Thread: Victim in Toe Pincher W.I.P.

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Ok, I know there are numerous threads about toe pinchers with monsters or victims and the like. But I decided that mine would be electric based, not pneumatic. This is a work in progress, I will update it as I work on it.

The premise is the victim is in the toe pincher trying to get out. The lid will lift up, etc. No pneumatics will be used. I don't have anything against pneumatics, I just don't have any cylinders or other related equipment needed.. I do have a pancake compressor though. I plan to use an electric drill with a cam of some sorts to create the lift. For sounds effects, I plan to use the audio clip from the Disney Haunted Mansion "Coffin Scene".

I decided to use 6 ft. fence pickets for the coffin. I picked up 8 to start with plus 1 1x1 pine for corner braces. I also have quite a bit of scraps and such to work with.

I am putting the item together on my back porch, due to the limited space in my shed where all my tools are. Speaking of, pardon the mess in the pictures. We are putting new siding on the house, and everything is piled up ON my back porch... its much tidier.. usually

I started by cutting down 4 of the pickets to 64 inches each. I just chose this number randomly. I then took another picket and cut it into 4 sections 12 inches in length. One end of each piece of wood was mitered at 15 degrees. I wanted some nice corners.. what can I say? Corner braces are required if you want any form of structural support. So.. the 1x1 pine was cut into 11 inch lengths then ran across the table saw at 15 degrees on each side. I used my brad nailer and some glue to get things going. The first row is attached then the second row. Its nice having a brad nailer when your trying to hold everything together.



This is a close up of the corner brace, and the mitered edges. I personally think its worth the effort. Adds boat loads of strength.



Beginning to take shape..



The top of the "box". Measured at 15 inches. More corner braces, not sure what the angle was, I think 37 degrees? I used an angle finder to figure it out.
The bottom measured in at 13 inches.. lucky 13



To really add strength I wanted cross supports. Takes a little time, but well worth it. These were each placed 12 inches apart and the ends mitered at 7 degrees. This will also give me something extra to nail the bottom boards to.



Flipped over and added more cross supports, but..... I didn't want them flush with the top, they might be easily visible. I decided to recess them about 2 inches down into the box. As it is, still very light weight, but strong.



I went back and added some 1.5 inch drywall screws to pull the toe pincher tight. I wanted to make sure that this prop doesn't fail at the worst time. I have no problems refreshing the prop as needed, I just don't want to rebuild it each year.

To be continued..

Looking really nice, and you'll never have it collapse on you!

Looks very cool! You'd probably cringe to see what my toe-pincher looks like - didn't miter a single thing!

Thanks for the compliments. I would never cringe at another haunters work. I have seen plenty of wonderful work here. Wood is a medium that I love and feel at home with. Foam on the other hand? HAHA... some of yall make it look so easy.

Forgot to add that the cross supports also make convenient points to mount future equipment. Plenty of places to attach stuff.

Believe me... I have no intentions of making this item again. As stated, I don't mind refurbishing or refreshing the item as needed. As everyone knows, sooner or later wear and tear gets the best of a prop, I just plan to make it as strong as possible, while looking dated.

Great work. I can't wait to see the finished prop

It's really coming along !! Cant wait to see end product!!!

Sorry for the delay on updates. Been working on the house, and that comes first don't you know. So...... I decided that I would not make a back to the coffin. No need to as it is. Plan to lay it on the ground, and the supports that I put in more then support the structure. Made the lid today.

It took 5 planks side by side to make the width. It looks like 4 planks will do it... but no. I came about 1 inch short go figure.



While im thinking about it, make sure you carefully plan out the length of your coffin. I wasn't thinking and made it 6 foot and 2 inches long. The fence planks are only 6 foot long. Ouch. I knew that I would have to join the sections, and make it strong enough to take some abuse. So whats the crafty haunter to do? I call it the "sandwich joint". I cut off of the planks at 63 inches, then cut scraps to reach the rest of the way. The pictures are slightly out of order, for clarity, but im sure you get the jist.



Make sure to use liberal amounts of your favorite wood glue.



The end result. Plenty of drywall screws to hold it together. Once that glue dries, ain't nothing going to break it.



Added a total of four horizontal "bands" across the lid. For looks and strength of course. Once again, lots of screws and glue.

Now, heres a pickle. That akward gap on the sides of the lid.



A couple of different ways to do this..
(1) simply slide a picket in place and trace whats left to fill in.
(2) what I did. I measured. I started at the "middle" of the sandwich joint then measured all the way down to nothing. I was able to get a piece for each side out of one picket. That same method is used for the head end of the coffin as well.



Now what about all those screws sticking out of the bottom of the lid?



Say hello to my little friend.. the angle grinder. Oh yes, there will be sparks



Love the results though. Shame its on the inside of the lid. Hmmm...



And the product as it stands...



Currently its in the basement. Another area that needs cleaned out Anyhow... I like it. The next update, hopefully will have some info about the motor I plan to use. Any and all comments are welcome and appreciated.

Nice Job!!!

Very well built! I appreciate the craftsmanship.