New to the site! Need advice on creating tail!

[JamesGunnels]

So, my name is James. I am currently working with a friend who is going to be doing a photoshoot in a month or two, and she needs to create her own tail, however, since I have made tails before and my father had worked in the film business for a few years, I have a tiny bit of experience with silicone and creating molds. This will be a TOTALLY new thing for me. I was just thinking of using neophrene for the tail and getting a monofin from Tom Shouse and shaving down the sides and rivits on the main fin so that I can fit the silicone fluke on with silicone glue. Where is the best place to find Dragon Skin silicone? I live in Austin, Texas. I do not know of any place here in town that would have it, but I don't doubt that it isn't anywhere in town. Is there a website that I can find reasonably priced Dragon Skin silicone? Any tips would be amazing!!!!

[Seatan]

There is a ton of info on tail making in the tagged thread on it. I know that doesn't seem like a helpful answer, but it really was the best answer I got when I asked a similar question when I first joined. There are a TON of resources listed in a very helpful way there! Also check out Jazz and Jessica's tail making threads. They are actively making silicone tails right now. As for dragon skin, there are places you can get it online (I believe that is in the resources too, though I'm not sure, but I've googled it before and found it.). Though being in Austin (hook me horns!) I bet there's some to be found in that crazy city. Sirenalia is based out of Austin, and they are just getting into the silicone tail biz--maybe you can PM them and ask if there is dragon skin in town?

[JamesGunnels]

I just found them on their companies facebook page! You're awesome. I hope I can learn something from this website :D I am so happy I found it. I want her tail to be as realistic as I can make it.

[Winged Mermaid]

Check out the Tailmaking Reference Index (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?2633-%E2%98%86%E2%9A%A0TAILMAKING-REFERENCE-INDEX%E2%9A%A0%E2%98%86-Look-here-BEFORE-you-post-any-questions!) for tons of resources :)

Any particular reason why you'd by your monofin from Thom? I love Thom (awesome tailmaker, sweet man) but you can buy the Finis monofins he sells for cheaper other places online. Also keep in mind that if you save off the sides and rivets (these are called "stiffeners", for reference purposes) that the monofin will become very floppy and cut the propulsion an extreme amount. Some who have done it said they threw it away afterwards becuase it had so little kick it was next to useless. So keep that in mind.

As for where to get silicone, most people order online from Smooth-On unless they have a local source somewhere.

[MerEmma]

Yeah, if you don't want ridges then either find a way to hide it in the fin (lotsa silicone I think around that area is sometimes used?) or find a monofin without ridges (they exist!). The ridges are there for a reason.

[PearlieMae]

I think the Hydra doesn't have ridges.

Ordering dragonskin directly from Smooth-On is probably your best bet.

[MerEmma]

The Hydra and the Oceanika (although probably won't work for OP :P) I think are the only ones without ridges? Besides the tiny little children's monofin I can't think of any others.

[JamesGunnels]

Oh, I didn't mean remove the ridges completely. I had an experience after I removed them once before...and didn't like the outcome of it. I have looked for a Finis monofin elsewhere, and they all seem to be about the same price. I am open to any and all suggestions.

[JamesGunnels]

what about urethane? Anyone ever use it?

[MerEmma]

For the entire tail? I know Merberry was recently trying to use it and that's what Thom Shouse uses but I don't believe anyone here has much experience with it honestly.

[JamesGunnels]

I don't think I will have enough patience or time to do the entire tail. I was thinking just the fluke and dorsal fin, and maybe some side fins etc. and making the actual tail out of neoprene and coating it with latex....It sounds like a weird combination of different materials, and as this is the first time making a tail like this...ever, not sure if all the materials will hold all together...but I am just working on design right now.

[PearlieMae]

Not sure about ever...but maybe - if all goes well - successfully! Good luck!

[shadeofmyheart]

There's a Reynold's Materials in Dallas (I know that's a 3 hour drive from you, but at least it's something)

http://www.reynoldsam.com/locations.php

[JamesGunnels]

Oh, I meant this would be a first time ever for me making a tail like this...it sounds kind of bad reading it the way I said it first, kind of egotistical etc. that I'd be the only to think of doing something like this. I hope all goes well. I'm really excited about doing it :D However, I look at a lot of the tails on here, and you all seem to maybe have a tad bit more experience in the tail making business as I have only made one or two.