Introduction: How to Make a Disposable Rubber Spatula
I needed a rubber spatula in uses for mixing in a small narrow-necked bottle. Therefore, the head of the spatula needed to be flexible, and if it were to get lost inside, cheap and easy to reproduce. I thought making the product would be easy, but then I realized that I didn't have any Sugru on hand. I also tried making mikey77's "Oogoo", but the only silicone caulking I had was GE II, which cannot be used to make Oogoo. Without any way to make my own rubber, I had to turn to a common substance: hot glue!! Today I will be showing you how to make your own useful mini and disposable rubber spatula using hot glue and some other common household materials! It's great for use in labs, for artists, and many other ways!
Step 1: Get Your Materials
- Hotglue gun
- A couple of hotglue sticks
- Hard, plastic surface (I used a frisbee)
- Liquid hand-soap or dish-soap
- Credit card or hotel key card
- Thin stick (I used a wooden skewer, but you can use a chopstick or even a pencil)
- Scissors
Step 2: Prep the Card
Plug in your hot glue gun and load in a hot glue stick. While you're waiting for the gun to heat up, put a little liquid soap on your plastic card and spread it around with your finger. This will prevent the hot glue from sticking to the card.
Step 3: Make the First Layer
Now, squirt some hot glue onto your larger plastic surface (a frisbee in my case). Now, take your card and place the soapy side onto the hot glue to flatten it out to about a 2 mm thickness. Hold for about 3 seconds, and then lift the card. You should have a solid layer of hot glue on the plastic surface you're working on. Once you are sure the glue has completely dried, gently peel off the layer of glue from the surface. This will be our bottom layer in the spatula.
Step 4: Embedding the Handle
Put a couple of dots of glue on the pointy portion of the skewer/stick, and then place this portion near the edge of the circle of glue we made. Apply a little more to make sure the skewer stays in place.
Step 5: Making the Second Layer
Now, take the entire assembly you made in the previous step and place it on the plastic surface. Get you gun, and start applying a large glob of glue on top. Once you have applied enough, use the plastic card to smooth out this glob as well. However, make sure you press harder on one side to give the "bladed" side of the spatula.
Step 6: Forming the Shape
Now, you should have a skewer embedded between two circles of glue, which resembles a clear lollipop! Use your scissors to cut out the shape of a spatula, similar to a bloated shark fin. Now, your spatula should be almost done. The final step is to use to edge of the hot glue gun's nozzle to sculpt the blade of the spatula. Use it on one edge of the spatula to melt it into the shape of the blade.
Once you have done this, your spatula is ready!
Step 7: Using It
DON'T USE THIS FOR BAKING, OR FOR ANYTHING YOU INTEND TO EAT.
You can use this, however, to mix paints, substances, or other stuff. This is a great addition to a lab for a quick, effective, cheap, and disposable stirrer. You can also use this to get small amounts of make up or cream at the bottom of narrow necked bottles. This tool is extremely useful!
The only thing I advise is that you do not use this in extreme heat, as the material will melt
Step 8: Conclusion
Why buy a Spatty when you can make one easily? This spatula has a wide range of uses, and a great opportunity for your mini scientific endeavors. Feel free to comment any suggestions or corrections you have. If you need any help making this, you are welcome to PM me! Thanks for watching, and I hope you enjoyed!
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25 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
I made this with sugru and instead of a flat head I made it more a scoop shape. It's great for getting all the face wash that's stuck at the bottom of the bottle!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Awesome!
9 years ago on Introduction
Although DIY is the way of the day, I go to the dollar store, buy a cheapo rubber/silicone spatula set, and carve them to my desired shapes.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
True, but as you said, I just wanted to show a way to make a real product from nothing. Thanks for the comment!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Both ideas are great: one for DIY and one for using/altering a cheap ready-made solution. I'd also include a thrift store for the latter.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yup that's true!
9 years ago on Introduction
Not a bad idea but I already bought the spatty and spatty daddy. Honestly, I'm glad I did. It's quality made, washing machine safe, and worth every penny at $10.99 for the pair. You can buy it for less than the cost to buy everything needed to make these. It's at least worth checking out at http://www.thespatty.com/products.cfm?lid=3385.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Hot glue sticks: $2.77
Hot glue gun: $4.64
Dial Dish Soap: $3
Complimentary Frisbee: $0
Skewers: $0
Key Card: $0
Scissors: $0.50
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Final Cost: $10.91 < $10.99
It doesn't make sense to say that it costs more to buy the materials here than the product itself simply because no one should buy these products just to make a bunch of these parody Spatties; it costs less for these materials because most of them were already purchased for other purposes. However, thanks for your comment!
9 years ago on Introduction
wwwwwwwwwwoooooooowwwwwwwwwww such a copy off shark tank
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yup that's what I was going for!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
I honestly don't think they read the 'ible to actually read that you referenced Shark Tank.
" While watching an episode of Shark Tank with my mother, one of the contestants presented her products, which were called the "Spatty" and the "Spatty Daddy"."
Awesome idea! I may have to use a variant of your variant. ;-)
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Wow, I didn't know so many people would recognize this product from the show (that's why I put the reference)! What's your variant? I'd love to hear it!
9 years ago on Introduction
I make something similar out of 100% RTV silicone. Make a cone out of paper. Put a crease in the paper if you want a knife edge in the tool. Fill the cone with silicone and push a handle into it. Let it harden up (the vapors pass through the paper pores), and then wash off the paper with water and a scouring pad.
Since hardly anything sticks to the silicone, it is a tool that can be used for a lifetime, avoiding the problems of "disposable" products.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Wonderful idea and very creative method! I'll be sure to try that some time!
9 years ago on Introduction
100% pure silicon caulking can be thinned enough to use on a project like this.
https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-waterproof-clothing-and-about-anything-else-/
The consistency depends on the amount of Mineral Spirits you use.
GREAT Instructable!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yup, but unfortunately I do not have an 100% silicone caulking, its usually some sort of mixture. But anyways, thanks!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Probably acrylic then.
9 years ago on Introduction
cool stuff! it could be super useful for lab work if you could adapt this to create a Magnetic Sitr Bar: http://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Stir-Bar-Octahedral-new/dp/B001ACNFDQ
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Hey that's a great idea!
9 years ago on Introduction
They DO sell Hot Glue sticks they advertise as non-toxic.
An interesting project.