Mermaid Cascada
07-11-2012, 12:53 PM
Hi everymer :) I am posting this to show you how to make a latex mermaid/merman tail.
Most of the information you can find on mermaid star's thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?587-Star-s-First-Tailmaking-Experience
Here are the materials you will need, where to find them, and the prices.
Materials Needed
Latex (Material for the actual tail)
RD-407 Mask Making Latex
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/
Price: $154.95
Cement (material used to make molds of your fluke and extra fins)
Ultra-cal 30 cement (gypsum cement)
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/
Price: $35.95 (for a 50lb. bag)
Clay (for sculpture of making fluke and extra fins)
Any clay is fine as long as it is sulfur free because sulfur can interfere with the curing process on both latex and silicone.
WED clay
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/product/em-217-wed-clay.html
Price: $16.50 (for 25lbs.)
3-4 packs of adhesive foam sheets (for making scales)
Found at: Usually found at any craft store. (I got mine at Michaels, $8 for a 9in. * 12in. 12 sheets in a pack.
Price: $8
Wood (for a scale mold box)
Found at: Ay home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes.
Circle paper punch (to cut out scales)
Found at: Any craft store. ( I also got mine from michales)
Price: $16 It is important to get the right size or you will have a hard time fitting the foam in.
Neoprene ( for latex to rest on while you swim instead of having it on your skin.)
Found at: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/browse/95
Price: $ 18 a yard ( a yard is 3 feet so seven to nine feet is a safe area for a tail with fluke and extra fins included.)
Mono-fin (optional)
Mono-fins are optional but are a necessity if you want speed and propulsion while swimming with your tail through the water. Mono-fins can start at $50 and go up to $400! Depending on what size they are.
Found at: Finis-fins.com,Scuba stores and swimoutlet.com
Step 1:Measuring and making a pattern4862 This is mermaid Star's pattern :)
You can make a pattern by following the information found in the videos and tutorials here...:http://mernetwork.com/index/content.php?135-Tutorials-and-How-to-Guides .
It is critical to make sure both sides of your fluke are symmetrical. This will be your tail template and if the fluke sides are not the same it will mess up your casting.
Step 2: making a mold box 4863 This is mermaid Star's scale mold box
To make your mold box use you tail template too measure the box. The box should be as long as your tail template and about a foot wider on each side. The reason I tell you to add a foot to each side is because after the latex is all done you can cut it and bond it to your neoprene with more latex or you can bond it with latex a you wrap the scales around so you don't have to cut it. When you are done you can add a zipper and add some extra fins to hide it. This method will make it much easier :D ( I know this concept is really confusing so if you have any questions leave it in the comment box and I will answer you as soon as possible. :) ) After screwing the wood together with your dimensions (Optional: plus a foot width on each side) You can use hot glue to seal any spaces between the wood and where the other pieces of wood should connect.
Step 3: Cutting the scales
Use your circle paper puncher to cut circles out of you foam sheets. (These circles will serve as scales in your mold box.) Make sure to cut all of them so you have enough. After they are all cut you can start laying the circles.
Step 4: Laying the scales
When you lay your scales make sure they are firmly pressed on the wood and will not come off when you start making the mold. If the foam is not adhesive or the circles simply won't stick, you can use a hot glue gun to secure them to the wood. Make sure your scales are straight and neat because this is the way they will look on your tail.
Most of the information you can find on mermaid star's thread: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?587-Star-s-First-Tailmaking-Experience
Here are the materials you will need, where to find them, and the prices.
Materials Needed
Latex (Material for the actual tail)
RD-407 Mask Making Latex
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/
Price: $154.95
Cement (material used to make molds of your fluke and extra fins)
Ultra-cal 30 cement (gypsum cement)
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/
Price: $35.95 (for a 50lb. bag)
Clay (for sculpture of making fluke and extra fins)
Any clay is fine as long as it is sulfur free because sulfur can interfere with the curing process on both latex and silicone.
WED clay
Found at: http://www.monstermakers.com/product/em-217-wed-clay.html
Price: $16.50 (for 25lbs.)
3-4 packs of adhesive foam sheets (for making scales)
Found at: Usually found at any craft store. (I got mine at Michaels, $8 for a 9in. * 12in. 12 sheets in a pack.
Price: $8
Wood (for a scale mold box)
Found at: Ay home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowes.
Circle paper punch (to cut out scales)
Found at: Any craft store. ( I also got mine from michales)
Price: $16 It is important to get the right size or you will have a hard time fitting the foam in.
Neoprene ( for latex to rest on while you swim instead of having it on your skin.)
Found at: http://spandexworld.com/c3/catalog/browse/95
Price: $ 18 a yard ( a yard is 3 feet so seven to nine feet is a safe area for a tail with fluke and extra fins included.)
Mono-fin (optional)
Mono-fins are optional but are a necessity if you want speed and propulsion while swimming with your tail through the water. Mono-fins can start at $50 and go up to $400! Depending on what size they are.
Found at: Finis-fins.com,Scuba stores and swimoutlet.com
Step 1:Measuring and making a pattern4862 This is mermaid Star's pattern :)
You can make a pattern by following the information found in the videos and tutorials here...:http://mernetwork.com/index/content.php?135-Tutorials-and-How-to-Guides .
It is critical to make sure both sides of your fluke are symmetrical. This will be your tail template and if the fluke sides are not the same it will mess up your casting.
Step 2: making a mold box 4863 This is mermaid Star's scale mold box
To make your mold box use you tail template too measure the box. The box should be as long as your tail template and about a foot wider on each side. The reason I tell you to add a foot to each side is because after the latex is all done you can cut it and bond it to your neoprene with more latex or you can bond it with latex a you wrap the scales around so you don't have to cut it. When you are done you can add a zipper and add some extra fins to hide it. This method will make it much easier :D ( I know this concept is really confusing so if you have any questions leave it in the comment box and I will answer you as soon as possible. :) ) After screwing the wood together with your dimensions (Optional: plus a foot width on each side) You can use hot glue to seal any spaces between the wood and where the other pieces of wood should connect.
Step 3: Cutting the scales
Use your circle paper puncher to cut circles out of you foam sheets. (These circles will serve as scales in your mold box.) Make sure to cut all of them so you have enough. After they are all cut you can start laying the circles.
Step 4: Laying the scales
When you lay your scales make sure they are firmly pressed on the wood and will not come off when you start making the mold. If the foam is not adhesive or the circles simply won't stick, you can use a hot glue gun to secure them to the wood. Make sure your scales are straight and neat because this is the way they will look on your tail.