Latex tail making question

[MermaidIndie]

So I'm going to attempt a full latex tail but haven't been able to find an article that goes really into how to do the fluke. How much should I fill in the fluke mold so the space for the foot pocket isn't just a big lump of latex?

[Mermaid Wesley]

Well are you using a monofin?


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[MermaidIndie]

Yea a finis wave

[Mermaid Wesley]

the monofin gets glued between two halves of the fluke, like a sandwitch. You leave the part with the foot pockets un-glued. cue crapapy ms paint diagram!
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if you cut a tail in half this is what it should look like (sans any neoprene. i dont really "get" neoprene yet.)

[inactive account]

I've found latex can be super tricky when doing the fluke because the latex shrinks slightly depending on how thin/thick it is at certain places. The post above is really good example, if you want you can make two separate fluke pieces and then sandwich the fluke in-between so that it is one separate solid piece or you can make a neoprene case which covers the monofin and then stick the latex fluke pieces over it :)

[ShyMer]

^ yep, you want to make it a bit bigger than you want because it shrinks- I think it's 5%? That doesn't sound like much until you go to put your monofin into your fluke only to realize it'll only go in part of the way (you have to account for those ridges taking up space, too.) That's not a pleasant discovery.

Thank you for bringing that up!

[MermaidIndie]

Thank you guys so much! This makes it a lot easier to do. Hopefully in a couple weeks I'll be able to post pictures!

[Mermaid Julz]

I have been working exclusively with latex. what you see above in her diagram is very helpful..it does shrink, but not 5%. normally I cast one half after the other. there is normally a few days in between them.Once thats done, go ahead and put your halves together. If you have any questions further about latex, I would be glad to answer any questions :)

[MermaidIndie]

Mermaid Julz, thanks for the advice. I'll probably be posting on this thread quite a lot when I start my project. Your videos helped me a lot on my previous tail

[ShyMer]

it does shrink, but not 5%.

From the monster makers website-
" Mask latex can shrink anywhere from 5% to 15% depending on the brand used. An average shrinkage factor is 8%. High quality mask latex like the ever popular RD-407, contains a good balance of rubber to filler and a properly balanced cure system."
I'm not sure what that last part means except that maybe it can be expected to shrink less compared to lesser quality latex? I feel like I've found more specific numbers before but I'm not finding them now.

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[Mermaid Julz]

ShyMer, from working with it like I have I have not had that much shrinkage. I use the RD-407, and have not had it shrink that much. I think alot has to do with it as it cures with the environmental settings its in as it cures. I have noticed a big difference in how things go between my work on things in NC verses here in VA. As we know, climate effects everything.

MermaidIndie, I am glad the videos have helped you. I can't wait to see how this tail of yours comes along. I'm no expert but I have so much fun making tails. I just wish work would not get in the way so I had more time to make them, but till I can get my business going full swing, I gotta pay the bills.