modification Newbie DDH Customization

Hello! I thought I’d make a new post of this so I can update it with new things. I’m learning how to customize DDH ^^. I will show what I’ve learned so far. Here is the first pass of my heat pen ^^. I decided to go with Hakko My Pen Alpha since most of the learning material was based on it, but I think any pen that can get a low enough temperature should work. I sanded down the provided nibs, I did most of the work with a sanded down “knife” nib but it didn’t work the best! I also made the shavings too thick. If the shavings are too thick they won’t melt well and layer thickly. It’s important to have the vinyl melt to incorporate without it burning. The window between melting and burning is a little small, but if you follow the directions that Tsutomu-senpai provides it’s very easy. I’m using a damaged practice head ^^.

Here is some cleanup done with the shaved down standard stylus nib and sandpaper. Some of the vinyl rubs off probably because it’s not adhered well. The shaved down stylus nib works a lot better! Tsutomu has some nibs you can buy, or you can buy and sand your own. 

But I’m happy with my first attempt^^. The vinyl is pretty forgiving. It traps color from dust or burning easily. One eye took a couple hours.

I still need to get a few things before I can make more professional looking mods.

Edited February 22 by lossychan

I did a little more practice today ^^. It’s actually very easy to sit down and start modding, with faceups it takes a lot of preparation ><.  There’s still a lot of thickness around the eyes and mouth, I think the best way is to insert eyes and build into the eyelid hole using them as a barrier. For the mouth it’s probably the best to cut it and then smooth with vinyl thinner without much additive modding to create a smooth effect ^^. I’m getting some smoothing materials (vinyl thinner, pen sander, heat pen nibs) so it should be a little smoother in the future. 

Today’s practice ^^. I decided to use one of the new heads since I bought 3 more. After I get some smoothing tools I think it could be useable ^^.

awesome!

I really, really recommend Tsutomu Ch. Doll Master Tsutomu's channel for tips on customizing with the Hakko My Pen α, especially this video. My partner @rudebuster learned a lot about customization from him, and I think he'll help you create incredible work too! @rudebuster's own recommendation, which Tsutomu Ch. Doll Master Tsutomu doesn't mention on his channel, is the additional use of a mini-router; the one she uses is called Argo ART120 (like this one, but she bought hers at the actual Volks store). It has multiple tips you can buy and helps with sanding if you're still at a more basic level. So far, you're doing a great job, but there's always room for improvement! Even @rudebuster, who's creating beautiful work now, is constantly striving for better work. It's the continuous struggle for perfection!

On 4/21/2025 at 12:56 AM, cetuslupeedus said:

I really, really recommend Tsutomu Ch. Doll Master Tsutomu's channel for tips on customizing with the Hakko My Pen α, especially this video. My partner @rudebuster learned a lot about customization from him, and I think he'll help you create incredible work too! @rudebuster's own recommendation, which Tsutomu Ch. Doll Master Tsutomu doesn't mention on his channel, is the additional use of a mini-router; the one she uses is called Argo ART120 (like this one, but she bought hers at the actual Volks store). It has multiple tips you can buy and helps with sanding if you're still at a more basic level. So far, you're doing a great job, but there's always room for improvement! Even @rudebuster, who's creating beautiful work now, is constantly striving for better work. It's the continuous struggle for perfection!

Thank you! I ought to get one ^^.
Since this I have done 3 or 4 practices. 2 are with UV resin putty, one is with vinyl welding.

UV resin putty is fun! But it is weak for the eye holes, so I think I will stick to soft vinyl welding for the eyes. 

But I have purchased a stronger pen sander and sanding sponges up to 1500 grit (I also bought lots of sand paper and sponges I have been using)^^. So I should be able to sand the vinyl easier now. I also have diamond files now, and the heat pen nibs Tsutomu reccomends . I purchased a cheap one first that wasn’t strong enough for the vinyl. So I might be able to smooth and finish the heads ^^.

Edited May 17 by lossychan

Fascinating. I've never actually seen how this is done. I always wondered about it.