How to Get Stiff Joints on Your Bears

In our last Bear Bee live hang out, we talked a little about cotter pin joints versus bolts and lock nut joints.

Cotter pin joints can be very easy to do, but the resulting joint is often a slightly loose – yet secure – joint.

I usually use bolts and lock nuts for my bears that measure 6″ and up (with the exception of my “Pocket Bear Collection”.

On a bear this small, you need to use bolts that are narrow.  Here in the US, I use 1/8″ tapbolts.  I get mine from Edinburgh Imports.  I’ll include links to the products.

For the limbs I use the 3/4″ bolts.  https://www.edinburghimports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3038_3040&products_id=8545

If I’m using a bolt in the neck, I use the longer 1 1/4″ bolt:  https://www.edinburghimports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3038_3040&products_id=8966

You will use this nut for either bolt:  https://www.edinburghimports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3038_3040&products_id=8553

Use either the W1 or W3 washer (I use the W1)

W1: https://www.edinburghimports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3038_3040&products_id=8537

W3: https://www.edinburghimports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3038_3040&products_id=8539

If you live in England you use a different measurement system.  The small bolts are called M3.  Both Bear Basics and Christie Bears carry them:

Bear Basics Bolts & Nuts:  https://www.bearbasics.co.uk/nuts-amp-bolts/p106

Bear Basics Washers:  https://www.bearbasics.co.uk/washers/p105

Christie Bears sells them in complete sets of bolts, nuts and washers:  https://www.christiebears.com/acatalog/Nuts-Bolts-and-Washers.html