Updated: S-Mart Uniform added to last page! This is the pride and joy of my prop building endeavors, this is my Evil Dead chainsaw replica...
Now for the break-down!
The original chainsaw was a Homelite XL model, as they used in the 2nd and 3rd film.
The first step was taking the saw apart and gutting out the motor, which I did with minimal fuss (saving the gas and oil caps to glue on top later).
After the saw was hollowed-out, I took a saw and cut out the center section of the saw (handle and back portion included), and discarded it, leaving the space on top exposed. I then took a sheet of aluminum, bending and cutting it to the desired shape from the film, drilling holes for the actual chainsaw parts to be screwed into it, then attached it to the top. In addition, I also drilled a hole through the top for the handle inside, which we will come back to later.
After I'd gotten the top done, I (for the sake of my wrist) cut out a circular section of PLASTIC to use for the wrist clamp, then added a pipe clamp on top of that and painted it metallic to make it appear so. I then glued the piece to the back of the saw.
Once I'd finished the main body, I re-attached the chainsaw blade to the body using hols I'd drilled into the opposide side of the shell (the Homelite XL's blade is actually attached directly to the engine, which was no longer present, so I had to get creative there). After, I glued the chain directly to the blade, and painted it up to look the right color.
The next step was the handle on top, and using another piece of aluminum bent it to the appropriate shape, I attached it to the aluminum body piece I'd made earlier.
For the inside, I got a wooden dowel rod and drilled holes into both ends, then drilled another hole into the bottom of the chainsaw and screwed the rod vertically into the inside of the saw to make a handle (using tape and very thin rope to make a comfortable grip on it as well).
The only piece that remained was the rip-chord grip, which in the film, they took off the rubber one and replaced it with a wooden dowel rod, most likely so it could be latched to the harness Ash wears to start it up one-handed. I simply used the remaining section of dowel rod from the handle drilled a hole through the center, and looped the ripchord through it and tied a knot to keep it secure.
The final touch was painting. The original Homelite was a bright red color, so I painted over it with a darker red, more appropriate for the films, and added black detailing to give it the weathered look. I also added the black detailing to the wrist cuff and used the red paint and hot glue to put blood and chunks of gore into the blade and chain to give it character.
Also, for any die-hard Evil Dead-heads like myself, there IS supposed to be a silver muffler for the outside of the exhaust vent, but I haven't been able to locate one yet, and I'd rather get it done right than get it done fast.
Hail to the King, Baby!
Now for the break-down!
The original chainsaw was a Homelite XL model, as they used in the 2nd and 3rd film.
The first step was taking the saw apart and gutting out the motor, which I did with minimal fuss (saving the gas and oil caps to glue on top later).
After the saw was hollowed-out, I took a saw and cut out the center section of the saw (handle and back portion included), and discarded it, leaving the space on top exposed. I then took a sheet of aluminum, bending and cutting it to the desired shape from the film, drilling holes for the actual chainsaw parts to be screwed into it, then attached it to the top. In addition, I also drilled a hole through the top for the handle inside, which we will come back to later.
After I'd gotten the top done, I (for the sake of my wrist) cut out a circular section of PLASTIC to use for the wrist clamp, then added a pipe clamp on top of that and painted it metallic to make it appear so. I then glued the piece to the back of the saw.
Once I'd finished the main body, I re-attached the chainsaw blade to the body using hols I'd drilled into the opposide side of the shell (the Homelite XL's blade is actually attached directly to the engine, which was no longer present, so I had to get creative there). After, I glued the chain directly to the blade, and painted it up to look the right color.
The next step was the handle on top, and using another piece of aluminum bent it to the appropriate shape, I attached it to the aluminum body piece I'd made earlier.
For the inside, I got a wooden dowel rod and drilled holes into both ends, then drilled another hole into the bottom of the chainsaw and screwed the rod vertically into the inside of the saw to make a handle (using tape and very thin rope to make a comfortable grip on it as well).
The only piece that remained was the rip-chord grip, which in the film, they took off the rubber one and replaced it with a wooden dowel rod, most likely so it could be latched to the harness Ash wears to start it up one-handed. I simply used the remaining section of dowel rod from the handle drilled a hole through the center, and looped the ripchord through it and tied a knot to keep it secure.
The final touch was painting. The original Homelite was a bright red color, so I painted over it with a darker red, more appropriate for the films, and added black detailing to give it the weathered look. I also added the black detailing to the wrist cuff and used the red paint and hot glue to put blood and chunks of gore into the blade and chain to give it character.
Also, for any die-hard Evil Dead-heads like myself, there IS supposed to be a silver muffler for the outside of the exhaust vent, but I haven't been able to locate one yet, and I'd rather get it done right than get it done fast.
Hail to the King, Baby!
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