Iron Merkin
Intro: Iron Merkin
Don't really know how to introduce this. It is an idea I had during a random Terrible Things discussion, and then I just had to make one. Alcohol was involved in the discussion, although not in the making.
A merkin is a pubic hair wig. An Iron Maiden is a medieval torture device. The Iron Merkin is both of those things, or neither. It is a terrible product idea.
STEP 1: The Merkin
I made the merkin itself out of 22 gauge steel. For the base, I cut a roughly triangular shape. For the "hair", I trimmed small pieces from scrap using tin snips, which tend to make the pieces curl as they cut. I welded the "hair" onto the base using a TIG welder, starting from the bottom and moving upwards. I held the "hairs" with a pair of pliers while welding them on. The base curved somewhat on its own from the heat applied just to the upper side of it, and I bent it slightly more by hand until it had a shape I liked.
STEP 2: The Packaging
I wanted the thing to have a look of a product, and it seemed pretty straightforward to give it a cardboard base with marketing on it. I used Photoshop to cobble together something vaguely product-like, borrowing an image from Erika Tanith for the merkin model (thanks Erika!). I printed this (photo paper would have worked well but I didn't have any) and glued it to a piece of cardboard using spray glue, trimming it to size with a utility knife. I then put a laminating sheet over top to get the shininess (folding the edges around back, which is not how packaging normally works but Hey).
As you can see the merkin looks FANTASTIC on its package!
STEP 3: Assembly
To attach the merkin to its backing, I used zip ties. I placed it where I wanted, then drew small marks for the holes the zip ties would go through. I cut the holes with a utility knife, pushed three zip ties through, and zipped them.
It looks so Producty! No Kickstarter coming, I promise.
33 Comments
Rowan_Winterhaven 2 years ago
Alex in NZ 2 years ago
vanweb 9 years ago
But how does it stay attached it the "intended area"?
G3kko 4 years ago
GriffB 6 years ago
Hot glue? Ouch!
MoTinkerGNome 9 years ago
CA glue?
GriffB 6 years ago
Rachel you're a sick puppy! I like that in a woman!
YDandAss 7 years ago
Dang, that's a tough gal there!
ShilpaAtwaal 7 years ago
I think I might be
using
ecodelight 8 years ago
excuse me? What the hell are you doing and why? No, you won't be consulting merkineers to enhance your collective knowledge. You are an embarrassment!
j.middlefinger 8 years ago
canida 8 years ago
Oh, this was from YOU! Best Secret Satan gift of the year.
And excellent work on the packaging. People really thought it might be a product.
Gryndar 9 years ago
Uh........hahahahaha. this made my day, thanks
TheAssemblagist 9 years ago
This is absolutely brilliant and wonderful and we should all embrace Merkins. In my family, we are proud to be ah merkins. Thank you for making this. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you for being alive. This merkin made my day. I'll be making' more merkins, thanks to your inspiration. You are a credit all all makers, and we salute you.
Tat2Chicky81 9 years ago
wilwrk4tls 9 years ago
While I don't think that this crosses too far, I do think that there should be an adult section for Instructables requiring age verification which would open up a whole new realm of project scopes. Very much separated, and yet in the same vein/format/etc.
Danger is my middle name 9 years ago
Definitely one of my all time favorite instructables!
Rachael K 9 years ago
Lol, does it come with a free tetanus shot? This could quite possible win for the weirdest, worstest, funniest, most confusing present ever given. Let me know if you make more, I might buy one for white elephant next year, hahaha!
Doctor90250 9 years ago
DSJesterXII 9 years ago
The iron maiden was never a mediaeval torture device. It was created by a circus troupe for stunts, and they claimed it was a torture device, so all the idiot peasants believed them.