#chimera!jeff

I've made a few tails in the past, and I much prefer articulated ones over non-articulated tails. While a non-articulated tail is perfectly fine, I much prefer the movement that comes with articulated tails. However, a tail like this is admittedly a little new for me, and I am not quite sure how to tackle it, so I just went all-in for the time being and did my best.

I used some scrap paper to make a pattern. I would show that progress but I am not too fond on doxxing myself because the paper had information on it, but I basically made a mock-up of the tail based on previous ones I have made. I then used that as a template to cut the base of the tail using this firm mesh material I got from... Somewhere? I don't really know but what matters is that I happen to have it.

I then cut out some EVA foam from these mats I got on the side of the road... I use these to create a "spine" which will be glued onto the base tail shape. These materials can be very expensive but people keep throwing stuff like this away so I just accumulate them until I get the opportunity for an awesome project like this.

Another awkwardly cropped photo, oh well. The next step is to add dimension by cutting up blocks of upholstery foam and place them into the right spots on the tail. I also got this foam on the side of the road. After gluing, you use scissors or an electric knife to cut them into the desired shape. I didn't have an electric knife before this but my hands were hurting from all the cutting and scissor usage, so I just bit the bullet and got one after years of making props. I have to admit it has improved my quality of life a lot. I can actually feel my hands after this whole process.

Speaking of hands, I have to make scaled gloves for this cosplay. I think that'll be really fun, honestly. But not in this post. Not yet.

As of today, I have a properly shaped tail. I am going to be smoothing the edges as well as trimming them down to fit the form completely. The problem solving starts now, though, as this is indeed a properly shaped tail, but now I have to figure out the cosmetics of it. Since I gather all the material I can from my roadside crafts store (that being, the side of the road) I have plenty of material to re-do this tail if I must in the off chance I totally fundamentally cannot use this design. (I would repurpose it somehow). However I believe regardless of what happens I can most certainly use this version of the tail. With a design like the given one, it can be exceptionally difficult to make a good moving articulated tail just because of the support needs for something like this. Also, the shaping necessary for a pleasant curve of the tail (see: foam block 3 from the base) can be difficult to work with when making a more mechanical-looking tail.

BUT THAT'S OKAY. Because the power of Plating and Scrap Foam is not to be underestimated. While not perfect, it can give the illusion of being mechanical and not "Hey I See How The Tail Works" via strategic placement of plates (which is either gonna be plastic that I heat up and them form into the correct shapes or more of that delightful EVA). This is actually beneficial because it means if I go with the design in the above sketch, I lose Less of the movement overall which is a little more accurate to what I was looking to do.

The tail design I went with is specifically taking inspiration from the movements of the Sidewinder Snake, which has always been among my favorite reptiles. While not a lizard, I think the movements of the Sidewinder is really elegant (but also a bit haphazard) and I found that to be a good reference for designing how the weight would be distributed.

I am really glad that most of my materials are just ones I have happened across. I like recycling stuff to make new things. ...In a silly way this tail is a chimera... Using EVA foam pads from a car, and upholstery foam from some couches and stuff... Car and Couch Chimera....