How-to: Cemetery Columns

Over the weekend, I built some cemetery columns. My columns are 6' tall by 1.5' square. You can modify my instructions per your needs. They aren't quite done yet, but should be done this week.

Here's a list of the material I used:

(10) 2"x2"x8' pine boards
(4) 3'x7'x1/8" pieces of cheap luan
Approximately ten feet of basic crown moulding
Lots of 2.5" drywall screws (preferably self-tapping)

The basic cuts are as follows:

(8) 2"x2"x6' pine boards
(8) 2"x2"x1'6" pine boards
(8) 2"x2"x1'9" pine boards

The above cuts will yield the wood needed for the basic frame. To build the frame, here are the steps:

Start by making a rectangle out of two of the 2"x2"x6' pine boards and two of the 2"x2"x1'6" boards. Screw them together using the drywall screws. You should end up with a total of four of these rectangles (two per column).

Next, with the 2"x2"x1'6" boards facing the outside of the column, screw the two rectangles together with the 2"x2"x1'9" boards (these should also be on the outside of the column). They should look something like this (without the crown moulding of course):



From here, you can decorate the columns as you see fit. I used crown moulding around the top (poorly, but it works), but you can do whatever you feel would work to spice them up. I would offer advice on cutting the crown moulding, but it was basically a disaster.

The nice thing about making columns that are 1'6" wide is that many lumber yards sell luan sheets in 3'x7' sizes. All I did was have them rip the sheets down to 1'6"x7' and cut them to fit. How you accessorize your columns will determine how you cover them with the luan.

Here is the almost final product before paint:



And here is the almost final product after paint:



Please let me know if you have any questions. This is a fairly easy and highly effective project, and I highly recommend it.