Replies

1. 
   JimGG_ | Oct 06, 2001 12:16am | #1

   *
   I recall paging through a book called Do It Yourself Coffins, by Dale Power, Schiffer Publ, which showed it a butt joint, 81 degrees in your case, with a cross-grain batten inside for added strength. This book is the only literature on this topic I have even seen.

1. 
   hhhhiii | Oct 24, 2001 05:36pm | #2

   *I settled on mitered joints with biscuits and I used metal angle brackets for additional strength. The angle brackets are hidden by the moldings. I've still got to sand, finish and put the handles on but the attached picture shows the work thus far. It's plenty strong enough and while basic the appearance looks clean I think.

1. 
   ian_cummins | Oct 24, 2001 11:13pm | #3

   *hhhhiii, I agree, it does have a very clean appearance. Nice job. I saw an article (FWW?) about folks building their own casket, standing it on end in their house with bookshelves until ready for final use.

1. 
   Charlie_Frnka | Oct 25, 2001 02:18am | #4

   *Nice looking job on the casket. I bet there are folks dying to have one of those. :-)Charlie

1. 
   Norm_in_Fujino | Nov 05, 2001 06:41am | #5

   *The one point you might need to take precautions about is the use of metal brackets in event of cremation; I've heard that some crematoriums don't permit the use of much (some, any?) metal in caskets used in cremations.

2. 
   hhhhiii | Nov 05, 2001 07:35pm | #6

   *Thanks :-) Not an issue in this case as the person already has a plot but good to know nonetheless! I've heard that for a coffin to be Kosher it shouldn't have any metal either - do you know if that's true? The client isn't Jewish - I was just curious. If I'd had to forgo metal I would have put straight sides and dovetailed corners. Not sure just how I would do the handles but I suppose I could have the long wooden rails attached by carved wooden brackets pegged to the sides... It's interesting from a design standpoint.

3. 
   Rob_MacKenzie | Dec 13, 2001 07:31am | #7

   *You might try those 162 degree shoulder joints with two test pieces. Do the finger joints and flush trim the overlap just to get an idea of how they would look.Just a thought

4. 
   Peckerwood | Dec 19, 2001 04:40am | #8

   *for future info../they don't cremate in a casket only a cardboard like box.... My brother is a mortision and I have seen how they do it...

5. 
   CStanford_ | Dec 19, 2001 10:24pm | #9

   *Wouldn't a guy who cut mortises be a "mortision"?

6. 
   Norm_in_Fujino | Jan 04, 2002 04:31am | #10

   *>>. . .they don't cremate in a casket only a cardboard like boxMaybe they don't in your neck of the woods, but they (we) sure do here in Japan. Good item to think about checking on, though, if the occasion ever arises over there.Visit Virtual Fujino, Japan! Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township

7. 
   Seth_Frankel_ | Jan 11, 2002 05:15pm | #11

   *Oh but they do cremate in wood caskets - they'll sell you one as an "option" for an additional pile of cash instead of the usual cardboard box. Of course, when you get your cremains back you'll have a baggy of burnt wood with bones!