From: Xodiac
Subject: Re: FL: Tails in motion…. (part two from section above)

The second method is to take an aluminum tube an inch or two in diameter and cut it into segments six or eight inches long. Cut the ends to look and work like one of those plastic snakes you can buy. That’ll let it have free movement in one dimension; it can either be modified to become a universal joint, allowing free movement everywhere, or you can have the axis pivot somewhat. Attach each piece to three springs – holding it left, right, and up – along the entire length. Each piece will need a slightly different strength spring, because as you go towards the tip each spring will have less weight on it. This method allows for great motion, but between cutting the aluminum and figuring out the exact pull needed for each spring it’s an absolute ton of work.