the start of a spider

[Fred H. 0]

This will be a golden silk orbweaver . we have always called them banana spiders. If there is a bigger spider indeginous to our area ,I've never seen one. I will show my progress from step to step in case anyone wants to follow along.

 

I will start off with a #10 4x hook and 210 denier white thread.After tying on attach 4 strands of .025 craft wire that is 6 inches long , on the underside of the hook using figure eights,then whip finish & cut your thread..

 

 

 

 

next we begin building the arms. tie on at the junction where the wire meets the hook and in turn create thickness to the areas of the arms where it will mimic its live counter part..

 

 

 

here is a pic of a live specimen I will look to for proportions and color. I will post more as I get further along.

[michel 0]

Hi Fred it is a beautyfull spider

 

michel921

[Fred H. 0]

I know I said a post a day but this is too much fun.

 

The next step after you build your legs with thread coat them with three thin coats of head cement or clear nail polish.

 

next color allthread on the hook itself with a black marker as it will be hard to get to later.

the carapace is next .cut from foam(4mm will work here) will also include the head and fangs

 

 

 

note the fangs in black here. add two pieces of Jap nymph legs.make a small hole on each side but to the rear of the fangs with a bodkin or needle.then place JNL in those holes with a little super glue.

 

after glue set ,bend your antenea with a warm bodkin

[Fred H. 0]

Thanks Michel, are you going to tie one along with me?

[Andrés T 0]

Hi Fred, I only have one objection, you need a better camera LOL,LOL.

You are going to publish a book, or somebody is going to ask you to write a magazine article with some pics and you will need good photographs.

Good work my friend!

Andrés

[Fred H. 0]

as we cotinue with our spider. we will now form the abdomen out of (6mm) foam. be sure to leave a tag of extra to use to tie in.

 

next we paint the carapace and the bottom of the abdomen

 

then we add color to the legs. I like to add my dark colors first.its easier to correct mistakes

edit: Tie back on with black thread and work your thread back to the last pair of legs were you will tie in the abdomen and carapace.then work your thread forward under the carapace to yhe tie off point just behind the head.then whip finish.

[Fred H. 0]

the following photos are the final painting and trimmig legs to size.

 

This last picture ,I tried to get the live spidder to pose with my creation. It wasn't happening

[Fred H. 0]

interesting side note:because of the way the legs wre contructed they are completely poseable . Hadn't had this much fun playing with anything since I was a kid and got a GI Joe with a kung fu grip.He He

[Fred H. 0]

Hey Andres,just saw you slipped a comment in there. I know my photo skills are lacking. I don't no if a new camera would help.But I'm willing to try. what would be a good camera for this?

And if anyone else is reading this and knows what camera is the best for macro phptos please let me know.

[J.Z 0]

VERY COOL!!!

[Fly Tyer Guy 0]

Nice spider!

 

About a camera, I have a fuji finepix s700 and love it!, I'm not saying you should go and buy it right away, you need to try it out in a store first, it works great for me, but that does not mean it will be to your liking. Macro is excellent, it has macro and super macro. It also has manual capabilities. The s700 is also amazingly easy to use. I got it on slae for $150, you could try ebay, maybe there would be a better deal on there.

[shooter 0]

that is one good looking spider,now all you need is a web,you do some pretty work fred.

[Fred H. 0]

thanks Shooter,I had an idea to put the live one in a shadow box and let him build a web ,then replace him with the fly.We'll see how that goes.

[tyrite 0]

wow you have a real talent when it comes to inventing new realistic looking flies. great job!

 

tyrite

[Fred H. 0]

Thanks Glenn,do the step by steps look easy enough to follow?