Hearse - Final Pics

Pictures of the completed hearse.

 
 
 

Hearse - Suspension

An faux-leaf springs assembly is made so the box has something to connect to the wheel axle.  Two of these were made of differing heights to account for the difference in size between the front and rear wheels.  They are secured to the carriage box via carriage bolts so it can be disassembled and stored.

 

Hearse - Box

The box for the hearse is constructed using 1x4 common whitewood and 1/8" hardboard/luan.  The box sides are held together using angle brackets at the top and carriage bolts at the bottom.  This way everything can come apart for *cough* easy *cough* storage.

Hearse - Wheels

Time to make hubs for the wheels.  These will serve to hide the bolt/pin holding the wheel to the axel and add visual interest.  A plywood circle is cutout and a notch is routed on the rear side to fit over and conceal the bolt.  Decorative carriage bolts are added to the front and also to secure the hub to the wheel.  1/8" hardboard/luan is ripped down to strips, glued and nailed around the perimeter of the wheel. A plastic skull finial is added to the hub and the whole thing painted true black with some gold leafing applied.

New Project = Hearse

If you haven't guessed already, the new project is a horse drawn hearse.  First up are the wheels.  Obtaining a matching set of wagon wheels is easier said then done, so let's make some.  Two sheets of 3/4" plywood get laminated together by rolling out wood glue, clamping and screwing the pieces together.  To make the spokes, a straight edge is screwed to the middle and spun around while lines are marked.  After drilling pilot holes a jigsaw is used to cut out the pie-shaped pieces then the edges are rounded with a router.

New Project - ???

Getting started early this year with a new *BIG* project.  It's going to be great if I can pull it off.  Some teaser pictures for you - can you guess what it is?

Cemetery Columns Part VI

Finished the gates to go with the columns.  These were made using PVC and 1x2 wood in the same fashion as the graveyard fence.  Here's some pictures.

Cemetery Columns Part V

After the black-wash painting was complete, some lighter grey and white were added.  Some cracks were also carved into the foam and some moss hot-glued on.  Then the whole column got a coat of polycrylic to seal and waterproof.  Finally, the skeleton sconces from earlier were painted gold, then dusted with black and mounted using drywall screws.  All done with the columns, on to the gates!

Cemetery Columns Part IV

Painting and more painting.  First coat is some exterior kilz primer.  Second coat is another primer tinted grey.  After the primer, the whole thing gets a watered down latex/acrylic mix of dark grey.  Before the paint is dry, a wet rag is used to remove the paint from the high spots but leave it in place in the cracks and crevices.  To give the illusion of more depth, a highlight is added by removing more paint from the top 'lip' of each 'stone' and exposing the grey paint underneath.

Cemetery Columns Part III

Some extra joint compound and some sanding done the other day to add some more definition.  These are now ready to prime for painting.  I've attached some pics too of some 'skeleton sconces' which will be placed on the front of the columns.

Cemetery Columns Part II

Started the Cemetery columns this past weekend.  The  stone pattern was made by skim coating the column with joint compound and running my finger through it while wet to make the 'mortar joints'.  Next up is priming and then painting!

New Project - Cemetery Columns

Working on a new project this Labor Day to build out some Cemetery Columns.  I've seen many of these built but none quite having the 'gothic tomb' type of look I'm going after.

Here's the plan -- build a frame using 2x2 stock sheathed in 1/2" OSB.  Next, add some trim detail to top and bottom, with the top detail and cap using extruded foam board to save on weight.  To make the stonework I plan on covering the OSB with spackle/joint compound and then 'carve' out the mortar joints to get depth.  Then I'll seal and paint the whole thing to weather proof it and get the right aged look.

Still deciding what to put between the columns, but I'm leaning towards a gate constructed out of PVC similar in style to the existing fence.

PVC Candles Antiqued

The PVC candles have been antiqued.  Take a look.

PVC Candles Phase II

I really liked how the PVC candles I made two years ago turned out.  So I'm making more this year.  These will be 'antiqued' with some black paint and placed outside in the graveyard.  Making these is super easy, PVC + Hot Glue + Cardboard + LED Tea Light.

Giant Spider Project

New for this year is a giant spider.  When complete it will measure ~6-7 feet and will be hoisted up to a web that is somewhere around 14 feet.   It will be one of those fat and nasty brown furry spiders that freak everyone out.

Some progress finally..

With my work schedule sapping all my free time, I'm just now getting some time to work on some things.  First, interesting factoid -- Did you know mice like eating paper mache heads?  I know this because Walter and Henry (the Zombies) got their heads eaten in the off-season.  So I set out to make some new heads.  I found some black fake pumpkins that fit the bill nicely, they are foam/plastic so there shouldn't be any issues with rodents.  I also took some of the ping-pong eyes I made last year to make these guys look a bit creepier.