Are you looking for a perfect way to spice up your Halloween decorations? Do you want a different centerpiece for your Halloween party? Try building this coffin. It's authentic enough to make your party guests or trick-or-treating patrons look forward to coming to your home. And because you make it out of plywood it will last long enough to be recycled but it will be light and simple to make.
Steps
Step 1. Put everything you need together (see "Things You Will Need")
All materials are cheap and can be found in a normal hypermarket.
Step 2. Create a project
Using a large sheet of paper (white or gift paper or even newspaper will do) and duct tape, put together the size of what will actually be the coffin. Note that this is not the design for the slightly smaller base, but rather for the coffin with the side panels already included. This template allows you to have the exact measurements of the sides and angles at which you will cut the hips. See Figure 1 for dimensions. Use a T-square and first draw two lines perpendicular to the center. Then draw the top and bottom sides and finally connect the final part of the lines to get the sides as shown.
Step 3. Cut the hips
They will be 30cm high, so take a 120x240m panel of plywood and cut four 30x240 pieces lengthwise (you will need three to make the sides). Use a circular saw to cut the panels to the dimensions as shown in figure 1. Make sure to cut the edges of the panels at the correct angle so that they fit together. For example, the overhead panel should be 48 in width and the edges have an angle of 53 °.
Step 4. Draw the pattern for the base
The side panels will be nailed to the outer edges of the base, so this must be slightly smaller (1.9 cm less on each side) than the paper model drawn at the beginning. Attach the paper to make a single sheet as before and draw the base, again starting from two perpendicular lines according to the dimensions in figure 2.
Step 5. Cut the base
Arrange the template sheet on the remaining plywood so that the vertices of the widest point touch the edges. Use the circular saw to cut the base of the coffin around the model.
Step 6. Cut the lid (optional)
This step can be skipped if you want to keep it open. Place the base on top of what's left of the plywood so that it fits snugly. Trace the edges and remove the base. Cut out the wood by following the lines.
Step 7. Assemble the coffin
Now it needs to be completed.
- Try to fit all sides well around the base. You need to see if they have been properly cut before nailing or gluing them.
- Glue or screw the side panels to the base and to each other. The bottom of each panel should fit snugly against the base. Use 3cm screws in the side panels to stop at the base and glue, screws or core plugs to join the panels together.
Step 8. Finish
If there are any holes or indentations, fill them with sawdust or filler. Then <i <pass a polish or paint. You can be as creative as you like in your decorations. If you want to line the coffin with fabric or anything else you won't have to worry about staining it. Glue or secure the fabric with clips.
Step 9. Attach the lid
If you use the coffin to "bury" something, you can simply nail it. Otherwise, attach a hinge on one of the long sides to the top and attach the other side to the corresponding side.
Advice
- Plywood is fine for these things but you don't want a "real coffin" which will need to be solid wood. They are usually made of pine, oak or cedar among others.
- Blind each nail head for more safety.
- This coffin can become a bookcase if you place them inside shelves. See below for specific instructions.
- When cutting wood, check the size of the blade carefully. For example, if you cut strips of 25, you will have to fix it at 24.5.
- This project can be expanded (for a larger coffin) or decreased (for an animal coffin for example). As long as you keep the proportions the angles will be the same.
- Vampire clothes.
- If you hide inside (dress it up first) and open the lid by sitting down when you hear someone coming, you will scare them.
- You can sprinkle flour and debris on the casket to give it an old look and throw a few rocks for an ultra scary look.
Warnings
- Be careful when using the circular saw or other power tools. Follow the instructions and proceed with caution.
- Apply a stain, paint or tint only in well-ventilated areas. Follow the instructions and warnings.
