How to Make Coffins for Halloween
The coffin design commonly used in Halloween props is called the "toe pincher" coffin. This design was used by coffin makers until the 19th century and before mass production. Their shape reflects the shape of the human body and becomes narrow at the feet. You may build a simple prop coffin out of construction foam. Or, you may build a longer-lasting coffin out of plywood, and store your Halloween decorations in it year round.
Things You'll Need
- Piano hinge, 48-inch
- 3 plywood panels, 3/4 inch by 4 feet by 8 feet
- Wood screws, 1/2-pound box of 1-5/8-inch screws
- Roll of paper
- Wood filler or plugs
- Pencil
- Ruler
- T-square
- Straightedge
- Table saw
- Wood glue
- Sand paper
- Dado saw blade
- Paint or stain
- Paint brush
Instructions
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1
Roll out the paper and cut a sheet that is 7-feet long. Draw a horizontal 6-foot line at the center of the paper. At one end of this line, draw a 2-foot line that is perpendicular to the center line, and bisected into 12-inch segments. This will be the head of the coffin.
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2
Measure 17-inches in from the head, along the center line. Draw a 34-inch line at this mark that is perpendicular to the center line, and bisected into 17-inch segments. This is where the "shoulders" of the coffin will be.
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3
At the foot of the center line, measure a 17-inch line that is bisected into two 8-1/2-inch segments. Finish off the outline by drawing straight lines to connect the head to the shoulders, then the shoulders to the foot.
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4
Cut out the coffin from the paper. Use it as a template to trace another coffin onto a new sheet of paper, and cut out this second template.
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5
Measure out four 12-inch by 8-foot pieces out of one of the plywood panels. Move the fence of the table saw to 11-7/8-inches. Cut the plywood into four equal pieces with the table saw.
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6
Use the first template you drew to measure the four cut boards. Transfer their dimensions onto the four cut boards, and cut them according to their shape. These are the side pieces of the coffin.
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7
Using the second drawing, draw the outline of the coffin onto a plywood board. Use one of the boards as a cutting guide to ensure that you cut straight lines, and cut out the base of the coffin. Do the same to make the lid of the coffin. Sand down the cut edges.
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8
Put the dado saw blade onto the table saw, set to cut 3/8 inch deep by 3/8 inch wide. Set the fence to 3/8 inch. Cut the six side panels, making a dado groove on their bottom edges.
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9
Put the sides onto the base of the coffin by sliding the base into their grooves. Glue them together with wood glue. Once the glue has set, turn it over and nail the corners of the coffin to the base.
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10
Nail the piano hinge onto the left side of the top and the left side of the coffin.
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11
Paint or stain the coffin to make the finishing touches.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear eye and ear protection when using a saw. Keep hands away from moving saw blades to prevent accidents from happening.
