Spider Box

This simple box looks just like any other box. It's made from an old pallet; however, this box contains a hidden secret that should get more than just a slight reaction from an unsuspecting passerby. Encased in this simple wooden box is a plastic spider that will surprise anyone trying to open your box.

I tried to get the reactions of a few of my friends on camera, however they were all too suspicious of me. If you get any great reactions with your spider box, please share them in the comments.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Materials

• Pallets
• Plastic or Rubber Spiders
• Dowel
• Rod or thick wire (I used an old bicycle spoke)
• Small nail

Tools

• Plane
• Saw
• Router with 1/2" and 3/8" bits
• 1" hole saw
• Clamps
• Glue

Step 2: Reclaim Wood

Using the widest boards on the pallets (mine were just over 5" wide) plane the thickness to 1/2".

Step 3: Cut to Size

Cut the boards down to the following dimensions:

• 2 Sides - 5" x 6" x 1/2"
• 1 Bottom - 3 1/2" x 6" x 1/2"
• 1 Back - 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1/2"
• 1 Front - 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" x 1/2"
• 1 Top - 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" x 3/8"

Step 4: Router for Joints

Using a router and two bits, cut the Rabbet joints 1/2" wide and 1/4" deep and the Dado 3/8" wide and 1/4" deep.

Step 5: Dry Fit

Dry fit everything together and make sure that it looks good to glue.

Step 6: Make Spider Mechanism

This is the part that makes the whole thing possible. Cut a dowel 3 1/2" long. I had one that was 7/8" just lying around so I used that.

Take a 1 inch hole saw and cut out a blank from one of the 2x4 pieces of the pallet. Drill out the center of the blank to fit over the 3 1/2" long dowel.

Be careful, remember that pallet wood is extremely dry and can easily break.

Glue the blank in the center of the dowel.

Step 7: Glue Together

Glue everything together. Make sure that your spider mechanism turns freely.

Step 8: Attach Spider

Drill a hole in the abdomen of the spider the size of whatever wire or rod you are using. I used an old bicycle spoke I had lying around.

Drill a hole in the center of the round spider mechanism the size of your rod.

Make a rough bend in the rod so that it fits inside the box.

Glue the spider on the rod and the rod on the mechanism.

The great thing about this is you can use whatever type of spider you like. I've even seen some boxes made with a fake small rat.

Step 9: Attach String

Pull the spider all the way out of the box and drill another hole in the mechanism. Glue a small nail in place. Tie a small string onto the nail.

Put the spider back in the box and put the lid in place (you may need to sand down the front of the box a little to allow space for the string.

Holding the string in place, open the lid slowly till it's clear of the spider. Mark the position of the string and lid and staple in place.

Step 10: Lid Pull

Open the lid and see where the spider lands. That's going the be where to locate the pull for the lid.

Step 11: Bait Your Victim

Some people are nosy enough to look into your box, others may need to be baited. The label of "Candy" may work for some people. Depending on your setting you may need to be creative in different ways to lure your victim.

Comments

[somesillymechanic]

I don't know if anyone mentioned it but you should paint or color the steel rod that holds the spider. In a couple of the pictures with light colored spiders it really stands out. A neutral color would do nicely. Just a suggestion not a criticism.

[MichaelG644]

I remember seeing this toy as a very young child at my grandmother's house. A snake would pop out and actually sting / bite you.
The other day one of my kids purchased one with a rat inside. He just left it on the kitchen counter without saying a word. A very curious granddaughter picked up the box examining it. Next thing you know a scream, the granddaughter is gone, and the box is laying on the floor.

[Pa1963]

We were in Tijuana in a curio shop. My sister reached for one of these. I tried to stop her but she tripped it, and the spider popped out. A very sharp nail pierced he fingernail and drew blood. The shopgirl thought thus was very amusing and seemed offended when we expressed our displeasure. So , be warned!

[AlexanderS290]

its going for Halloween...
why not use a little bat or some creepy bloody hand?

[HorusCok]

Thanks for the inspiration. Besides using a cat toy mouse, I made a slight modification to simplify the construction and mechanism. I drilled out recesses on each side and used a solid dowel. The mechanism is actuated through friction, when the lid is pulled back. I glues a couple of layers of old sand paper strips directly to the dowel to make up for the gap between the dowel and the lid. The sand paper grips the lid when it's open and turns the dowel and the mouse retracts when the lid is closed.

I also fond that using a larger dowel provides for a lot more control over when the mouse pops up; smaller dowels spin too fast and don't allow the lid to clear before the mouse wants out.

The lever attached to the mouse is just a piece of 12 g copper wire I had laying around super-glued into a hole drilled into the dowel.

1/2" plywood scraps, simple butt joints, ebony stain and a coat of wax. I wasn't overly concerned with fit and finish - it's a gag for a white elephant exchange over Thankgsgiving.

[fordtr1975]

My son and I enjoyed building this for his grandmother’s birthday! Priceless reaction!

[misterxp]

Nice istructable for making a box too! Thanks!

[valveman]

This is a great gag project.

I bet you have heard a lot of screams when people have opened the box.

[Willys36]

How about adding a wire to the roller with a lead fishing sinker on its end that counter weights the spider and sucks it back into the box

[tomatoskins]

You can definitely do that, however I found the weight of the wire and spider to be enough to pull it back it with no counterweight needed. You can see the GIF in the intro showing this.

[TheOrchidGirl]

Oh my gosh!! Someone did this to me once!!! :D

[makaylamehrens]

Is anyone selling one they made? I went online to purchase one but 30.00 is way to much for one of these

[richardfireone]

This is so hilarious!

[App119]

cool

[Dustin Rogers]

OMG!! This is perfect. A new co-worker is terrified of spiders. Must build this soon. Great work.

[JulianAzz]

im going to make one with a bat and an invisible wire

[lovethebackwoods]

I confess. I infected my beloved big sister with the geocaching bug. Earlier this month she had me help her build a wooden box that pops a ghoulish head out above the lid when the cache is opened. I guess I need to write another Instructable... This spider one is terribly ghastly!

[tomatoskins]

I would love to see it!

[TvoAqui]

Nice instructable.

[Catley]

As a 50-year former arachnophobe, I would say to choose your victim with care and be sure they don't have a weak heart and do have a good sense of humor, or you would be in trouble. Sometimes the fun and humor is all for the person making the practical joke, and none for the recipient. Not that I haven't enjoyed surprising or mildly scaring friends and family once in a while.