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Head swap experts: Help needed >>

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 27, 2022, 4:37 pm

I have done a few successful headswaps in the past, but don't do them often and must be forgetting some finer points. The story:

I'm removing IT Gene heads from yellowed Gene bodies and replacing them onto the IT Gene replacement bodies.

No problem removing the heads. (Well, a few knobs MAY have ended up in a few heads, but you gotta break a few eggs, amirite?...)

But I can't get the heads fully onto the new bodies.

To heat the head, I'm using both heating pad & blow dryer. I hold the blow dryer spout about 1-2" away from the hole for about 1 minute.

The knob goes into the head's outer hole fine, but push as I might, the knob doesn't seem to make it through the head's second smaller inner hole, even with a lot of head mashing/squashing.

Did I get the hole too hot?

I realize this is tough to troubleshoot via words, but any help appreciated.

Tom

When i really need to stretch the head hole…

Posted by Donna in FL <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Donna+in+FL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 1, 2022, 8:53 pm, in reply to "Head swap experts: Help needed >>"

I have a stainless turkey baster and a super tiny curling iron (for curling AD hair btw) and I shove the narrow end of the baster in the neck hole, slip the hot iron inside the baster, then let it sit until the hole gets soft. Then I push the baster up as far as I can to stretch the hole, pull it out, then quickly push the head on the donor body.

Thanks! Sadly, I own neither of those implements. Looks like I’ll be paying someone. More to come! <

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 1, 2022, 9:33 pm, in reply to "When i really need to stretch the head hole…"

Links to ones I got on Amazon…

Posted by Donna in FL <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Donna+in+FL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2022, 2:18 pm, in reply to "Thanks! Sadly, I own neither of those implements. Looks like I’ll be paying someone. More to come! <"

Baster
Home Servz Deluxe 304 Stainless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073SWVH1C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Curling iron
Hot and Hotter Gold Ceramic Curling Iron 1/4'' Barrel Size … https://a.co/d/8FDq9qq

That’s very helpful, Donna. Thank you. :) <

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2022, 2:26 pm, in reply to "Links to ones I got on Amazon…"

Happy to help. Best of luck!

Posted by Donna in FL <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Donna+in+FL' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on July 2, 2022, 2:31 pm, in reply to "That’s very helpful, Donna. Thank you. :) <"

I have used a small blade to cut away part of the inner opening...

Posted by Dennis in IN <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Dennis+in+IN' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Head swap experts: Help needed >>"

It works, and needs less heating to get the head onto the knob and less force...just be careful to not cut away TOO much...I did that on a couple...they work fine, but the heads move around loosely, but still can pose for a photo...

Dennis in IN

Dennis in Indiana

Thanks, Dennis. Looks like surgery will be required, lol. :) <<

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 12:56 pm, in reply to "I have used a small blade to cut away part of the inner opening..."

Here is how to get that broken ball out of a head -

Posted by Bryan <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Bryan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 27, 2022, 11:24 pm, in reply to "Head swap experts: Help needed >>"

You will need a pair of needle nose pliers, like you use bend wire.

The black base to an Ashton Drake Stand

Soften the head by warming in heating pad for about 30 minutes. While the head is still soft and warm, push it down over the stand knob where the clear stand attaches. What you are attempting to do is to enlarge the hole (it is only temporary).

When the head is cool and solid again, pull it off the stand and you will have greater access to the knob. Use the pliers by putting the pointed end into the hole in the button and it pries out rather easily. Just reheat the head, and it goes back to normal for attaching to another body!

Bryan in Florida
aka periodsoftime on Ebay
bryanphopper@aol.com

That sounds like a potential way to increase the hole size to get the head on a new body

Posted by Marcia of Facets <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Marcia+of+Facets' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Here is how to get that broken ball out of a head - "

If the hold is large enough, you can get it over the new neck knob and then heat it to decrease the hole size.

You can find it at Facets!
http://www.facetsboutique.com

Why do I need to get the broken ball out of the head? >>

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 10:38 am, in reply to "Here is how to get that broken ball out of a head - "

I don't care about the rattling. Is there a functional problem with leaving it in?

Tom

Had this happen once, I just opted to leave it in there.

Posted by Debra in Texas <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Debra+in+Texas' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 30, 2022, 6:29 pm, in reply to "Why do I need to get the broken ball out of the head? >>"

Be the reason someone smiles today!!

I have a few Gene maracas - get enough of them and form a mariachi band!

Posted by Marcia of Facets <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Marcia+of+Facets' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Why do I need to get the broken ball out of the head? >>"

You can find it at Facets!
http://www.facetsboutique.com

LOL. :) <<

Posted by Tom in CA <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Tom+in+CA' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 2:25 pm, in reply to "I have a few Gene maracas - get enough of them and form a mariachi band!"

That's a good tip! Thanks.

Posted by Flamingomoon <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Flamingomoon' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 28, 2022, 7:41 am, in reply to "Here is how to get that broken ball out of a head - "

One suggestion

Posted by Ohiostar <iframe src='https://members7.boardhost.com/TheStudioComm/info/user=Ohiostar' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 27, 2022, 7:09 pm, in reply to "Head swap experts: Help needed >>"

which you may already know, but it's worked for me. When you remove the head, push down on it first and then take it off. Someone here gave me this tip, pushing down opens the neck hole a bit more and makes it easier to get the head back on the new body.

Sorry if this is pretty basic , but I found it helpful.

Great tip! These heads are already off. :( Next time! <

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