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Building a full-sized, Halloween Coffin Prop can be a big hit at your Halloween party filled with a
plastic liner, ice, beer, and red wine. It can be used as a real Toe Pincher Coffin; this simple, full-sized coffin
stands over six feet. This coffin can also be built and used as a coffin-style bookcase.
Material List:
Three, 3/4" x 4' x 8'
hardwood plywood panel for the Sides, Bottom Nailer,
Shelves, and Top Lid panels.
Four, 48" x 1/2" Metal Shelving Channel
and Shelf Brackets (only if coffin will be used as a
bookshelf).
48" Piano Hinge is optional if used
as a Halloween Prop.
1/2 pound, 1 5/8" Woodscrews.
Shelf paper to produce paper
templates.
Wood plugs and/or wood filler.
Step 1, Draw a Template -
Select shelf paper and tape it together so the complete
exterior footprint can be drawn. Using a T-square or
carpenter's square draw two perpendicular lines, and
reproduce the dimensions as shown above. Connect all the
dimensions to create the outer edge of the coffin. The
numbered angles equal:
#1 & #2 = 49 degrees
each
#3 = 80 degrees
#4 = 76 degrees
#5 & #6 = 53 degrees
each
Step 2, Cut the Coffin Base Side
Pieces - Select 3/4" x 4' x 8' plywood panel; rip
four equal-width
pieces @ 12" x 8' (set your fence @ 11 7/8" to allow
for the saw blade and ensure there are four, equal-width
pieces) for the six side pieces. Using the dimensions
and angle specs from the template, measure and cut the six
side pieces.
Step 3, Cut the Coffin
Bottom Base -
Select shelf paper to produce Template #2 for the Bottom
Base; this
base will be used as a nailer for the six side
panels. Using a T-square or
carpenter's square draw two perpendicular lines, and
reproduce the dimensions as shown above. Connect all the
dimensions to create the outer edge of the Bottom Insert;
select the
circular saw cutting guide, and place it along the lines,
clamp it into place, and make the appropriate cuts..
Step 4, Book Shelf Option-
If you are going to use this coffin as a bookcase, select
the shelf bracket channels; check the dimensions of the
channel, and prepare your dado blade to cut the grooves to
receive the channel strips. Adjust the dado saw blades
to the proper width; set the saw to cut the proper depth;
set the fence to 1 1/2". Select the two, long side
panels; make the dado cuts 1 1/2" in from
each edge; two passes per panel to receive the shelf channel
brackets at each edge; attach the four channels to the two
side panels, as shown above.
Select the 3/4" plywood panel;
crosscut a shelf piece to 32 1/2" with the angled edges;
rip the shelf to 11 1/4".
Step 5, Assemble the Coffin Base
Pieces- Select the Bottom panel, the solid shelf,
six side panels, and dry fit the pieces. Connect all
points with glue, biscuits and/or 1 5/8" screws at the
proper angles (Note: Use dowel plugs for
the solid shelf screw holes so the shelf can be unscrewed
and removed). Screw through all the side panels into the
Bottom Panel to provide strength and
rigidity to the coffin walls (counter sink all holes).
Measure and cut to fit the other shelves desired; since the
coffin sides are tapered, it is necessary to customize each
shelf to size.
Step 6, Construct the Coffin Lid
Cover- Select the remaining portion of the 4 x 8 plywood
panel; Select the completed Coffin Base
and place it upon the plywood panel; scribe the outline of the base.
With the
Circular Saw Cutting Guide, cut out the Coffin Lid.
Step 7, Finish the Coffin-
Attach all edging material, fill all holes with wood plugs
and/or filler, sand, and apply stain and poly or paint; add
the piano hinge if it will be the focal point of your
Halloween Party.
Note: If you use this
coffin as a bookshelf, you must secure it to a wall stud
through the back panel.
For a smaller version of this coffin
plan, click here!
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