Ive heard about the spring supposedly used by have no idea how it'll look like in the footplate and even how it connects to the fluke itself
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Ive heard about the spring supposedly used by have no idea how it'll look like in the footplate and even how it connects to the fluke itself
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Just as you I've watched a lot of people making their tails not just the (Extended) stuff for me is about incorporating different techniques that I've seen work for others and learn all I can.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lili
Yes Jinx she used a PVC tube for her extension and I think silicone caulk on top of neoprene, the tail looked cool it is a full body piece but in the video it did not look very functional and the doy was a little off but that aside a great tail.
Attachment 38908
Merman Jessie also made one H2O inpired and also a hybred dont know what he used to make it bulk.
Personally I think the tail would have sealed the deal with a bit bit bigger
Attachment 38909
GulfMerman about the springmech on the Mako Mermaids tails I've thought aloooooot about it Imean loot.
Here's a pic of the thing hope it helps!
Attachment 38910
I assume it could be a stainless steel spring, so that isn't a problem, but have the slightest clue how it even would connects to the fluke???Quote:
Originally Posted by Merman Marinus
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guys there is a flat bar that you can't see in the photo, the spring is attached to that. the bar is cast into the silicone or urethane.
Can you draw a diagram of it for us?? PleaseeeeeeeeeeQuote:
Originally Posted by Trident True
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Up date: finally got the fkn clay I thought the 4.5 lb would be bigger Im going to need like 5 more to sculpt the fluke, so got working on some scales which I love.
Attachment 38953
Decided not to post non of my partial silicone tail on this thread mor make one for it I'll post lots of pics once I'm finnished with it for all to see.
Thanks to the labor day thing i hi5 to work on the tail a little.
Good luck with your tail then!!! :D can't wait to see it finished already ;)
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Thanks MoonChild, ill post on my extended tail as i go. I decided to shrink the fluke a lil bit ill post pics of that once i start sculpting.
Wow, I haven't watched Mako Mermaids past season 1 (and a bit of two) and the change in the tails is quite drastic... I don't think I like it :( I feel like it shows the feet bump too much. I'll have to watch an episode and see it in motion before I decide though. It might look a little different then. Just from the comparison though I prefer the look of the season 1 Mako tails to all the other H20 and later Mako ones. It has the perfect blend of being thinner than the earlier H20 ones in an aestetcially pleasing way but still hiding the feet really well and having a very believable extention.
Finished with the scales at least didn the first 10.
For now ill show yall my progress on my fluke sculpt... Attachment 38982
Progress on fluke...
Attachment 38984
WoW!! I love your fluke design:drool::drool: Can't wait to see more progress :thumbs up:
Your extension concept is also amazing!!
Almost done with the first half of the fluke.I've decided to doo the fluke thick because thelexan sheet sold at home depot is too thin, on the mako tails the flukes are thicker because the have nothing within the fluke. So seance i dont want a flowie fluke un making it thick so it dont bend too much.
Progress shot.Attachment 38999
Are you using plaster for making the cast of the fluke?
I am yet to decide but mostlikely using plaster yes.
UPDATE. Attachment 39000
I thought id be good to show yall the tools un using.
Basic 10 piece clay tool set. Clay extruder with 20 different (mouth pieces) for "shapes".
Van Aken Platilina 5 blocks of 4.5 lb.
And a candle to roll out flat peaces.
Attachment 39001
Thank you for posting your progress! you're helping me with my tail :D
No problem Merman Ordep glad I could be of any use, but keep in mind that the extension mechanisms posted on here have not been tested yet.
Here's another progress shot of the fluke sculpt: Attachment 39003
Looking great so far!!! Love it! Are you going to use a different material for the "skeleton" of the fluke?
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if you decide to use plaster here is a tip: have a partner and yourself mix up the quantities in separate buckets. eg if you decide you need 4 kg to cover the fluke for the initial mold then get your partner to mix up 2 Kg then both pour together from the one point. this will ensure that you cover the entire mold without having uneven sides. speaking from experience here. NB any unlevel mold can resort in silicone pooling on one side of the mold or even spilling over the edges of the mold. this usually only happens in the thinner spots. ENSURE WHEN MAKING ANY MOLD to create the mold on a LEVEL Surface. you will be looking at a thickness of about 2 to 3cm for the mold to ensure it won't crack upon lifting.
fluke thickness, ive created mine to be around 3cm thick at the top once the halves are put together and midway down is about 1 to 1.5cm the bottom is left around 3mm. you won't most of the thickness up the top and centre in order to act like a monofin. NB something to think about, the thickness you do your fluke needs to be taken into account in order for your extension to be able to take the weight of the fuke.
what are you casting your fluke in? silicone or silicone Rubber?
your fluke looks good. just a reminder your fluke needs to be symmetrical on both sides in order to add up.
