so question -- I'm considering making a tail for a fursuit using a similar method -- and I'd like to ask -- did this tail end up getting stuffed? I was considering leaving the tail I'm making completely hollow, (although playing with the idea of putting a pool noodle inside or something) but just wondering if this tail was finished hollow? If not do you mind what I ask you used for stuffing?

Any insight would be great! :) Also, do you mind sharing what thickness of foam you used? I'm considering using .5 inch because it seems the easiest to work with but seems like it would be durable enough.

This tail was not stuffed because I put LED lights inside. It has held up well, but you do have to be really careful about squishing it. I decided to cover it in a layer of resin to make it hard. I used .25 inch L200. Anything thicker would have made it really hard for me to glue together. But I can also see upholstery foam working and that would take squishing better. :)

Okay, thanks for your input I appreciate it! I feel as long as it's not getting sat on or anything -too- much it'll hold up with foam construction. You think it would be a good idea to put like support rings inside? Like, I was thinking every section or so putting a one inch thick circle of foam to hold it up from the inside that way it's got some sort of something solid inside. Do you think that would make any difference? I may stuff the tip section as well, just kind of experimenting right now.

If the flame isn't super huge, I don't see any reason to add boning. The L200 doesn't collapse unless it is pushed on. Being squished is only a problem if it is squished for a long time because it will warp. But squishing from use is fine because it pops back into shape. :) However, Charizard's entire tail is hollow and I'm adding some boning to that. I'm currently revamping the costume. The tail doesn't really need the boning, but there's one spot it bends funny, so I want to reinforce that area. :) So it'll come down to how much the foam moves when it is put together.

I would definitely do something to the tip. Either stuff it or coat it in resin. The tip on my first flame got beat up pretty badly from one convention.

thanks!

I should add I don't planning on doing a Charizard tail exactly (so no tail flame to worry about) just wanted to make a longer dragon-like tail but not have it drag on the ground, which is why I was researching various methods of construction. Since it's going to be larger, like 4-5 feet, the idea of a hollow or mostly hollow tail also appealed to me, because I don't want it to be too heavy. I'm hoping that I'll be able to shape it in such a way that it stands up most of the time (like up against my back or close to it) so it won't get squished too much.