Page 94 - Q01-2021 Fins Magazine

DIY | Mermaid

TAIL STAND

Supplies

• 4x 5” metal pipes (1/2” width) • 1x 48” metal pipe (3/4” width)
• 3x 8” metal pipes(1/2”width) • 1x metal flange (3/4” width)
• 2x 12” metal pipes (1/2” width) • 4x nuts, bolts, washers OR screws
by Spikey Mermaid • 1x metal tee (1/2” width) • 1x Pine round (1” x 2’ x 2’)
@spikeymermaid • 1x metal cross (1/2” width) • 1x thick pool noodle
• 4x metal elbows (1/2” width) • Wood stain of your choice (optional)
• 4x metal caps (1/2” width) • Epoxy (optional)
• 1x 1 1/2” metal connector (1/2” width) • Power tools, gloves, safety equipment
• 1x 3/4” to 1/2” metal reducer coupling

How To

Working from top to bottom, screwing on as hard as you can (or) painting the threads with
epoxy:
• Attach the 12” pipes to two of the elbows.
• Attach two of the 8” pipes to the other ends of the elbows. The 12” pipe and 8” pipes are
now connected.
• Attach the 8” pipes to the Tee. Tighten these arms up and pointed slightly back as they will
be holding the tips of your fluke.
• Attach the tee to the 8” pipe and the bottom of the 8” pipe to the top of the cross.
• Attach two of the 5” pipes to the left and right side of the cross.
• Attach the elbows to the ends of the 5” pipes, and attach the remaining 5” pipes in the other
end of the elbow.
• Tighten these arms down and facing forward, as they will be the arms that hold the weight
of your tail.

My name is Jessy, I’m an environmental scientist by day, a roller • Attach the 1 1/2” connector to the bottom of the cross and the reducer coupling.
derby skater by night and a crafty mer in between. I designed this
tail stand because I needed something to dry my tail after swimming • Attach the 48” pipe to the 3/4” side of the reducer coupling. Lastly attach the flange at the
without taking up too much room. The design is based off of bottom.
existing tail stand tutorials but with some slight modifications to Voila! The armature for the tail stand has been completed. Before moving on, stain or paint the
provide more support for large flukes.
round as desired.
I noticed there wasn’t an easy one page tutorial on how to create a • On the pine round, draw an x to identify the middle of the round.
tail stand, just videos and some old blog posts, so I decided to make
one that could be easily saved to your phone or shared widely. I • Measure 3” back and set the flange. If using bolts, try to counter sink them in the bottom for
don’t take credit for the design, it’s pretty self-explanatory, but I do stability.
love that the tutorial has been well received. I live in Florida with my • Once the flange is secured to the base screw on the armature.
boyfriend, 2 cats, dog, 3 quail, turtle, and tortoise. I enjoy free diving
in Florida’s springs, roller skating, and crocheting. • Cut pool noodles into 5” and 12” pieces and attach onto the 5” arms and the 12” arms.
• Cap the pipes to finish.
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