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.

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

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

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"

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.