the waist with a hairdryer I guess but I never bother. Helps if you have long fingers, there's a lot of trying to grab ahold of the upper frame.

I put reinforcement parts on Melty's one-piece DDS body. I had to heat up the entire torso with a blowdryer, and then I wiggled the entire frame out through one of the thigh holes (obviously you need to detach the legs first). It took a while and involved a lot of cursing.

I don't think the neck parts are necessary :/ I thought they made those for the DD2 bodies that didn't have as much mobility (couldn't look up as much). The DD3 neck part is curved and doesn't have that problem (DDS too I think).

 

For the other reinforcements, if the body's a newer one (like 2014, or maybe late 2013), it probably doesn't need the reinforcements; there hasn't been stories of joints breaking in a while.

I don't think the neck parts are necessary :/ I thought they made those for the DD2 bodies that didn't have as much mobility (couldn't look up as much). The DD3 neck part is curved and doesn't have that problem (DDS too I think).

 

For the other reinforcements, if the body's a newer one (like 2014, or maybe late 2013), it probably doesn't need the reinforcements; there hasn't been stories of joints breaking in a while.

I don't know about the CoolCat neck joint, but the replacement neck joint that Grayforce makes provides better mobility than the default DD3/DDS one.

 

As for the others, might just as well play it safe since it's a minor investment and doesn't hurt, I have seen newer frames/hips get cracked.

I was able to put the shoulder reinforcements on the DDS without pulling the frame out, but depending on the frame model this can be easy or hard.

 

On this type of frame you see how the shoulder is not solid all the way in, so it can go in at an angle and then it can get stuck part way in. https://www.volks.co.jp/page_ex.jsp?CONTROLID=SC0040&BUSINESSID=InitDisp&jancd=4518992386287&version=en

 

On that type frame it was much easier to put them on my DD3 torso frame with the frame removed than it was to put them on my one piece DDS torso with the frame inside. I still think it would be easier than removing the frame, but you have to install it very evenly as it slides in and it is a tight fit going in so it's not easy to make the pressure even.

 

Aluminum is soft so if you put it in and it got stuck you can't just grab it with a pair of pliers to pull it out. The teeth will scratch the aluminum and then it might damage the doll. You could maybe use a piece of fabric to protect the aluminum from the teeth of the pliers.

Edited January 21, 2015 by Guest

I've found that the one piece torsos are a lot sturdier than you'd think, the vinyl might seem to stretch when you pull the frame out but the few times I've done it it's been all fine after putting it back in with the reinforcements on. It was rather nerve-racking the first time though. As for the process itself, I did pretty much the same thing as mentioned above by both waha and Cauldroness.

Sorry for such a late reply. I have been quite busy this past week with preparing for my first Dollfie's arrival.

 

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all your answers.

 

I might get more questions about this topic when I get the Dollfie and if so I hope it's okay that I ask them in here, but for now I know what I need to know so thank you again.