Six-Foot Wide Spider Decorations!
Introduction: Six-Foot Wide Spider Decorations!
This spider laid flat is actually 7'4". With the legs bent is just under 6'.
This isn't cheaper than the spiders you can buy online but I think it looks better and it's a fun project to work on with your family.
This spider has 3' long legs with a 16" diameter body and 8" diameter head.
Step 1: Supplies:
($1.53) 1/2 in. x 6 ft. Foam Pipe Insulation - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-2-in-x-6-f...
($44) Klein Tools HD2000-9NE Side Cutter Linemans 9-Inch Electrical Pliers - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002RI9Y0/re... (These came highly recommended to cut and bend the 12 gauge wire easily.)
($27) 14 Gauge Galvanized Steel Wire - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046ECYOQ/re...
($14) 12 Gauge Steel Galvanized Wire - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046ECYOQ/re...
($6) Electrical Tape Black (5-Pack) - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0046ECYOQ/re...
($9) Fishing Line – 30 lb - https://smile.amazon.com/Stren-SHIQS30-15-High-Im...
($8.50) Single Barrel Crimp Sleeves - 0.055 Inch Inside Diameter - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GFAYOS/re...
($10) Pocket size crimping and cutting tool - 5 1/2 -Inch - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GFAYOS/re... or ($18.40) Crimping Pliers with Built-in Wire Cutters - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003GFAYOS/re... 858
(The smaller crimping tool works fine but I bought these bigger ones for bigger crimp sleeves for another project and these are so much nicer and make the crimping easier.)
($80 for 3 yards) FabricLA Shaggy Faux Fur Fabric - 60" X 72" Inches - Dark Brown - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0844Z2DT4/re... (There is probably much cheaper faux fur to be found if you shop earlier in the year. I spent more $ on this than expected because it was the fur I could get in time to make this project)
($8.50) LED Finger Lights - https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UL543R0/re...
Small or medium needle-nose pliers
Scissors
X-acto knife or utility knife
Hot glue gun & glue sticks
Tape measure
Cutting mat (optional)
Black trash bag (optional)
Safety goggles or glasses
Step 2: Wires
Each wire will need to be cut a few inches longer for making loops and to twist around each other in the build.
ALWAYS wear safety goggles or glasses when cutting wire, it will snap back at you especially at the longer lengths. BE VERY CAREFUL when opening the spools of wire for the first time, they are wound very tightly and will unwind quickly and can cut you.
Cut wires into the following lengths:
12 gauge wire - this is a very strong and thick wire which is difficult to bend so it's only used for the base of the head and body.:
For roughly a 16” diameter body you will need to make a 50” circle so cut 52”.
For an 8” diameter head you will need to make a 25” circle so cut 27”.
14 gauge wire - this gauge is strong enough to hold the shape but easier to bend and twist into place:
For the body cut 5 pieces at 27”
For the head cut 3 pieces at 14.5”
For the legs cut 8 pieces at 40”
Step 3: Head and Body Base
Loop the ends of the 12 gauge body wire together and close the ends as tightly as possible.
Repeat with the head wire.
Mark with small pieces of electrical tape where you want to attach the legs. The loops at the end of the circles is where I connected the head and body together. The legs look better starting close to the head. The tape will also help hold the wires in place during the build. 673