Building a pet coffin is a project
that can be practical. This simple, half-sized
coffin can hold a good-sized pet. This pet casket can also be
built and used as a CD or DVD Storage Case.
Material List:
If old pine boards are not
available, purchase, as I prefer, one sheet, 3/4" x 4' x 8'
hardwood plywood for the sides and top Lid panels.
One piece of 3/8" x 2' x 4'
hardwood plywood
for the bottom panel.
Four pieces @ 36" of 1/2" Metal Shelving Channel
and Shelf Brackets (only if coffin will be used as a
CD Storage Unit).
1/2 pound, 1 5/8" Woodscrews.
Shelf paper to produce a paper
template.
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
#3 = 80 degrees
#4 = 76 degrees
#5 & #6 = 53 degrees
Step 2, Cut the Coffin Base Side
Pieces - Select 3/4" x 4' x 8' plywood panel; rip one
piece to 9" x 8' for the side pieces. Using the dimensions
and angle specs from the template, measure and cut the six
side pieces; use your template to ensure all pieces and
angles are accurate.
Step 3, Cut the Coffin
Bottom Base Piece -
Produce another template for the bottom base piece per the
dimensions above. Select 3/8" x 2' x 4' plywood panel;
place the template onto the panel; use an awl or small nail
to indicate the six connecting points; with a pencil,
connect the dots. With the template transferred to the
wood panel, select your
circular saw cutting guide and place it along the lines,
clamp it into place, and make the appropriate cuts.
Step 4, Cut the Dado Groove in
All Side Pieces - Set your dado blade to cut 3/8" deep x
3/8" wide; set the fence at 3/8". Select the six side
panels and make the dado cut at the bottom edge of all
panels; this groove will receive the bottom panel.
Step 5, CD/DVD Shelf Option-
If you are going to use this coffin as a storage case for
CD's or DVD's, 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 15 1/2" with the angled bottom;
rip the shelf to 8 1/8".
Step 6, Assemble the Coffin Base
Pieces- Select the bottom panel, the solid shelf, and
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 when necessary). Also, determine shelf
placement, measure, and cut to size (because the coffin
sides are tapered, each shelf must be cut to size).
Step 7, Construct the Coffin Lid
Cover- Select the remaining portion of the 4 x 8 plywood
panel; set the Coffin Base
onto the panel and scribe the outline of the base.
With the
Circular Saw Cutting Guide, cut out the Coffin Lid.
Step 8, Finish the Coffin-
Attach all edging material, fill all holes with wood plugs
and/or filler, sand, and apply stain and poly or paint.
Note: If you use this
Pet Coffin as a storage case, you must secure it to a wall stud
through the back panel.
For a full-sized version of this
coffin plan, click here!
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