finally starting the template for my fluke!

[JamesGunnels]

As many tail makers know, especially those who use silicone...making thw fluke template can be a pain. I am just drawing up the fluke at the moment and will be buying the materials for the mold here soon, but I'd like to keep you all up to date on it :) hope you like it and please any and all tips welcome 26023:)

[CowgirlMermaid]

Nice shape!

[OceanWhisper]

I like the shape :) it looks nice with a scalloped edge :)

[JamesGunnels]

26048 so, this is just another small step forward, and I know many people won't want to just look in on some template, but I'm really proud of it so far and cannot wait to finally! start the mold for the fluke. I was thinking maybe urethane as the mold itself as I plan on making a few tails....I've got friends who really want me to make them one....but none of that will happen until this is a success :) any and all tips welcome!

[JamesGunnels]

I like the shape :) it looks nice with a scalloped edge :)

Thanks a lot! I really like the idea of creating a simple fluke as this is my first silicone tail :)

[MermanOliver]

Nice design! I like it! :) looking forward to seeing it done!

Just one small practical point: The notch in the middle looks quite sharp pointed. That might induce quite a stress point to the monofin and may lead to cracking of the blade. Maybe just round it out a little?
Sent from my phonebrick using Tapatalk

[JamesGunnels]

Well so far it's just the template. I ordered the clay for the mold and a minos monofin. I'm thinking urethane for the actual silicone mold.

[PearlieMae]

Looks great! I can't wait to watch your progress! Good luck! :)

[JamesGunnels]

Looks great! I can't wait to watch your progress! Good luck! :)


Thanks a lot Pearlie! That means a lot, but as you are like...the queen of mermaid tails...I shall be knocking on your door for some tips, if ya have time :D

[JamesGunnels]

Nice shape!

Bedankt voor het compliment!!! Ik moet nog steeds eraan werken :-) geef toe ben een beetje hulpbehoevend, en zult je nog tips hebben ...ze zijn natuurlijk hartelijk welkom lol

[JamesGunnels]

26066 so, currently, I am doing a white coat to cover the blemises. Now, I love then design, but what do any of you think if I were to take the fluke look tattered?

[PearlieMae]

I don't think you have enough fin TO tatter. If it were a bigger fluke, maybe, but tearing the edge of this one, with its beautiful, clean design, would just ruin it.

[JamesGunnels]

I don't think you have enough in TO tatter. If it were a bigger fluke, maybe, but tearing the edge of this one, with its beautiful, clean design, would just ruin it.

That's what my boyfriend told me, so along with your thoughts, I'd have to agree. I just can't wait to finally start using the molding clay as soon as I get it.

[Miyu]

Ooh, I like that fluke design :)

[JamesGunnels]

So today I bought 5.5 lbs of plastalina clay to start working on the mold for me fluke! I am so excited! Pictures to come soon!

[PearlieMae]

Woohoo! Excellent!

I need to scroll up before posting dumb questions. :doh:

[JamesGunnels]

Woohoo! Excellent!

I need to scroll up before posting dumb questions. :doh:

Hahahahaha! I sent you an email earlier. I am gonna start the sculpting tomorrow! :happy:

[JamesGunnels]

26154 so currently I have the molding clay I have a few different tools and I bought a resin kit. I don't know exactly what it's going to turn out like so I'm quite curious. Has anyone ever heard of the pour on high gloss finish from Acabado Brillante?

26155 this is obviously my first major project and i have no clue exactly what I'm going to be using to create the physical mold for the fluke. I just bought a small sized kit as 1) I do not know if it will even work and 2) if it does, there will be enough the side fins :)Now as I can tell this is more like a varnish finish product but, if anybody knows if this can be used during a molding process for any part of the tail tips would be greatly appreciated.

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

I tried a similar resin. While it does work it takes a long time to cure and you will need alot of it to make the mold.

I use fiberglass resin. It works the same way but its cheaper and available at any place that sells stuff for body work on cars. As long as you dont have clay that melts I recommend that instead. A resin/cloth mix will make a stronger lighter mold then just resin.

[JamesGunnels]

26158 Alright! Here's my first attempt at any kind of clay sculpting and making a tail :D How do you guys like my idea for side fins? Please let me know tips!

[JamesGunnels]

I tried a similar resin. While it does work it takes a long time to cure and you will need alot of it to make the mold.

I use fiberglass resin. It works the same way but its cheaper and available at any place that sells stuff for body work on cars. As long as you dont have clay that melts I recommend that instead. A resin/cloth mix will make a stronger lighter mold then just resin.

