The good stuff!!  This is plastic armatures.  I can across it a year or so ago, but didn't think about using it until now. http://www.crscraft.com/products/vProduct1.asp?pid=Armature&L1=1&L2=8&L3=0&L4=0&L5=0&V2=1&V3=1&V4=0&T2=Category&T3=Style&T4=&cat=doll+supplies&sub=Fasteners&class=&searchOffset=x I am using the 1/8" size.  It seems larger than 1/8" and I've inquired about getting it in a smaller size.  Because of the ball and cup design it moves every which way you can imagine and it stays in that position.  I believe it will last much longer than just wire.  It will be very nice if they are able to carry a smaller size then I think I might be able to use it in human finger.  If you notice it has a slight skeletal look to it, so I look forward to using it in my Road Kill version of a possum next....Shhhhhh it's a secret.  I'm building that one for my husband in my spare time. LOL  

The first layer is headliner to give it some cushion.   Second layer is Antron Fleece.  I left about 6-8 sections uncover, so I could thread it through a hole in the back of the puppet.  This isn't show in the photos, but on the outside of the foam as well as on the inside I attached at 45mm plastic washer from a doll joint to give the hole security.  Inserted the uncovered end of the tail and secured to the inside of the foam structure.  At this point most of the fur had been attached to the puppet except the back piece so I could attach the tail and neck sleeve.

Julie

Brilliant stuff, Julie! I never would have thought of using that stuff for a tail. It looks like it will work really well, especially for a creature with a prehensile tail. Can't wait to see more!
Chris

I also used it for the fingers.  Worked great as well.  I will add those photos soon.

The octopus is looking good.

Julie

So AWESOME! Can I come live in your shop and play with the puppety stuff?!

GREAT!

Great idea to use the armatures for the tail and fingers.  I have to admit like Chris that I had never thought of doing this.

Very nice find. Thanks for taking the time to share your pictures.  I never remember to take any.

You are welcome. Most of the time I forget as well. 

I will try to post more photos today.

I thought I had the top arms complete.  I tried using a purse magnet to secure the arm rooms inside the writs.  It seemed to hold quite well, but when I covered the hand and tried the rod, the angle at which the rod had to be moved and tilted was precisely the angle that Mede the snap release.  Hade to open up the hand for surgery and go back to the snap method.

Practiced some airbrushing yesterday as well. I believe It will work great to help blend the transition between the two colors of fur. 

One bit of interesting information, the armature is actually industrial coolant hose.  Who would of thought.  I spoke with the manager of  CR'S Crafts about the possibility of getting it in a smaller size.  To give the tail more thickness and cushion you will notice in the photos above that I first covered it with headliner, but in the photos I will post later I only covered it with fabric.  I think it might be a bit bulky for human fingers, but if they cant't get a smaller size I might try it on the next human caractures.

I thought the armature was something manufactured for doll making.  Hmm... you learn something new every day. Their national site list a lot more sizes so I bet they can get it for you. http://www.crscraft.com  They have 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 1/2 and 3/8 inch.  They also have something called Flexlimb listed under pre-assembled armatures that is 8" x 1/2" that looks interesting.

For the doll industry they just don't put the whole through the center.  The 1/8 is not really 1/8" that is the inner diameter if their was a whole running through the center.  The actual width is more like 1/4".  The manufacture makes as 3/32, but that also is the inner diameter, CRS don't know what the outer diameter would be. They are going to see if they can get a sample for me to see the outer diameter.

Julie

Alrighty, moving on to the fingers.

The fingers are about 6 links of armature covered in antron fleece.  I then secured the fingers to sintra by drilling small holes on either side of the fingers then used twist tie (like bread twisty only plastic coated) to secure them in place.  Then a lot of hot glue.


Any questions?

I wanted to also include this photo.  Hand Surgery.  After all the work in the top photos I discovered that the magnetic snap that I used for attach the rods was not holding well enough so......hand surgery.  I included this so everyone will know that if you make a mistake, not all is lost. Took it apart and added the normal snap assembly I use and reattached everything good as before.
  

Just LOVE my job.

Julie

I like em! Yep stuff happens... one reason I always hate using glue gun on some elements. It can be so hard to remove.   Then again that does say something for it's holding power.

They look great and I'm assuming that they hold their positions quite well?
I really need to learn about removable rods!
Chris

This is so beautiful!