Tarantula 2: Invisible Thread Repair

What needs fixing? The thread?

Mesika sells pre-made spools, which usually go for €20-25 a pair. That's super pricey, and it's supposed to be super fine and super strong thread.

In my experience with Mesika's products, the wax is what's most worth it – it's excellent. The thread is the finest and most invisible, that's true, but the cost is pretty excessive. You can find stronger invisible thread at a more economical price, even if it's a bit thicker. But nothing that would be visible beyond about five feet.

I recommend looking into other options. I don't know the brands off the top of my head, but I hear that the invisible thread for Joao Miranda's ITR is very good and well-priced. I'm sure there are good "no-name" brands out there too. Just make sure you don't throw away the Mesika plastic spool (the white plastic where the thread is wound) because it's true that no generic brand spool is compatible with the Tarantula II. If you toss it, you'll have to buy the official one just for that darn spool.

What's the catch? The compatible thread you'll be using is a bit thicker, so less length will fit on the same spool compared to Mesika's. But think about it: Mesika's spool comes with 7.5m (25 feet) of thread. Are you really going to use that much thread with the Tarantula? At most, you'll use 2-3 meters.

Once you have the compatible thread, tie a knot on the Mesika spool, wind it a few turns both ways, place it in the Tarantula, and let it self-wind just the 2-3 meters we talked about. And there you go, with new, slightly stronger thread.

By the way, I'm talking about invisible thread, not stage thread, elastic thread, or ITR thread – those are much thicker and will break the Tarantula II's motor.

Hope this helps! Best regards.

Just for the record, 😅 I've bought two spools in my life, plus the two that came with the devices (one with the Tarantula 2 and one with the Spider Pen Pro).

So I always have one ready for when my Tarantula or pen runs out.

Oh, and on that note... I always replace them with the OLD-SCHOOL strands, the ones you have to separate yourself (which come with 40, 60, or even 100 strands bundled together in one thread), and they sell them in various lengths (3, 5, and 10 meters). They're the CHEAPEST ones, and by far (in my experience), just as good as any others from any brand.

And I've had both devices for many years now; they get a lot of use 😊.

In fact, the battery on my Tarantula 2 is still working perfectly, which is pretty impressive after all this time.

So, yeah, this product has worked out really well for me (Mesika recommends having at least 2, just in case one fails you 😊 ).

I don't have it, but I'm pretty sure some invisible thread would do the trick.