Guillotine

Guillotine
Need a little extra something for your Halloween decorations?  Want to get a "Wow" out of your guests without breaking the bank or requiring degrees in engineering, physics, or dog sledding.  Well this eight foot tall guillotine may be the project for you!

This is one of the props built for our annual Halloween party.  It is part of a larger project, but could easily act as it's own piece for your event.

It was designed to act as a photo opportunity, so the dull  "blade" is completely stationary and the lunette (the head hole) is large enough for most people to slip their head in and out of without lifting the top.

The Instructable for the executioner to go along with it can be found here.

 
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Step 1Gathering your materials and tools

Gathering your materials and tools
Luckily the list of materials is pretty basic, and it all can be found at your local hardware store/lumberyard. (Lowes, Home Depot.)

Materials:
5 8ft length of 2x4 (cheap wall stubs work great)(*)
1 8ft length of 2x10
1 sheet of dark hardboard paneling (a sheet at least 3 ft X 2 ft)
2 screw eyes
Some rope (10-12 ft should be enough)
4 bolts that are 2 inches in length (with matching washers and nuts)
A large hinge that will mount onto the side of 2 of the boards
Wood or deck screws (2.5 inch worked well for me)
Silver metallic spray paint (matte finish)
Dark wood stain

(You can skip one of the 2x4 if you use the alternate cut in step 2.)


For the tools, your basic requirements are to cut your studs to the right length and then cut 2 circular sections in your 2x10.  You can use whatever saw you have available, but lacking access to a band saw I found it easiest to make the straight cuts with a circular saw and the round cut with a jig saw.

Tools:
Safety Glasses
Measuring tape
Pen/Pencil
Rotary Saw
Jig Saw (Band saw would be better to cut the thicker pieces, but use whatever tools you have to cut a circle)
Power Drill (with drill and screwdriver bits)
Sand Paper
Something to assist in drawing a circle. (Paint can, or plate work fine.)
Paint brush and paper towels




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14 comments
Oct 9, 2011. 3:37 PMwellsking14 says:
What are the dimensions of the guillotine?
Feb 26, 2010. 3:17 PMthreedollarbill says:
i find this frightening simply as an idea haha
Nov 3, 2009. 9:07 PMGorillazMiko says:
Do you know where I could get a real blade?
 
Nov 4, 2009. 6:44 PMGorillazMiko says:
Good, good.


 
mrburns.jpg
Oct 18, 2009. 4:18 PMhackmattr says:
 My dad made one of these for Halloween like 12 years ago. We didn't put the string to pull the blade up but a lot of people were freaked out by this prop. Great if you have an executioner mask to wear too.
Oct 18, 2009. 10:36 AMoctavian234 says:
I thought it was a real one. darn
Oct 18, 2009. 10:21 AMFrivolous Engineering says:
Off with the tricksters heads!
Oct 18, 2009. 10:19 AMfilmsay says:
Don't forget to test it!
Oct 18, 2009. 12:17 AMsmessud says:
Don't forget to add audio with the cheering of population !!!
I really need to link this instructable with www.instructables.com/id/Barbie-Doll-Electric-Chair-Science-Fair-Project!/

Oct 17, 2009. 4:26 PMNatureBoom21 says:
oooooh! great idea! rated 5*

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