The Incredible Shrinking Web Slinger

It’s hard to deny that Spider-Man has some of the greatest powers of any superhero. Even if his character is modeled after the absolute creepiest members of the animal kingdom, who wouldn’t like to swing around town using his web shooter? Unfortunately, that’s only possible in comic books, but Will van den Bogert from “the. Amazing, PhD” YouTube channel built a wrist-mounted web slinger that is the next best thing.

Using the device, Will is able to shoot webs with a quick flick of the wrist. However, the web slinger, named WEB (Wrist Ejection Bracelet), is a bit on the large side. No self-respecting superhero impersonator wants to use a cheap-looking imitation of what's depicted in the comics, so Will recently did some work to miniaturize and improve WEB.

In his latest prototype, Will focused on squeezing advanced functionality into a dramatically smaller form factor without sacrificing performance. The result is his most refined version yet, featuring a custom-designed printed circuit board that replaces bulkier off-the-shelf control systems used in earlier builds. At the center of the electronics is a Microchip ATSAMD21 microcontroller, paired with a TC1508A motor driver to control two separate motors — one responsible for actuating the valve that releases the pressurized “web” fluid, and another for deploying a retractable trigger mechanism.

Powering the system is a compact 3.7V battery setup, complete with onboard charging and regulation. A USB-C port is integrated directly into the bracelet, allowing both charging and programming through a single connection. A small NeoPixel LED provides visual feedback, while a cleverly embedded force-sensitive resistor detects the user’s finger press on the flexible trigger.

Will adopted a “reverse design” philosophy, stripping away unnecessary bulk and optimizing how each component interacts. The housing, primarily 3D printed using PET-G for durability, sits just 13mm off the wrist — an impressive reduction in size. Flexible TPU materials were used for the trigger assembly, balancing comfort and resilience.

Internally, the device includes a machined pressure vessel capable of handling up to 100 PSI, ensuring enough force to propel the web fluid outward. To conserve space, traditional springs were replaced with magnetic ones, which provide tension for mechanisms like the ratcheting latch and a USB-C port cover.

During testing, structural weaknesses in the plastic housing caused failures under pressure. Will addressed this by rebalancing the mechanical leverage — lengthening the motor arm while shortening the valve arm — to shift stress away from fragile components and onto the motor itself.

On the software side, Will developed a custom bootloading solution using Serial Wire Debug (SWD) connections and a specialized jig that allows him to program boards without soldering. He also implemented non-volatile flash storage so the device can remember its state between uses.

While it may not let you swing between skyscrapers, WEB is a fun build all the same. Check out the project video below to see it in action.