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Flying Fur StudiosHey guys. Trying to finish a teddy today and have a question about the joints.
I really want this bear to be able to stand. The legs and feet are just right for it, but I want a good tight joint. All I have are disks and cotter pins so I know that the size of the joint is going to be very important here. Larger the better right?
So, because the larger the joint you can fit, the better, is it okay to put a large disk inside the body? Obviously I can fit a much larger disk into the body, than what will fit in the leg or arm. Is this a good idea, or should both disks be the same size.
For some reason I just can't picture what the outcome will be.
Thanks
Heather
USse the biggest joints possible, but I'd recommend they match in limb and body. Otherwise you will get an odd, flat-planed area on the body, which isn't "covered" by the leg disk area.
Use a CROWN JOINT, rather than a snail joint, to fold down your cotter pins; and then do what Winney does, and use your pliers to crimp those curls tight against one another, for further protection against unfurling.
I sometimes stuff and close the legs BEFORE the body when I want to be sure my critter will stand. Sometimes that helps, because it creates a kind of "wedge" at the crotch area (hey, that sounds painful!), between the legs, which helps your bear stay upright. If you do the body first, you can be left with very little "give" in terms of stuffing the upper thigh area, and you really need all that stuff to be tight and well fit together. It's easier, in my opinion, to get that tight fit if you do the legs first.
Good luck!
Check this link for more info and opinions, and for a diagram of crown vs. snail joints for use with cotter pins.
I try to use the largest disc possible...but sometimes I do use a slightly larger disc inside the body...for the legs only...and then only slightly larger. I do find it helps with 'splaying'. I don't seem to get flat areas...but then I'm talking millimetres bigger...not inches.
I glue all my joints in the limbs and stuff and assemble them, close the openings. I did put an insert in the foot once for a standing bear..then used glass beads and very firm stuffing...he did stand very well.
Jenny
Past Time BearsSince I use locknuts/bolts instead of cotter pins, I won't be of much use . . . but you can get a really tight joint with them. Then I stuff the legs VERY firmly - especially at the ankles.
Matilda Huggington-beareThanks for the link Shelli.
I do as Jenny does. You spoke about this before Jenny. Thats where I picked it up from. I've found since doing it your way 'a slightly larger disk inside' I've had no problems with standing bears. They have a certain balance to them that was missing before. And doing it this way I've found that my bears are more poseable. They sit & stand. So thankyou Jenny. :hug: I also only use bolts. Cotterpins I only use in my aged bears. 
Flying Fur StudiosThanks guys, You've saved me!!
I might have a disk that is slightly bigger for the body. If not I'll use the same sized disk.
Thanks for the link Shelli. Haven't tried a crown joint yet. Hopefully I don'dt break the pin trying :lol:
Heather
