Hot Glue Cobwebs

Hot Glue Cobwebs

Last time I checked the only way to get decorative cobwebs right where you wanted them was to do-it-yourself since trained spiders seem to be in short supply or severely overbooked at Halloween time.

Read on for an easy solution to all your cobweb needs!

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I've tried different methods --

I've used the 'poly' stretch webbing that comes in the plastic bag, but it takes a lot of work to get it applied thin and wispy and often it will not stay where you put it.

I have a commercial rubber cement blower type (here is a consumer version), but I have never really used it. In tests it always seemed challenging to get it to put out the right amount of web. I was concerned about the fumes when using it and also if the rubber cement would damage surfaces. It just seemed too much trouble.

So my last option was glue sticks. There is a glue stick unit you can purchase, but I was wary about needing an air compressor and if my air compressor would put out enough air to make it effective.

Sooooo the only option left was to get creative and make my own...

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Step 1: Let's Get Blown Away!

I decided to skip the air compressor method and instead just use my little shop vacuum arranged to blow air.

Any high volume, high velocity air stream should work.

Materials:

1. Shop Vacuum/Vacuum Cleaner configured to blow air. (Or other high velocity, high volume air source -- some air mattress inflators will work).

2. Hot Glue Gun (Higher wattage is better since it will allow a more continuous flow of web/glue).

3. Glue sticks (longer sticks make it easier to make cobwebs nonstop).

4. Optional - Duct tape and/or zip ties to mount hose to glue gun if desired.

Step 2: Ready Aim - Cobwebs!

Make Some Cobwebs!

1. Make sure your glue gun has been heating for some time so it is at it's maximum temperature. Thinner glue seems to make nicer cobwebs.

2. Turn on your vacuum and position the hose so the air is blowing out below the glue gun tip.

You may want to tape or zip-tie the vacuum hose in place on the glue gun, but I have found it's not that hard to just hold it where you need it. (Note that it is perfectly acceptable to position/mount the air hose on the side of the glue gun and hold the cobweb 'gun' sideways so the glue drips down into the air path.)

3. Position yourself about 3 feet away from your target to start; adjust as needed.

4. Squeeze off some glue. As the glue drips down into the air stream the air will catch it and pull it into a thin filament and blow it out away from you.

5. Direct your cobweb filament wherever you want cobwebs!

Happy cobwebing!