A Different Kind of Fluke

[Nashoba]

So my father is a tool and die specialist. My husband works both metal and wood. They're both incredibly skilled and creative with making big projects (I tend to do more art and they make useable tools and structures), so I've enlisted their help in the making of my first tail. They're very excited about the project.

I think the fluke will be the thing that would deviate the most from the tutorials I've seen on here. For the base of building the fluke, I'm going to be using a medical-grade plexiglass. It's got a nice "flip" quality to it (springy / bendy) and is strong enough to stop an out-of-control metal-working saw blade from flipping up and hitting someone in the face. (aka the material is used to make safety guards on C&C machines and the like)

Honestly, I picked this material because it's strong, is easy to shape and that I've kind of got lying around. I'll be patterning out the fluke, tonight. Hopefully we'll be able to get the fluke cut out within the next two weeks and have a protype of the monofin up for testing in our local pool by the end of the month.

Thought everyone would like to know about this, so I'll post pics of the process as it goes.

-Bri

[AniaR]

Hmmm, I might be wrong but I thought the problem with plexiglass is that it shatters and splinters into dangerous pieces, whereas other materials just seem to crack and have 1 break like fiberglass. Good luck either way

[Nashoba]

There shouldn't be any shattering as long as there aren't any corners or hard lines. We'll make a prototype and see how it swims. Also, the plexiglass will be encased, so even if breakage does happen, it won't splinter or hurt anyone / any thing.

[Mermaid Allie]

Sounds cool, but be careful because I think I might have used plexiglass while extending my first fin, and it did not end well. It ended cracked. Just make sure its not too brittle.

[MerAnthony]

I would suggest insted of using plexi glass use lexan a poylcarbonate. For one it is alot stronger than plexi an they also use it to make bullet proof glass.

[Mermaid Annariea]

i've always been told that plexiglass shouldn't be used for monofins/flukes, because it's brittle and breaks too easily. polycarbonate is much better, from what i've heard.

[Usagi]

Home depot has 18x24 lexan polycarbonate sheets.. the next size up is 72x36 and it's like $100.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/202038064
But I feel like you can also have them cut custom sizes...maybe? But if you wanna try out the plexi, go for it! Trial and error, right? If it works - awesome! If not - well, it was a fun learning experience (I hope)! Let us know how it goes, and best of luck! I hope no one chops off a finger! :P