Thanks alot Moonchild , actually im not making a skeleton like on the original H2Ó tails in using lexan as the monofin.
Thanks for the tips on mold making I didn't know all that. As for the thickness of the fluke I've made it just as you said except for the size and stuff. The lexan available to me at Homedepot is not stiff enough to me so i made the fluke like the upgraded Mako Mermaids tails the way the fluke acts like a monofin without one inside it I need that. As for materials I've been thinking about using a Urethane thats a bit harder than the Dragon skin silicone because of my obsession with my fluke not beying too flowy dont get me wrong I don't want a stiff fluke but it cant be flowy like Ariels fluke LOL...
Attachment 39004
I thought about urethane but i was thinking that once the halves are bought together it would be too stiff. Im casting my fluke in rubber as its more denser than silicone.
What kind of rubber ? I'm going with the Silicone for the fluke because I have more experience with it. Plus the extension also haves or is a Monofin, I'm also sculpting the fluke thick.
Ive chosen to do my fluke in rubber becuase most silicones are softer in that department. its a smooth on rubber but i can't remember its name. you can dye the rubber to any colour and from what i can remember it has good tear strength and wearing resistance. of course i will buy a trial and test before casting my fluke. most silicones ive found don't go past 30 shore A im looking for something the the 40 to 50 shore A range.
Whisper, it doesn't hurt to watch the series. I found them entertaining. In my personal opinion they weren't as great as H20, but for being able to watch Mermaids and stuff it filled the gap. The first episode COMPLETELY captures what it feels like to swim for hours and then try to legs. My guppies and I laughed SO HARD that Cyan had a gummy worm go up his nose and he had to blow it out. And the new approach they had to when a half-mermaid gets a cold was tickling.
For me it was good to fill the void left by H20 and also look at all the new FX I may be able to reproduce at home. I am not a fan of the new tails, and definately NOT the tops, but the thicker flukes give a nice smack and i wouldn't be worried about fishing hooks.
I was looking at the urethane sold by smoothon so seance urethane is harder then silicone is the shore 30 or 40 good for my fluke?
if your looking at a stiff fluke then 50 or 60 would be better.
have a look at the scale of shore A 50 to 60 is medium soft to medium hard. if in doubt go the 60, if you want flexibility or a flowy tail i would go 40. deciding on these products is hard because you can't feel the product before you buy so you just have to go off the information.
https://www.smooth-on.com/product-line/vytaflex/
Attachment 39018
So my fluke sculpt broke I'm not sad cause I can fix it but I wasn't happy with it any ways so I'm starting the fluke again back to paper...Attachment 39023
P.S. it broke while I stupidly tried to change locations by lifting it without beying able to support the whole thing.
you could sculpt it on some card or a piece of board to avoid it from breaking.
do you know how you're going to add your fluke to your extension?
I already figures out how I'm going to connect the fluke to the tail body, I'll get some cardboard from work thanks allot Trident True.
Glue some glad wrap over the cardboard this way your plasticine won't stick to it.
Yeah that's what my mom told me to do thanks bro.
Excited to see more progress! :)
Get some of this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/24-in-x-3...2436/202090128
I sculpt my flukes on it...there's a 72" option as well, I get those and cut them in half. I tape mine to a piece of pegboard, but any lightweight plywood works, and resin doesn't stick to it.
Thanks so much PearlieMae that's a great idea you've saved all my future sculpts :yay:
Looking at my fluke design sketches I feel like it looks somewhat like Zac's fluke and I want to be original so yeah new fluke shape in the works...Attachment 39055Attachment 39056
Just some ideas.
I like the first one :) It doesn't look like Zac's fluke, it's your own design :)
I guess you misunderstood me sorry thats my fault. I meant my old design is similar to Zac's fluke so I drew some but still undecided...Quote:
Originally Posted by The Water Phoenix
Here is my old fluke design sketch the one that's similar to Zac's:Attachment 39059
Almost decided on this one but im thinking about refining it once more... What do y'all think?