Suggestions:

All methods:
1. Sand off all text and imperfections on the parts.
2. Keep strapless devices in place with a good sized rubber band around your leg.
3. Use a reverse tension to concentrate the tension on the skin (see my other post on this)
4. Make sure the tape is tight. This will help to prevent the tape from failing. This is why I suggest using both types of tape since KT tape is stretchy.
5. If using a pusher device, use some aquaphor or vaseline to keep the skin healthy.
6. Clean the device with soap and water before each use.
7. Try to wear loose fitting pants and underwear.
8. Urinate sitting down if using a pusher method.
9. If the KT tape is too strong, try mefix tape. It is sold by Ron of tlctugger.com and on Amazon. You could also reduce the adhesive by putting the tape on your leg aand taking it off a couple of times before applying it


Strap/canister method suggestions:
1. Place the clamp so that the screw part of it doesn't dig into your leg
2. Try several different methods for wrapping the strap around your leg.
3. Distribute the strap evenly around your leg to help with circulation.
4. Use an knee athletic brace to help keep the strap from leaving marks on your skin


Set screw method:
1. Place the coupling so that the screw is in an easily accessible place.
2. Make sure that the hole for the screw is tight enough to keep the screw securely in place
3. Use a larger rubber band around your leg to help keep the device in place.


Rubber band method:
1. Use file bands for tension. These are available at office supply stores
2. To increase tension slightly, wrap the rubber band around the screw a few times and attach the end to the clamp.
3. If the rubber band breaks, you're using too much tension and/or too thin of a band.
4. Try to use a larger rubber band. This way you'll have more options to adjust tension.
5. Use a larger thin band to keep the device in place; around the leg and then around the device.

Canister/strap method

Another tugging option is the classic strap/canister method. This method works well for people just starting out restoring who don't have enough skin to use the TLC-X or DTR. PVC fittings provide a firm, smooth surface on which to tug.

Building Supplies

1. PVC Coupling or reducer big enough for your glans but small enough to stretch skin over. It should fit over about 90% of the glans

2. Binder Clip, Large

3. 1/8" drill bit

4. Drill

5. Hose clamp big enough to fit around the fitting

6. Strap (TLC tugger or equivalent)

7. KT and regular (non stretchy) athletic tape
8. Coarse grit sand paper or other sanding tool
9. Pliers (if necessary)

Diagram:

Building Instructions:
1. Drill out holes near the top of the fitting for the binder clip. The holes should be directly across from each other and be at about the same height.
2. Widen binder clip (if necessary) with pliers
3. Sand off any sharp edges with sandpaper or a sanding tool
4. Insert binder clip and use

Usage instructions:
1. Clean device with soap and water before every use.
2. Insert binder clip
3. Tape skin as described in my other blogs
4. Clamp the TAPE ONLY with the clamp facing the opposite side of your leg (This prevents the clamp from digging into your skin)
5. Attach the strap to the binder clip
6. Use the strap to find the correct tension and wrap the strap around your leg in whatever fashion works for you. Secure the strap
7. Go about your day

Urination instructions:
1. Release the strap from the binder clip
2. clamp the strap to your pants to prevent the strap from unraveling.
3. Remove binder clip
4. Urinate sitting down (because it may shoot in a random direction)
5. Re-apply the binder clip and strap
6. continue with your day

Tugging Safety

Tugging must be done in a safe yet effective manner. Here are my tips for tugging.

1. Tug about 12 hours a day, 5 days a week
2. Use a reasonable amount of tension - You should feel the tension but it should not be painful.
3. Make sure your pusher is soft and pliable (TLC Tugger body recommended)
4. Adjust the tension throughout the day if it becomes too much or too little
5. If the tape fails for some reason, you may be using too much tension
6. Rubber bands should be adjusted so that they can accommodate partial erections
7. Release tension during an erection when possible.
8. DO NOT wear these devices overnight
9. Use a tugging method that will stretch the area of the skin just above the circumcision scar so as to hide the scar over time
10. Start tugging in the morning so that you have time to dial in the tension before you go to work. This way, you'll avoid frequent trips to the restroom to adjust the device.
11. It is worth investing in a tension scale to see exactly how much tension you are applying. these are available on amazon for about $10-$30. All you need is one that measures up to about 5 pounds. Recommended tension is between .75lb and 1.5lb
12. To measure tension with the rubber band method, use a "push" type scale to push the pipe into the device. Hold the pipe in place and mark the pipe where the ideal spot is. Apply the rubber bands
13. To measure tension with the set screw method, use a small scale to push against the pipe until the tension is adequate. Mark on the pipe where to stop pushing and tighten the set screw

Rubber Band Method

This method utilizes rubber bands to keep a constant tension on the skin rather than a set screw or strap. This method is similar to how the DTR works and is derived from it.

