How to Build an Old-Style Coffin
- 1). Mark the plywood to cut the main panels for the coffin. The top and bottom start with two 2'x6' pieces. Cut two more pieces that are 7 feet long and 1 foot wide.
- 2). Taper the top and bottom panels by marking a point 16 inches down from the top on both sides of each panel. Mark the center point of the top edge. Now measure out 6 inches to each side of that center point. Using a straight edge, draw a line that makes an angle from the point 6 inches from the center, to the mark 16 inches down the side. This makes the top angle that is part of the distinctive toe pincher shape.
- 3). Find the center point of the bottom edge of both panels. Measure 6 inches out from this point again to each side and mark these points. Now use the straight edge to draw an angled line from those points to the mark where the upper angle ends at 16 inches. This is the angle of the bottom shape of the coffin.
- 4). Cut the angled lines on both panels. Your result will be two identical panels that are 2 feet wide at the widest point and 1 foot wide at the top and bottom.
- 5). Cut pieces of the 2'x2' pine for interior supports for the coffin. You need two pieces 54 inches in length, two pieces 14 inches in length, and two more pieces 10 inches in length.
- 6). Measure 1/2 inch in from the edge on all sides of the bottom panel. Spread a line of glue along one side of the 2'x2' pieces and then screw the two 54-inch pieces down to the bottom panel. Match the outside edge of these to the 1/2-inch mark so there is space left for the side panels to sit on the bottom panel. There should be an inch of open space at each end of the 2'x2' pieces; they are cut slightly shorter than the coffin edges. Now screw the two 14-inch pieces to the top angle edges, then the two 10-inch pieces at the top and bottom edges. These are the supports to attach your side pieces.
- 7). Cut the two panels that are 1 foot wide into sections. Make a mark and cut a 56-inch length from each piece. Then cut a 16-inch piece. The remaining piece should be a 1'x1' piece of plywood.
- 8). Screw the side panel pieces into the 2'x2' supports, spreading a line of glue along the side where they are being screwed first. Use a screw approximately every 6 inches to make the coffin secure.
- 9). Cut 6 pieces of the 2'x2' pine, 8 inches long each. Glue and screw these to the corner joints where the side panel pieces all come together on the inside of the coffin. Screw to both sides of each joint where a panel meets the 2'x2' pine.
- 10
Attach the piano hinges to the left side bottom angled edge and to the lid piece. - 11
Fill the screw holes with wood putty. Stain or paint the coffin as desired.
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