[Sinzo]

Those armatures are legit - I've bought some CL varients from Taobao before for $1.50 each - the actual cost is mostly the shipping with the forwarding agent.
 
I've been away for a while , and during that time I compiled a list of materials from Taobao, using these would significantly reduce the cost of building.
 
UV RESIN:
https://world.taobao.com/item/520859843822.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.14.ypTMwP&id=520859843822&scm=1007.12006.46753.i524532756944&pvid=db43fb5d-cc40-4843-a09b-7bfa524e544e
 
Faceplate:
https://world.taobao.com/item/41606920004.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.201601086188259.7.8dVovR&scm=1007.12679.24488.41606920004
 
Litz Wire: 
https://world.taobao.com/item/41545951555.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.18.8dVovR&id=41545951555&scm=1007.12006.46753.i41395868371&pvid=03191cda-777d-4af3-91cc-86a8473dde14
 
Dampners:
https://world.taobao.com/item/536468160666.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.201601086188259.5.XsIisJ&scm=1007.12679.20634.536468160666
 
Connectors:
https://world.taobao.com/item/536395514913.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.15.wJ8voO&id=536395514913&scm=1007.12006.46753.i536468160666&pvid=a19c5d96-4ff9-4c6d-96cc-302441c337b9
 
Armatures
https://shop543960977.world.taobao.com/?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.3.aTxlQP
 
and
 
https://shop112206815.world.taobao.com/?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.3.5gXABz
 
 
UV RESIN CONTAINER FOR EXCESS:
https://world.taobao.com/item/44194145224.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-8607859662.35.qCXLxm
 
 
IMPRESSION CONTAINER FOR DUBLIERMASSE:
https://world.taobao.com/item/39487753480.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.201601086188259.6.luWHuE&scm=1007.12679.24488.39487753480
 
DIY STARTER KIT FOR CIEMS:
https://world.taobao.com/item/530238486872.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-8607859662.71.gPR6yo
 
IMPRESSION SILICONE:
https://world.taobao.com/item/529190448330.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.201601086188259.8.luWHuE&scm=1007.12679.24488.529190448330
 
UV RESIN DYE:
https://world.taobao.com/item/524532756944.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.15.ztKpLZ&id=524532756944&scm=1007.12006.46753.i520862283438&pvid=932b5f7f-a56c-443b-a627-fc1538b8c581
 
 
PS: Is anyone able to read Chinese? If so, could you translate this bill of materials?
https://world.taobao.com/item/530238486872.htm?fromSite=main&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-8607859662.71.gPR6yo

 

[Xymordos]

Translated as follows:-

• UV Resin 50g
• Agar gel 200g
• Cleaning liquid (for UV resin) 50ml
• Thermometer x1
• The UV polish thing you apply on the shell at the end to make it shiny 3ml
• Wax 100g
• Injector (for the ear mold) x1
• Think this is the cotton thing you stick in your ear before taking impressions (3 pairs)
• UV Lamp x1
• Cup to put the agar gel in to get your negative mold (1 pair)
• 3 different coarseness of sandpaper
• hook to get your impressions out of the agar gel x1
• blu-tak x1
• Coloring dye for UV resin (3 colors)
• Mixing bottle for UV dye x3

 
The numbers to the right of the materials are prices in RMB

 

[Emiliano]

thanks

 

[omgflyingbanana]

  Translated as follows:-

• UV Resin 50g
• Agar gel 200g
• Cleaning liquid (for UV resin) 50ml
• Thermometer x1
• The UV polish thing you apply on the shell at the end to make it shiny 3ml
• Wax 100g
• Injector (for the ear mold) x1
• Think this is the cotton thing you stick in your ear before taking impressions (3 pairs)
• UV Lamp x1
• Cup to put the agar gel in to get your negative mold (1 pair)
• 3 different coarseness of sandpaper
• hook to get your impressions out of the agar gel x1
• blu-tak x1
• Coloring dye for UV resin (3 colors)
• Mixing bottle for UV dye x3

 
The numbers to the right of the materials are prices in RMB

Damn, that's actually quite inexpensive. You pretty much have everything you need. If I'm reading correctly the only thing they don't have is the impression material?

