has anyone here built a casket?

[hearsejr]

I'm thinking about building a casket for my hearse. I was playing with my chop saw and had some scrap trim and molding when I got the crazy idea that I might can build a casket. I mad the whole corner and I think I can stain it and make it look like a store bought one. a guy that gave me the scraps had to get them back because the folks he was building the house were being a pain in the ass and wanted him to account for every thing right down to the empty paint cans so I didn't get any pics of my handy work. (it was not very straight or much to look at any way).
so if anyone has built one and might have advice on it, please feel free to give me pointers.

Bill

[hearsejr]

here's about what I am thinking about building...just a better color.casket.jpg

[pyro]

That would be some handy work. Wish I had the wood working skills.

[hearsejr]

well I meant have ask if a coffin or casket would be allowed in my car if I go to any of the meet up's that involve NHAA? I sort of lost that in the very first sentence. I remember the "Others club" didn't like me having a packing crate dressed up like one in the 67...lol.
Well any how, it's not hard..I built two mock ups using foam in place of wood and I was thinking I could use the foam like a pattern. I'll start working on one with wood after the first. I'll try an do a video and share it with you guys and maybe you can give me ideas on what I fucked up on it. hahahaha.

[Thirsty]

Here's one that I built several years ago for a FUNeral party. It's a lot more basic than the one you have pictured.

IMG_1480.jpg

It was made using cheap everyday variety 1X2s and luan (sp?) plywood and painted with the Rust-o-leum textured (splatter) paint. The casket hardware was bought from Rockler. The interior was done up in faux tiger fur because "the deceased" is a vanner from back in that hey-day. It now rests in the back of my coach and everybody thinks it's real.

If I had to offer up any advice, it would be; use the casket hardware, and get it before you start. I made that mistake, and I had to kind of improvise on the corner pieces and stuff.

One huge advantage of the thing is that it is really lightweight, unlike a real casket.

As far as whether or not a casket would be allowed at any kind of gathering of this group, my thoughts are that you would be more likely to be asked where the casket is, if you didn't have one.

[hearsejr]

KEWL that the car show types I think I would be right at home with.
I tried to look at the pic and I get..."Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator" .
I drew up a plan and now I'm fine tuning them. I watched a guy build one for a museum and he used boards in place of plywood. it was a little heavy..lol

[60Crown]

What specifically fuels your desire to build a casket?

[Thirsty]

...
I tried to look at the pic and I get..."Invalid Attachment specified. If you followed a valid link, please notify the administrator" .
...

Might be fixed now?!?

[pyro]

What specifically fuels your desire to build a casket?

Probably the cost of a genuine casket.

[hearsejr]

Nice... how did you get the nice curved top?

[hearsejr]

Might be fixed now?!?

Probably the cost of a genuine casket.

I can not afford the $1K + of a new one and don't like the way the Halloween home made ones look.

[Thirsty]

Nice... how did you get the nice curved top?

Just a series of relief cuts on the bottom side with a circular saw, about halfway through the thickness of the 1/4" plywood.

[60Crown]

I don't think you're in tune with what they sell for. Frequently, good quality funeral ready metal caskets turn up under $500 (minor scratch/dents even less). New wood caskets can be had under a grand with some searching. I've bought several funeral home contents out within last few years and have a basis on which to speak.

Have a friend in Alaska who builds wooden caskets with other town folk when one of their own passes. They're incredibly impressive especially once construction time frames are figured in. Another FD friend has had his own wooden casket already made years in advance that is a fine piece of engineering. Someone else I know, a woodworker, can replicate and improve on original Victorian style coffins. These are exceptions to the rule.

Most every other homemade casket attempt I've seen ends up looking like a cheap haunt prop.

[hearsejr]

Yeah I have seen a lot of home made ones around here but they are all sort of clownish. I was looking through the scrap pile of moldings and trim pieces, and I think with all the new pre made trim at lowes, some one could make a very nice looking casket.
I have only seen a couple of factory caskets for sale in North Carolina and non were under $600, the one that was $600 was not in very good shape. the rest were like $1200 and $1399 and a batesville one for $1600.

[60Crown]

Again, a matter of who/what you know and where you look. Stephen Everhart in Lexington, NC may still one or two new metal caskets available under $500.