Finished product will look something like this:

Building Instructions
1. Follow the same steps as the set Screw method
2. Drill an additional 1/8" hole on the opposite side of the coupling from the first screw
3. Thread screw into hole with phillips drill bit
4. Use saw or dremel to cut a notch in the top of each side of the PVC pipe as shown below.

5. Use rubber bands to provide tension as shown in diagram below

Usage instructions:
1. Apply tape as described in my other posts
2. Apply the pusher and PVC pipe to the coupling
3. Using one or two rubber bands, apply tension by attaching each end of the rubber band to the screws and notch as shown above
4. Adjust tension by either using an additional rubber band, or by moving one side of the band to the clamp (to increase tension)
5. Tug throughout the day

Urination instructions:
1. Remove the rubber band from the notch
2. Remove the pipe and pusher
3. urinate sitting down
4. replace the pusher and pipe
5. replace the rubber band and adjust tension

Set Screw method

1. measure for the diameter of your penis (circumfrence= 2*pi*radius)
2. find the right size pvc pipe and fittings
1. use the largest size coupling that you can stretch skin over
3. Buy the following supplies if you don't have them already

• Pipe, about two feet or so
• Coupling, slip x slip, the longer the better
• Spade or forstner bit for drilling out coupling (~1/4" larger than pipe size)
• Electric drill
• #10 machine screws, 1/2" long, phillips head
• 1/8" drill bit
• Rubber stopper that will fit inside pipe OR TLC Tugger body* (Must be able to fit freely through coupling)
• Rounded sanding bit*
• PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw
• Phillips drill bit
• coarse sand paper
• Hose clamp that is big enough to fit around the coupling (Used to keep tape from backing off)

     4. Use the 1/8" drill bit to drill  out a hole about 1/4" from the top of the coupling.
     5. Use the phillips bit and drill to thread the screw into the hole. it should be a tight fit. Leave the screw inside but not protuding through the wall for the next step.
     6. Use the spade/forstner bit to drill out the coupling so that the pipe moves freely through the coupling. This step is crucial to the functionality of the device.
     7. If using a rubber stopper as a pusher, use the rounded sanding bit to create a rounded inner surface for the glans to push against. (ignore this step if using a TLC tugger body as a pusher)
     8. Sand off the rough edge of the pipe to about a 45 degree angle. Sand off any raised lettering and inperfections.
     9. Cut off  4-5" of pipe depending on how much skin you have left.
     10. Sand off the edge of the coupling opposite the screw to about 45 degrees. Sand the inside and outside
     11. If using the rubber stopper, glue the stopper in place (glue from the inside)
     12. Assemble the device as shown below

*TLC Tugger body is recommended over the rubber stopper but either will work. The sanding bit is used to create a concave surface on the stopper for the glans to push against.

Here's a photo of the tools you'll need:

Here's some photos of the devices that I've completed

^Set Screw Method

^Rubber Band Method

^Strap Tugging/Canister method

Foreskin Restoration Project Intro:

Hello. I am an anonymous user trying to help the foreskin restoration community by offering my own methods for restoring. 

Background: I was circumcised at birth like most American boys are but became very depressed about the fact. The doctor who did my surgery amputated a large amount of my penile skin and left a nasty scar. I decided to try and restore my foreskin at the age of 19, hoping that I would one day have a natural looking penis. I started out by trying the TLC tugger and TLC-X but neither of them would work for me since I had so little skin left. I then tried the canister/tape method which worked some of the time, but I was displeased with the failure rate of the tape. That's when I decided to try and manufacture my own restoration device. The result is a hybrid type device using tape and tension similar to how the TLC-X works. The device is made out of PVC pipe and fittings and can either use a set screw or rubber bands to keep tension. 

Advantages:

• Ability to use higher tension without tape slipping
• No straps
• Ability to urinate. 
• Costs less than commercial devices
• "industrial grade" parts and very durable
• Ability to Customize

Disadvantages:

• Requires tools to make
• cannot be used overnight
• requires knowledge of tools/building stuff

In the next post, I will provide photos and a guide to making your own device.

If you have questions, e-mail me at gcm0285 (at) gmail.com