The Chinese finger trap is a novelty toy that traps a victim's fingers inside a cylinder.The harder the victim tries to escape, the tighter the finger trap gets.Chinese finger traps are usually made of bamboo, but they can also be made with fabric, ribbon, or even paper.
Step 1: Cut 2 1 2 centimetres out of paper.
You can get construction paper or colored printer paper that's about 12 inches long.Use a pencil and a ruler to draw a set of 1 2 centimetres wide strips.Use a craft blade or paper slicer to cut the paper.You can cut the paper with scissors, but the edges may be crooked.Cut the paper shorter if it's more than 11 to 12 inches.
Step 2: Cut another set of strips from a different color.
You can get another sheet of colored, 11 to 12 in long printer paper or construction paper.Cut the 2 more 1 2 centimetres strips with a paper slicer or a metal straight edge.You should have 4 strips of paper when you are done.
Step 3: To make a right angle, glue 2 strips of paper together.
To create a right angle or L-shape, take 1 strip of each color and overlap the ends.Glue the ends with hot glue, liquid school glue or a glue stick.Let the paper dry.Once for each set of strips, do this step twice.It's important that you glue 2 different colors together.Attach the yellow and orange strips together.
Step 4: A thick marker is needed to find the width of your finger.
A permanent marker could be used for this.You can also use a rod.The finger trap will end up too thin if you use a skinny ballpoint pen or pencil.
Step 5: To make an arrow shape, glue the L-shapes to the end of the marker.
There is a drop of hot glue at the end of the marker.Put the point into the glue with 1 of your strips.The markers should look like arrows when you are done.The marker should have hot glue on it.Don't put it at the tip.The hot glue will hold the paper in place.You can wrap a strip of double-sided tape around the marker.Look at the color that's facing you.Remember that if you used yellow and orange for your paper, the yellow strip is facing you.
Step 6: The second set of strips should be Glued to the other side of the marker.
The strips of paper should now be on the back of the marker.Make another drop of hot glue on the end of the marker, then press the second set of paper strips down into it.Make sure both sets of strips are aligned.You should still see the arrow shape if you look at the marker from the front and back.Make sure you are facing the same color.The yellow should be facing you on the first set of strips.
Step 7: Wrap the marker with a strip.
You should have 2 strips in front and 2 in the back of your marker.Wrap the front-right strip around the marker.It should be under the back-right strip.The section is similar to weaving a basket or rug.Remember to weave the strips over and under each other if you get lost.
Step 8: The marker has a back-right strip.
Pull the back-right strip around the marker to the front.The marker is wrapped around the front-right strip.You are weaving with the old back-right strip, not the new one.
Step 9: Wrap the back left strip around the marker.
The left strip is behind the marker.It should be wrapped around the left side of the marker.Pull it under the left strip and the right strip.You should be able to see the woven pattern.
Step 10: Wrap the back-right strip over the marker.
Put the marker in a different position so that you can see the back strips.There is a strip behind the marker on the right side.Wrap it around the marker.Under the front-right strip, weave it.The first set of weaves is complete with this step.The X should be on the front and back of the marker.
Step 11: If you want to repeat the process, tighten the strips.
To tighten the marker, pull the right and left strips together.Continue weaving the strips around the marker until you reach the end.There are many ways to weave the strips, and you can invent a method that works for you.There are two sets of strips around the marker.
Step 12: Continue weaving after the marker is moved through the finger trap.
You might run out of room on the marker to weave the paper.Remove the ends of the paper from the glue or tape.The marker should stick out of the other end if you slide it through the finger trap.You now have more markers to use.After this, you don't have to glue or tape the ends of the paper.To make room for weaving, you may have to push the marker through the finger trap a few times.It doesn't matter how much you push the marker up.You're all set if you have enough room to keep weaving the paper.
Step 13: Glue the ends of the strips together.
The paper will become shorter as you weave it.Glue the ends of the strips together when you have 2 centimetres left.The 2 strips on the front of the pen should be done first.You can use hot glue, liquid school glue or a glue stick.
Step 14: The marker can be removed from the finger trap.
The trick to using a Chinese finger trap is to gently slide your finger out.Don't pull the marker too hard.Depending on how tightly you wove the paper, you can just stand it on its end and let the marker slide out.
Step 15: If needed, trim the paper.
They made perfect angles when you glue the strips together.You may have ended up with some paper sticking out from under the top strip, if you glue them at the end.The excess paper should be trimmed with scissors so that it isn't with the paper that's on top.If you have an orange strip that is sticking out from under a yellow strip, you should trim it down until it is flush.
Step 16: Try to get the index fingers out of the trap.
The tighter the trap becomes, the harder you pull on your fingers.The trap will widen if you push your fingers together.If the trap widens, brace it with your thumbs and slide your index fingers out.The finger trap should not be flattened.The paper strips will not slide past each other and the trap won't work if they develop creases.