 

[Xymordos]

Oops they do have it, I missed an item in the translation, this is the correct one in the correct order as they appear:-

• UV Resin 50g
• Agar gel 200g
• Cleaning liquid (for UV resin) 50ml
• Thermometer x1
• The UV polish thing you apply on the shell at the end to make it shiny 3ml
• Wax 100g
• The impression "paste" - so the stuff you use to make impressions with - 50g
• Injector (for the ear mold) x1
• Think this is the cotton thing you stick in your ear before taking impressions (3 pairs)
• UV Lamp x1
• Cup to put the agar gel in to get your negative mold (1 pair)
• 3 different coarseness of sandpaper
• hook to get your impressions out of the agar gel x1
• blu-tak x1
• Coloring dye for UV resin (3 colors)
• Mixing bottle for UV dye x3

 

[Sinzo]

Thanks! I was just curious because I saw a thread made by a guy who used a similar DIY package.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/817125/my-first-diy-custom-iems
 
It seems we can significantly reduce start up costs via materials from China.
 
The armatures I've bought from there are decent, and cross overs are very cheap, and easy to find.
 
I found an UM3X one which may be interesting, https://world.taobao.com/item/537292431405.htm?spm=a312a.7728556.2015080705.15.epTQ9M&id=537292431405&scm=1007.12006.46753.i525852684057&pvid=2f39e258-cc40-48db-a126-237b72b39ed3
 
 
Edit: SO the package I've found is about $50 - with around $30 in shipping you have everything you need aside from armatures - which can be bought from Mouser, Digikey. Taobao is also a source of armatures - but they may be defective - but the price means you can get multiple for the price of one from Digikey.
 
Edit 2: The armatures are usually also fairly either unknown variants or are made for specific companies - some prototyping  may be necessary with a UIEM shell.

 

[Xymordos]

I've bought second hand drivers from a variety of shops on Taobao and never actually received a defective one. However, I can't comment on their life span. I do buy off Mouser whenever I can, but some drivers are only available on Mouser in 25s.

 

[Sinzo]

What does everyone use for prototyping shells?
 
I've been using medical acrylic until now but it's fairly annoying due to its long shipping time.
 
I tried using Nail Polish but it wouldn't set, would nail topcoat or base coat set and form a shell?

 

[MuZo2]

Nail basecoat works. Turns yellow on long exposures.

 

[Sinzo]

Thanks!

 

[Sinzo]

Using the nail base coat leads to a really thin shell, it bends by touching it.
 
I've tried to increase curing time, from 5 before emptying excess to 15, but it doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

[Shilohsjustice]

I started with the Lina brand UV base coat which worked really well for a long time. I used to buy it off eBay, it did tend to turn yellow though, but worked extremely well.

I made some clear shells tonight, I've been obsessing over getting them as clear as possible. It literally keeps me up at night. Practice practice practice practice. One thing that has always helped me is slow down, I was always anxious to get to a point where I could put the shells in my ears to test. Sometimes rushing through the process.





I always go back to making sure you impressions are processed/cut/sanded nicely, In the beginning I was so anxious to make molds and shells I paid little attention to the quality of my impressions and I went through a ton of material. Nice sanding, wash them to get the dust off, dip in wax. By doing this the shells are extremely smooth right out of the mold, all I have to do then is buff.

Remember what you perfect in one UV material will be different in another, even brand to brand can be different in curing times.

 

[JorgePantalones]

Wow, those are gorgeous!

 

[MuZo2]

Yeah stunning, what UV gel is that?

 

[Shilohsjustice]

Yeah stunning, what UV gel is that?

It is Dreve Fotoplast.