Well, I poured the resin, so lets hope in a day or two it will have set correctly....if it's too thin...I may have to pour another coat over.

[PearlieMae]

Cool fin! You're a natural sculptor!

[JamesGunnels]

Cool fin! You're a natural sculptor!


hahahahaha thanks. That was the first time I had actually sculpted anything before. I am good with pencil to paper, as you already know...but I am so ready for this!

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Nice fins!

I found the thicker the layer the longer it took. Mine was over 1/4 inch thick and took almost 2 days to dry. The clear stuff can get pretty hot when you mix it. I didnt make it thick enough but my second layer didnt stick to the first layer. But I didnt sand it in between and I think thats why.

I hope it turns out awesome. Its a very nice fin!

[JamesGunnels]

Well, it has turned out that I need to buy some more resin. I sadly used something for the barrier that was too wide and didn't keep enough resin on the fin itself. I also just created an ankle fin :D here's a pic of the both together...you might be able to tell that the resin is much too thin. 26161 all in all I am really enjoying it :D The fluke is gonna be a crazy bitch though.

[PearlieMae]

I make a clay base, put my sculpt on that, press in the edges some to seal it to the base, then I make a clay wall around the sculpt, staying close to it. That way, you don't have to waste all that resin in the negative space in a regular box. You can see photos of it in my tailmaking thread where I made my fluke and fins.

[JamesGunnels]

I make a clay base, put my sculpt on that, press in the edges some to seal it to the base, then I make a clay wall around the sculpt, staying close to it. That way, you don't have to waste all that resin in the negative space in a regular box. You can see photos of it in my tailmaking thread where I made my fluke and fins.

Thanks Pearlie! I'll definitely have to check out your thread because I know I'm definitely going to need some help with the actual molding process for my tail especially for the fluke and the side find because the resin that I've bought doesn't seem to be working as well as I had hoped. I'm going to buy one more kit of the same resin and just because I started with that particular brand but then I'm going to go ahead and do something else. I really appreciate the tips. I kinda jumped into this with a lot left research than I thought I had actually already had Palmer songify going out with you a whole lot more research because one, I won't be able to buy my silicone another month. I'm the kind of person that gets really excited about something and just wants to start it immediately as soon as I have any of the products that are necessary for the final product. Once again thanks a lot for your help, I'll be in touch with you for a few questions if you have any time to answer them.

[PearlieMae]

If there's anything you should NOT rush into, it's flinging around resin and rubber. It's just too expensive! Do your research first! I will be able to help more after Merfest, so spend the time to read up (not just my thread) and refine your sculpting. Make sure the fins you are making are exactly the way you want them before making molds. :)

[JamesGunnels]

If there's anything you should NOT rush into, it's flinging around resin and rubber. It's just too expensive! Do your research first! I will be able to help more after Merfest, so spend the time to read up (not just my thread) and refine your sculpting. Make sure the fins you are making are exactly the way you want them before making molds. :)

I do actually really like the fins as they are. I might.elongate the fluke a bit more, add different details etc. Thanks!

[JamesGunnels]

Alright, first fin was a total bust! :cry:I forgot to put something on the mold before pouring the resin on top of it so it would have an easy release. Any tips?

[JamesGunnels]

26180 Alright! Round two with Acabado Brillante Pour-On...meh. That is my initial feeling with working with it. It is difficult to pull the mold from. I had to take it under hot water to get the clay out and had to use qtips to get a lot of it out...what else can I use to get the rest of the clay off of the mold? Any kind of solvents that won't erode the mold?

[JamesGunnels]

I was able to remove most of the clay with lighter fluid! YAY!! So, my second try at a mold was most successful!

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

Im glad you found something that works! I would definitely test your mold with silicone to see if it works. Silicone is pickier then any woman ive ever met, including me! Lol :)

[JamesGunnels]

Im glad you found something that works! I would definitely test your mold with silicone to see if it works. Silicone is pickier then any woman ive ever met, including me! Lol :)

what is a good release agent for silicone molding?

[Prairie Mermaid Jamie]

You wont need one. Silicone wont stick to resin :)
As far as I know silicone only sticks to itself.

I never got to test my clear resin mold since it didnt turn out so I dont know if it will cause cure issues or not.

[JamesGunnels]

Okay well that's good that's great news at least I know I won't have to buy any kind of anti bonding agent.

[JamesGunnels]

I Finally got my Monofin last week! I used it for the very first time today...and I love it! I will have to change the design for my fluke though...the monofin is a tad bit larger than I imagined, plus...I am sadly, not happy with the design anymore. I will have enough money here soon to buy silicone, so my tail will hopefully be done in about 2 or 3 months!