DIY Spidey Web Etching!
 

Recently, I came to the conclusion that we will likely never see a new classic Spidey fig from Hasbro because of the fact that any decent looking classic Spidey fig has etched in webbing, and they probably want to avoid paying for that feature at all costs. So, for the sake of science, I decided to try to find an easy, effective way to etch weblines at home.
Of course, the default thinking is to use a dremel. I quickly found, though, that it is extremely difficult to maintain any kind of consistency in the depth and straightness of the weblines with a dremel because it just wants to hop and skip all over the place.
The ideal tool for the job is just your basic, cheap hobby wood burning craft tool. My wife had one laying around for her wood burning projects, and after firing it up and experimenting with it on an old Parachute Spidey figure I had laying around (best posing Spidey of any 6-inch Spidey figs IMO, including the McF that I own!), I ended up very satisfied with the results. The key things you should know before trying it:
1) The cheaper craft tools work well, but a more expensive model with temp control will work best. If you go the cheaper route (like I did this first time out), you have to be really careful not to let the tool melt in to deep. Just gently graze the surface of the plastic while etching; you can see on my figure the sections where I was still learning, and the sections where I finally got the technique somewhat dialed. I ordered a new Parachute Spidey fig to make a "V2" cleaner fig using a new temp control tool I bought.
2) The tips of your craft tool with get blackened by the whole plastic burning process. You can probably buff that out using a wire wheel dremel bit; I haven't bothered yet, but will shortly before my wife kills me.
3) The harder torso/pelvis area of the figures will be a little easier to etch into because they won't melt as fast as the softer limb plastic, but a gentle touch is still recommended.

Below is my finished V1 etched Spidey (swapped out the lame Parachute head and added some McF Spidey hands, plus a quick ghetto paint wash). I'm really happy with how it turned out despite being a first attempt, and I can't wait to do a more refined version using my new incoming Parachute fig. I will also be taking one of the newer Spidey bodies (i.e. Big Time or Future Foundation Spidey) and turning it into a classic Spidey with the etched lines.
... oh, and sorry for the long winded writeup. Have fun! =)
http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/uplo...581_690885.jpg
http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/uplo...581_408051.jpg
http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/uplo...581_479192.jpg
http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/uplo...581_777352.jpg
http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/uplo...81_2010427.jpg

I was just about to do the same thing but with a way messier and unreliable method. If you were here physically I would hug you (no homo).

Very interesting process, thank you for sharing!

I have one of those burning tools, and am just now starting to use it for other things. I'll have to give this a try soon.