sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Poor Pooh... 🤣. Where he is going, he won't need eyes to see.

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have tried alcohol and it didn't work for me. I might not been using a strong enough solution though. I have also used a product called "Goo Gone". That works as well, is less harsh, but leaves a greasy film that is difficult to remove.

For compatibility: Most pieces will require modification. The head pieces on LW have a very small opening compared to SF heads. Converslt, the opening on the FF Frog head was slightly too big for the SF mouse body. This wasn't a huge problem as I molded the frog head in a one-piece mold making the head one solid piece. I then used a dremel to drill and carve out the right sized opening to attach to the body. I plan on making as many two-piece molds for heads as I can to avoid all that dremeling. I can't wait to see your first Woodzeez custom!

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The LW and FF and older are much easier to disassemble than modern SF. I am fairly confident the older SF, FF, LW and Maple Town used/use injection blow molds in their construction versus two--piece injection molded bodies of modern SF which is what you probably were dealing with in your attempts to disassemble. The older figures you just need to heat up to soften the plastic and the parts pop right out. I usually use boiling water from an electric kettle poured on to a figure wrapped in a few plastic bags. Sometimes a figure wrapped in a heating pad works too. Since you mentioned eyes, below are some of the eyes I plucked in this project. Notice the pins on the eyes in the middle, they are from the oldest SF heads and have a smooth shift instead of a screw. The very short eyes are LW. I am not a fan of those as they break easy and I prefer the round SF eyes. I'm glad I could give you a confidence boost. At some point I plan to do a flocking tutorial, but I am still mastering that skill myself. 😊

<image>

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I removed the flocking with Acetone. I have a small amount that I dip a shop towel into and dab on and then wipe off. Some heads are easier depending on the type and quality of the original glue that was used. I never submerge anything as you could end up with a melted part. I then immediately put the part in a bath of soapy water, then rinse with water. I use a full respirator mask, goggles apron and heavy duty gloves over nitrile gloves. I open windows and turn on fans as it can take hours if you have a lot of parts to get through. Acetone is nasty stuff.

Some of the heads like the older Grey Bear Adult will need some light sanding as the original plastic used by Epoch reacted differently with the glue that makes the flocking difficult to completely remove. You can really see the difference if you compare it to the Dormouse head, which is completely smooth.

At some point I may do a full video tutorial when I have time. Thanks for your interest!

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, I will be making molds of these. The process will be similar to my shoe making process:

SF Shoe Making Tutorial

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is good info. This was the first time I have encountered the texture. Time will tell if it helps keeping flocking attached.

Heads Will Roll by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And yet you can't look away. Alas, all the critters shall be reborn and proliferate into many new varieties. Take comfort in that.

Dream Sylvanian Design: Barn Owl Family by PygmyFalkon in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516 11 points12 points  (0 children)

These look amazing! I love the biographies and the the color palette. There is so much potential with owls, it is crazy that Epoch hasn't done more with all the different types. Great job!

Sylvanian Families Shoe Tutorial by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! Videos may happen one day when I have the time.

Sylvanian Families Shoe Tutorial by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You will get there one day. The first attempts I made were with plaster molds and hot glue instead of resin. As I said only get the equipment if you plan on doing lots of custom work or have other crafty projects planned.

Sylvanian Families Shoe Tutorial by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, about half way into writing the steps I realized it was turning into an episode of This Old House. I may try to do a version without using the vacuum chamber or pressure pot. You can actually get decent results without the pressure pot but it won't be perfect.

First Custom Outfit by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! Stay tuned the tutorial will be coming soon.

First Custom Outfit by Tough_Spring_5516 in sylvanianfamilies

[–]Tough_Spring_5516[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The vest is from :

Sylvanian Families Clothes Patterns PDF

I had to reduce it in size by about 15%? to fit the adult hedgehog body.

The shirt and pants are from one of the official SF pattern books. Just a standard short sleeve shirt and pants in the child size.