Introduction: Wire Scorpion

Some time ago I saw a wire scorpion for sale in a souvenier shop. Fascinated, I bought one, determined to figure out how to build my own. Many trials and errors later, I figured it out. I'm not sure this is exactly how the "proffesional" one was made, and there is a bit of room for improvement, but this is definately a guide to get started.

Materials needed:
Soft wire (20g from WalMart's craft section in this case)
Wire snips
Pliers (to aid shaping)

Now, lets go through my first instructable.

Step 1: Gather Wire and Build Tail-

If using 20g wire, cut 14 pieces of wire 7inches(17cm) long. If using thicker wire, allow a little more length. (less for thinner wire)

Gather 6 pieces of wire together, find the middle, and wrap 1 strand around the rest. Repeat until two wires are left uncoiled. Twist these to the end.

To twist wire, bend wires to make a 90 degree angle, place between thumb and finger, and twist, making sure to keep wire at 90 degree angle.

Step 2: Adding Legs-

Bend the remaining 8 pieces of wire in half, these will be your scorpion's legs. Begining at the end of the coil (middle of the bundle), wrap the end of a bent wire around the bundle (see picture to clarify), and pull tight. Repeat for all 8 wires. Be sure each wire crosses in the same order (ie: left over right or vice versa).

Step 3: Build Body-

Flip scorpion over, and... How to explain...? Take the furthest 'back' pair of wires, and wrap them 'forward' over eachother (make sure the are each in the same order again), and then around the bundle again (see pictures to clarify). Repeat 7 times.

Step 4: Building Legs-

Flip scorpion over again, and twist together pairs of legs.

Step 5: Building Mandibles and 'arms'-

Take remaining 6 wires, and seperate into 3 pairs. The bottom most pair, top left most pair, and top right most pair.

Twist the top right pair together, and the top left pair as well.

Step 6: Trim and Bend-

Cut legs, tail, arms, and mandibles to appropriate lengths, and bend into desired pose. If you want, take the suggestion of another Instructable I saw, and dip it in PlastiDip for a bendy toy scorpion.

Enjoy!

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