Rattlesnake Eggs

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DOWNLOAD THE SVG VECTOR FILE FOR GLOWFORGE LASER CUTTER

This is an update to a classic practical joke I loved as a kid. My grandfather used to keep a small yellow envelope that had ‘Rattlesnake Eggs’ written on it inside the door of his refrigerator. It was there to freak out anyone who visited his home. If you got curious enough to open the yellow envelope of rattlesnake eggs, you would be frightened by the loud spinning button mechanism inside.

The envelope contained a simple device. First a paper clip was straightened out and bent into a V shape with a loop bent in each end. Two rubber bands were threaded through the hole of a metal washer. The rubber band was stretched across the wire loops of the wire V. My grandfather would spin the button until the rubber band was wound tight, then he would slip it carefully inside the envelope. Once he closed the flap on the envelope, the button could not spin until opened by some innocent bystander. When opened, the button would make such a loud vibrating sound, it often got tossed across the room in fright. People were convinced rattlesnakes had hatched inside the envelope!

Grampy even put a few dry beans in the envelope so there were ‘snake eggs’ rolling around inside the envelope, because the curious would often shake it before they open it. Once they heard the eggs rolling around, they were even more curious to see them.

What I have done is design a little wood box with a lid. When you open the lid, the button spins and rattles. It’s a fun prank gift. There’s even little fake eggs to put in there so they make a sound if the box is shook. This is a fun Glowforge laser cutter project you can make at home using 1/8″ thick Proof Grade Medium Plywood for best sound. Put a box of delicious Rattlesnake Eggs on your kitchen counter and see who opens it first.

DOWNLOAD THE SVG VECTOR FILE FOR GLOWFORGE LASER CUTTER

You will need:

  • 1/8″ thick Proof Grade Medium Plywood,
  • Glue (white or super)
  • Tissue or Cotton Swabs to clean up white glue
  • A rubber band

Glowforge Settings: Be sure to drag the Red/Black CUT layers in correct order within the Glowforge app. Drag Red layer above Black so red cuts first.

  • Text & Graphics: ENGRAVE > HD Graphic
  • RED: 1st Cut
  • BLACK: 2nd Cut