How I Made My Own Spiderman Web Shooters

When HT was 10-years-old, he wanted to be able to shoot webs like Spiderman. There was a lack of high quality, realistic web shooters available for purchase then so he decided to make his own. Today, HT has sold close to 300 self-made web shooters on Etsy under the brand HeroTech, mostly to middle-aged Americans, some of whom buy for their kids. LUCK-IT couldn’t resist asking how he made that happen.

“It’s a lot easier than you think—almost everything I learned to make the web shooter was learned through free online resources.”

Q: Hi! So excited to have you with us today! Tell us about yourself: Who are you and why did you decide to start making your own web shooters?

A: Hi! While I’d rather not share specific details related to who I am, I can tell you that I’m a pretty huge nerd. I’ve always loved engineering and inventing new things, so when I heard about the then-new Spider-Man Homecoming movie coming out, I wanted to make my own web shooters. There’s something pretty magical about bringing things from science fiction to reality, and after 6 months of prototyping I was able to make something satisfactory to me.

How do your web shooters work?

When engineering I try to follow the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) method, and that’s the approach I went with this. Basically, inside the web shooter is a block on a spring. The projectile itself also has a spring on it, and when the projectile is loaded into the shooter, the block catches on a latch on the projectile, thus keeping it in place. Fishing line is tied to the block and around the middle finger, so when the fishing line is pulled, the projectile releases.

How is it you know how to create a mechanically functional gadget? Was it something you studied in school or something you picked up on your own?

I took physics in school, so I had some basic knowledge of mechanical principles. However almost every other part of the construction of the web shooter was self-learned through online resources.

How did you find and acquire the parts required to make your web shooters?

Almost all of it was online through sites like AliExpress, eBay, etc.

Can you talk us through the process of creating your web shooters? What did you do first, and next and so on and so forth?

First, I had to define the parameters and goals of the project: what specific capabilities did I want the web shooters to have? From there, I was able to ideate several solutions to the different goals, and then prototype them. Some worked, most didn’t, and I retested the prototyping process until I found systems that worked. From there it was just refining and testing the web shooters to make them reliable and looking good.

Did you succeed the very first time you tried to create a web shooter or did you have any failed prototypes? If so, how many of your early designs failed and why did they fail?

Nothing ever worked the first time—oh my goodness was the prototyping process arduous and frustrating. I lost count of the failed designs somewhere after version 20. Most of the failures were due to unaccounted for variables or stresses in the environment.

How many months did you take in total to figure out how to get your device to work? And how much money did you spend in the process of doing so?

The first working version took about 6 months and $800 SGD to develop.

What was your routine like when you were thick in the midst of creating your web shooter?

As I was studying full-time, I was usually only able to work on the web shooter in my free time. When I was able to squirrel away time to work on it, it was usually late in the night or early early morning.

What about weekends? How did you spend weekends then?

Weekends were spent with friends and family usually, but occasionally I liked to show them the prototypes and get their opinions.

What advice do you have for someone thinking of making their own superhero gadgets too?

My advice is that it’s a lot easier than you think—almost everything I learned to make the web shooter was learned through free online resources, so don’t be too intimidated to try making gadgets of your own.

Can you map out a recommended plan of action for people wanting to create their own superhero gadgets to follow?

The design thinking process is what I’d go for—empathise, define, ideate, prototype and test. These five steps are pretty essential for creating anything of use, and once you find something you want to make, it’s just a matter of following these steps.

What key things/people/situations enabled you to create your web shooters, in your opinion?

In my opinion, me creating the web shooter and the resultant online success of it was mainly enabled by my situation and circumstance. I was lucky enough to have access to a 3D printer via my school, and my parents were supportive of me and what I wanted to create.

How did having successfully created a working web shooter change you as a person? Or did it not change you? And what did you learn from doing it that you didn’t know before?

It changed me because I learned what I can do if I just set my mind to a goal and work consistently towards it.

If you could go back and replay your entire process of engineering web shooters all over again, what would you do differently?

I wouldn’t change a thing actually. The hiccups and failures are the real takeaways for me, and the process as a whole was quite enjoyable—those moments of triumph when something actually worked made it all worth it.

What were you like as a child? What about as a teenager and young adult? How did you change at every decade? Or did you not change?

As a child I was quite carefree and happy—ever since young, I loved to create things. Legos were my favourite toys. As a teenager/young adult, I became quieter and generally more mature. I still love to create things, however instead of Legos, I use CAD modelling and 3D printing now.

Which major event in your life has made you who you are, in your opinion? Why do you think so?

The moment when the first web shooter video hit 1 million views on YouTube was an epiphany moment for me. I realised not only was there a sizeable audience and demand for HeroTech, but that I could tap into it even with the limited experience and knowledge I had. HeroTech has long been a pipe dream of mine, something I envisioned doing on the side while I worked a full-time job. I never imagined that I could do it right now. I’ve never been the kind of person who wanted to change the world or make my mark on history, but that moment truly made me realise the impact and reach even a kid with barely any engineering experience could have on a large community, something that has propelled and driven me ever since.

Which 3 objects/people in your life can you presently not live without and why?

My mom, dad and my friends. (Technically more than 3 but who’s counting 🙂 ) I think friends and family are the most important things in life, and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Of all the objects you bought in the past year, which has been most useful? Why?

3D printer for sure. Specifically the Prusa i3 MK2, shoutout to Prusa Research #pleasesponsorme. It’s allowed me to bring ideas from my mind into physical reality, and is my most invaluable engineering tool.

Which person do you wish LUCK-IT would interview for you to learn from? Why?

Anyone who’s done a lot of good for the community would be awesome to interview.

[LUCK-IT Update: We have interviewed a gentleman who has done just that, right here. And another lady too, right here.]

What’s the worst advice you’ve been given, or have heard people giving? And what’s the best?

Worst advice I’ve ever heard is “get so drunk you forget everything”, and the best I’ve heard is “this too shall pass”.

Lastly, what other superhero gadgets do you intend to create in the future?

Some Iron Man projects are planned, as well as some stuff from the Flash, and of course more web shooters.

HT is presently working on making metal web shooters, a micro flying ornithopter, and some other secret stuff. You will be able to track his progress and see his web shooters in action via HeroTech’s YouTube channel, Instagram page, Facebook page and Twitter account. You may also ask him questions by leaving them in the comment box below.

Interviewer Note:
You make me want to go invent gadgets to solve all of life’s problems now. Thanks for helping me realise everything’s doable 🙂

Photographs courtesy and copyright of HeroTech. Interviewer: Sy
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