If the Evil Dead franchise reigns as king of the horror comedy kingdom and Ash is its handsome, blood-soaked warrior prince, his chainsaw arm is his mighty sword. And now that Halloween is only a week away, you may get a kick out of learning how to build one of your own, whether you intend to use it to complete your Evil Dead II-inspired costume, make your own Evil Dead fan film, or just to learn a few handy special effects techniques. Indy Mogul's Erik Beck shows you how to build one from start to finish using some common hardware store materials in the tutorial below.
This tutorial is not for the faint of heart—nor for those who don't have a pretty robust workshop. Beck uses tools like a jigsaw and a heat gun to cut out and mold certain parts of the chainsaw arm, so if you don't have those handy, you might be out of luck on this one. Also, he utilizes a respirator to protect against harmful fumes while heating the PVC pipe and other plastics, so be sure to have one to avoid, you know, dying.
Now, even though this build is geared more toward a seasoned special effects artist or prop maker, there are several techniques and tips beginners can glean that will make their other projects easier, like how to make props look grungy by slathering them in black paint and wiping off the excess with paper towels, making sure to leave the paint in crevices for a realistic look.
But hey, even if you are a novice and want to try your hand at building this chainsaw arm, go for it. Just be safe—work in a well ventilated area, use a respirator, and know your tools.
Source: Indy Mogul
