PearlieMae's Silicone Tail Journey

[PearlieMae]

I wouldn't fear--having an idea of how to do something is one thing. Possessing the astounding artistic ability you have is another! Your thread will help others in their tail making journeys but I seriously doubt there are many mers out there with your astounding combination of untethered creativity and diligent patience!

I'm blushing!

[Mermaid Lily_Pad]

Congrats Pearlie thats awesome! I can't wait to see everything!

[Theobromine]

I'd make you a custom monofin! Part of what's taking so long to finish this tail is the development of the monofin. I made one last modification to the prototype yesterday and took it out for a test and it was as if the fin was part of me! The best fit and feel of any fin I've ever used in the past seven years I've been swimming with them!

And no, no tutorial on that. I'm filing for a design patent.

Aw, NUTS! I came on here specifically to ask you if you could share with us what worked and what didn't for your prototype fin versus the one that broke recently. Well, if you don't want to share the one you're filing a patent for (which is fair enough), maybe you could at least let us know what NOT to do, aka why your other fin broke? I'm planning on making a lexan monofin myself soon and I just want to make sure mine won't have any weak points (though my design is going to be completely different from anything anyone else has done here that I've seen so far).

Can't wait to see your completed tail!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Thanks for that diagram, pearlie i haven't touched my lexan piece in a few weeks and I know I'm going to add stiffeners now for sure. I've just been unsure on how lol


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[Mermaid Wesley]

Ok thanks for the tips I might chemically weld the sheets together too. Not sure


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[PearlieMae]

Test everything first!!!

[Mermaid Wesley]

You know it!


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[Mermaid Wesley]

I don't know yet. I haven't done the research into it yet. I'm more focused on the gosh darn resin (which never cured btw ugh) I'm gonna look into it soon though, I want to get moving faster.


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[PearlieMae]

F**k! That resin is vexing!

[Mermaid Wesley]

I know! It's possible I didn't mix it right last time and I've been on a trip since then. On my next day off I'm going to try it with baked sculpy and sealed clay because SHOCKER even the clay they gave me and said they -knew- it would work caused bubbles. *headdesk*


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[Theobromine]

Thanks for sharing, Pearlie! I figured it was something like that but it's still helpful to know. This will probably at least help prevent some other mers from slicing their feet up.

[Lostariel Telrunya]

Definitely! I just so happen to be on that part of my monofin, and was literally going to ask about how to do all of that with the polyzap, when I was sidetracked to your page! Coincidence? I think not...

[Seatan]

I know! It's possible I didn't mix it right last time and I've been on a trip since then. On my next day off I'm going to try it with baked sculpy and sealed clay because SHOCKER even the clay they gave me and said they -knew- it would work caused bubbles. *headdesk*

Wesley, it's not you! It is happening to me, too! The people at my Reynolds are also surprised and didn't think it would do that next to Monster clay, but we can't figure out what else it could be! I guess Pearlie Mae's different clay agreed better with it! I am on hold with them right now as they try to figure something out, but the best suggestion I've gotten at this point is to spray paint a clear coat over the Monster clay. We'll see if they come up with anything better.

[PearlieMae]

Get in touch with the manufacturer!!!

http://www.smooth-on.com/techsupport.php

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Scroll down to Modeling Clay:

http://www.fxsupply.com/materials/clay.html

This is the clay I use!

[Soulstrifer]

I may be having to make a lexan fin for a tail... I am just concerned about the over all shape of it... and think I might actually have to add MORE reinforcement than just the center structure like you have.

[Mermaid Wesley]

Wesley, it's not you! It is happening to me, too! The people at my Reynolds are also surprised and didn't think it would do that next to Monster clay, but we can't figure out what else it could be! I guess Pearlie Mae's different clay agreed better with it! I am on hold with them right now as they try to figure something out, but the best suggestion I've gotten at this point is to spray paint a clear coat over the Monster clay. We'll see if they come up with anything better.

That's the advice they gave me too! I'm testing it soon but I have a feeling you might beat me so let me know if it works!


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[Mermaid Kate Silverfin]

Mermaid Wesley and Seavanna, what resin are you using? I'm planning to make my moulds out of fibreglass resin and monster clay, so I'd love to know if that is going to be a problem! Thanks!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Mines not fiberglass I forget what it's called


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[Seatan]

I am using Smooth On's Smoothcast Colormatch. It is a clear resin but apoarently it doesn't favor Monstermakers oil based clay. I just went and bought a hunk of Plasticina, what Pearlie used, at Hobby Lobby ($13.99 for 4.5 lbs) and am going to try with that. Here is the link for it:

http://www.smooth-on.com/Urethane-Pl...206/index.html

i got the 327 (slow cure) but I suggest getting the 325 fast cure. It's an easy 1:1 mix and its simple to pour. No need for the extra pot life.

note: while I was finaly able to get a smooth mold with Monster clay out of the Colormatch, it did not fully cure after 24 hours. I am going to try sitting outdoors or under a lamp to see if it cures further (as suggested by the Smooth On guys)

[PearlieMae]

I figured out something new...Look how clear my new fluke is going to be! Cool, huh?