Pressure Activated Spring Clamps for Hanging Spiders on High Places.

Spring clamps are a great way to mount stuff to beams, cables, and anything grabbable... This is simply giant clamps with a strong spring that make the jaw close with a very strong force, allowing it to hold significant weights (basically a giant laundry clip on steroids). The goal of this project is to build pressure-triggered spring clamps. Basically, clamps that lock open, but snap closed when something is pushed between the claws. Basically, allowing the clamp to be mounted by simply pushing it into something. Once this is attached to an extended stick, it can be used for hanging stuff like street art or decoration (spiders) in high places without a ladder. The preparation itself is about 5 minutes and requires a paper knife, masking tape, superglue or double-sided tape, and spring clamps.

1. Prep the Clamp (The "Loaded" State)

Squeeze the clamp handles together to open the jaws. Wrap masking tape around the handles to hold them in the open position. Leave a small gap between the handles where the clamp will be mounted.

2. Build the Trigger Cross

Take a cutter blade and a flat stick (skewer stick), and glue the blade horizontally across the flat skewer stick to create a cross shape. The sharp edge of the blade should be facing "up", and the stick should have a small bump above the blade where the clamp will sit. Pad this bump with a few layers of masking tape.

3. Mount to the Extension Pole

Secure the skewer at the bottom of the cross to the top of your extension pole using tape or zip ties, where the blade points upward.

4. Setting the Clamp

Position the clamp so that the tape-wrapped handles straddle the trigger blade. The tape should be resting lightly against the sharp edge of the blade. Now, if anything is pressed between the jaws of the clamp, the blade will push into the making tape and tear it, causing the clamp to snap closed. Note that the masking tape on the clamp sometimes sticks to the cross; therefore, it is better to lubricate the top of the cross where the clamp sits with oil.

This is great for hanging giant spiders and street art on high beams/poles/cables.

I use this combination with a 3-meter extended selfie stick and a 9-inch clamp, which can hang things up to 5 meters high and remain hanging almost permanently.