by Ashley Horne
Now that we have all of our supplies, tools and safety items ready to go, we can start cutting out the pieces of our coffin.
First, we’ll build the bottom of the coffin. You’ll want the top (head) to measure 17” and the bottom (feet) to measure 14”. The section in the middle that will be widest will be 28” across. The two tapered sides from the head to the widest point will each be 21” and then the measurement from the widest point to the foot of the piece will be 53 ½”.
Second, is the lid of the coffin. The measurements are just slightly bigger for the lid than the base. You will want the top (head) to measure 18” and the bottom (feet) to measure 14 1/2”. The section in the middle that will be widest will be 29” across. The two tapered sides from the head to the widest point will each be 22” and then the measurement from the widest point to the foot of the piece will be 54”.
Using the third piece of plywood we will cut the sides of the coffin. Each piece will measure 18” high (between the base and the lid of the coffin). We will be cutting the following lengths:
- The top – 17”
- The bottom – 14”
- Two pieces for the head to widest point – 21”
- Two pieces for widest point to the bottom – 53 ½”
You will need to use your miter saw to bevel the edges so the pieces will fit together snuggly.
Before going any further, you’ll want to sand and then stain or paint the lid (top, bottom and edges), the base (top, bottom and edges) and all of the pieces of the frame. You can choose any color of wood stain or paint that you want.
Next, in Part III, we will assembly and complete our coffin.
