[ScareFX]

There was a good thread about commercial industry copying props that were once only created by home haunters.

Well my new prop was a rip-off of the look of this Creepy Coffin commercial prop. When I saw it online and in the stores, I liked the concept and the look. However the commercial version was static and made of Styrofoam. And it cost $99.

Instead of buying that prop I took the money and built this 6-foot animated version. It uses a wiper motor to open and close the hinged front. The outside chains and lock are plastic and foam but inside there are five pieces of real chain swinging and banging. A couple of ACC arms replaced the foam ones on the commercial version.

It cost me less than $100 to make and will outlast the commercial version by many years.

Here's a picture of mine. A how-to project description will be posted soon. Here's 20-second video clip showing the motion.

http://www.scarefx.com/project_coffin_2.html

 

[Hellrazor]

That rocks! You did a super job... gotta add to my 2009 list of things to do LOL.

 

[Gloomy_Gus]

That's fantastic!

Just what I needed, yet another project to add to the list. Now all I need to do is actually complete a project.

 

[Dr Morbius]

I LOVE the idea of copying commercial props...not sure why, if for no other reason that it satisfies me to no end to build something for 10 bucks that would cost 100 or more to buy. Great job on that prop, man!

 

[Smelly-Skelly]

How did you get that "old" look to the wood/foam for the coffin?

 

[slimy]

That's fantastic!

Just what I needed, yet another project to add to the list. Now all I need to do is actually complete a project.

What is this 'complete projects' thing you are talking about? So, do you mean you don't have half finished corpses on your dining room table all year long? What a concept!

ScareFX, that thing is awesome and like so many of your ideas, I'm going to steal it and half finish it.

Great animation.

 

[ScareFX]

How did you get that "old" look to the wood/foam for the coffin?

Thanks everyone fror the kind words.

Smelly-Skelly,
The coffin is made entirely of cedar fence pickets. It's a very soft wood so I used a rotary rasp in my drill to gouge the wood and added more detail with my Dremel then painted with an airbrush. The only thing made of foam is the lock. The chains are the $5 blow-molded plastic version.

 

[morgan8586]

Great Prop....Need to add to my list too! How did you use the wiper moter to open/close the door? Cant wait for the how to!!!!!

 

[krough]

Wow, ScareFX you have done it again.

 

[lewlew]

Great looking prop! I gotta go with Hellrazor and Gloomy_Gus on this one.
One more thing to add to the list for next year. Can't wait for the how-to.

Great job!

 

[jdubbya]

I think we need a sticky thread for Woody and a few others simply saying fantastic job on every prop you'll ever make from here on!
Way cool Woody. You can bet a store bought copy of your prop would be 5 times the one you copied originally. I too will look forward to the tutorial on this. I need a new coffin.:jol:

 

[Smelly-Skelly]

Thanks everyone fror the kind words.

Smelly-Skelly,
The coffin is made entirely of cedar fence pickets. It's a very soft wood so I used a rotary rasp in my drill to gouge the wood and added more detail with my Dremel then painted with an airbrush. The only thing made of foam is the lock. The chains are the $5 blow-molded plastic version.

Thanks for the tips, again great project. I just made my first toe pincher coffin this year, so I guess I am a little behind everyone. Not exactly sure what a rotary rasp looks like but I will ask next time I am at Home Depot. Thanks again for the response.

PS I gotta spend more time on your website, too cool!

 

[ScareFX]

...Not exactly sure what a rotary rasp looks like but I will ask next time I am at Home Depot.

Thanks Smelly-Skelly.

SpectreTTM mentioned rotary rasps in a post last month. That's how I found out about them. Very useful. Learning about things like that are why I love this place.

 

[kevin242]

Great as always Mr. FX!

 

[Mr Unpleasant]

Woody that is phenominal! Damn, you know what this means...I'm going to have to copy you again. Keep up the great work !

 

[roadkill]

That coffin ROCKS! Awesome job.

Wanna come help finish mine???

 

[ScareFX]

Thanks guys! Glad you liked it. Nice words from this great community mean a lot.

 

[SpectreTTM]

Thanks Smelly-Skelly.

SpectreTTM mentioned rotary rasps in a post last month. That's how I found out about them. Very useful. Learning about things like that are why I love this place.

Awesome Prop ScareFX. As usual
I look forward to the How to.

I am very happy that I was able to help you with a suggestion.
It seems like it is usually you helping me.

This really is a great place to exchange ideas.

 

[Smelly-Skelly]

Thanks for all the info FX

I was watching your video again as I "gots to have me one of these" for next year. I had a couple quick questions, OK 3.

1. Is the hinge for the front on the botton of the coffin, thus it open from the "top"

2. What speed is the wiper motor running? Looks like you have it at 6V to slow it way down

3. Is the lid attached directly to the wiper motor with a cam, or linkage system?

You don't by chance have a write up on this thing do you?

 

[ScareFX]

Thanks for all the info FX

I was watching your video again as I "gots to have me one of these" for next year. I had a couple quick questions, OK 3.

1. Is the hinge for the front on the botton of the coffin, thus it open from the "top"

2. What speed is the wiper motor running? Looks like you have it at 6V to slow it way down

3. Is the lid attached directly to the wiper motor with a cam, or linkage system?

You don't by chance have a write up on this thing do you?

Glad you like it Smelly-Skelly.
Answers.
1. Yes the hinge is on the bottom.
2. 12 volts on this motor, so 65 RPM.
3. It uses a crank arm linkage.

The project description will be coming in November. Too much to still do before Tuesday.