Latex stunt neck seals research and build thread

[Turrican]

Nice wip Karin, looking foward to your next steps.

[Trooperman]

Looking forward to seeing this complete

[Sonnenschein]

Nice wip Karin, looking foward to your next steps.

 

I'll keep you posted!

 

Looking forward to seeing this complete

 

I wished it was already done!

 

 

Looking great Karin keep up the good work

 

Will do ! Fortunately, the mold is done by a friend of mine.

[Sonnenschein]

Can someone with photoshop skills make the white sculpt black? Just for the fun!

Thanks in advance!

[Sonnenschein]

Thanks to my good friend Darth Aloha, here's a black version:

 

[R5SB[TK]]

The photoshopped image makes it seem achingly close! Hope you continue to make great progress.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Looking good in black

[Sonnenschein]

Thanks, guys!

 

 

BTW: I had a revelation last night.

Look at the top of the neck seal,just below the chin. There are no ribs, and it seems to be a different material, darker, not reflective.

 

I am convinced they're wearing a necktie/bandana to help with sweat and other issues of the latex!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Does look like some type of material, I suppose rubber direct on the skin would make you sweat alot, could have been and add-on as they where getting too sweaty

[Sonnenschein]

Indeed. A black bandana would be the best choice, IMO

[Spectre]

It would be a tad uncomfortable, so perhaps you are correct.

[Sonnenschein]

So, no balaclava after all, just a bandana!

[Darth Aloha[Admin]]

Having spent hundreds of hours underwater with a latex neck seal around my neck I'm here to tell you there's no way I could wear one on land for very long without being totally irritated and uncomfortable.

 

I know a few folks who use this thing called a bioseal:

http://www.apollosportsusa.com/Products/Drysuits/Bioseal.htm

It helps some not come out of the water looking like they were performing some sort of subsea auroerotic asphyxiation ritual. Even if you're not allergic to latex it can leave a nasty ring around your neck.

 

To keep a dry suit neck seal pliable if helps to keep it powered after a rinse and dry. Pure unscented talcum power works the best. It helps when you put it on over your head and keeps it from drying out and cracking.

 

Other people use seal saver to keeps their neck seals pliable over time. I've never used it:

http://www.mcnett.com/Seal-Saver-Dry-Suit-Seal-Conditioner-P252.aspx

 

I had the latex of a neck seal degrade to the point of tearing before a dive because I think I left it in my basement near a hot water heater or some other motor that emits ozone. It seems its fairly common for the latex in that situation to get sticky and tacky especially around the edges.

 

There is a company that makes silicone replacement neck seals for people who have a latex allergy:

http://www.waterproof-usa.com/pages/dsa_silicone_neckseal.html

http://www.sitech.se/pages/default_uk.asp?SectionID=3366

http://www.seaskin.co.uk/acatalog/SITech_NeckTite_System_and_Silicon_Seals.html

 

One of the most liberating moments after moving to HI was selling my cold water drysuit

 

Aloha,

 

-Eric

[Sonnenschein]

Thanks for input, Eric!

 

that's the main reason this "replica" won't be skin tight; it won't actually "seal" your neck. It will hve some give, so hopefully it'll be more comfortable.

 

BTW: if you could tell me the thickness of a real seal, it would help me a little.

[Spectre]

I've been thinking (wierd,I know) that it would be cool (in an idealized suit) to have some sort of ribbed latex seal around all the parts, so that any gap between your bodysuit and the armour is only seen as a 'spacey' looking seal.

 

Sorta like the neck seal, but permanently attached to the part. I guess basically a 'real' environment seal. Not really functional, but just for looks.

I reckon it would look cool especially on the forearms..

Maybe I'm just dreamin'.

[Sonnenschein]

Interesting idea, John!

 

Great news, everyone! Molding starts tomorrow. A glove mold with a two part fiber glass shellm which a friend of mine is making.

 

If there's interst, I'll document every step. Maybe we all can learn something about mold making.

[Griffin-X[TK]]

Can't wait to see the prototype Karin. Keep up the great work on this!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Hows the fibreglass fumes going Karin, bit different to latex lol

[Sonnenschein]

No fiberglassing yet.Does it really smell funny?

 

Actually, latex stinks a lot, as it evaporates ammonia while curing.

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

No fiberglassing yet.Does it really smell funny?

 

Actually, latex stinks a lot, as it evaporates ammonia while curing.

 

Fibreglass has a really strong smell, have a window open when using it

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

having a cloth liner that could be added and removed would help make it washable?

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

having a cloth liner that could be added and removed would help make it washable?

 

Would be more comfortable too, maybe less sweating

[Spectre]

I think that wearing a black bandana like Karin reckons the troopers wore under the neck seals will work well. Saves making a dedicated liner.

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

a bandana would make the neck larger. and who says it was a bandana? I'd

figure that it would have a cotton liner, thin and wickable.

 

for a person with a large neck (me) I'd need it to be lined, and the latex will need to be

very very strong, since my helmet rubs up against my cloth neckseals.

 

even karin's handplate latex tears. I've had 2 pairs tear chunks, or even ripp in half.

[Spectre]

It wouldn't really make it heaps thicker. A few mm at the most.

There would have to have been something there, or those poor guys would have been hella uncomfortable. Or maybe not, there's no evidence either way I guess.

 

Anyway, that's what I would probably use if there were no liners included.