12 washers. And two trips to HD in one day.

But it's done!

Got the final two wall panels cut, painted, and bolted together this weekend.

After all the weeks of setup and planning, I was short 12 washers come Sunday evening as I was trying to secure the last two panels. I had already been to Home Depot earlier that day (for non haunt related items) and it was a zoo. Luckily what I needed this time would fit on the bike, and getting in and out on the motorcycle was much quicker. $5 for the washers and a few extra bolts and we were back in action.

Due to the access opening i was planning to make in one of the panels - where I plan to hang black weed-cloth (to hide the opening) I decided that the panels needed to be a little darker to blend in better. Some not-so-much watered down black paint on the new panels and some touch ups on the other panels gave me a much better blended passageway. I also took the opportunity to paint the drop-panel and surrounding area so the panel is much less visible - and should be completely invisible in the darkness of the mine shaft.

After securing the last two panels, I marked and cut out a hole about 3' by 3' at the bottom of one of the panels. This will be covered by black weed-cloth (which we have plenty of about) and will serve as both an access point for the actor(s) to get in and out of the hidden passage; as well as a below-the-waist level scare point for actors to shock passers-by. In addition - next year when we put the passage way INSIDE a haunted house, the below-the-waist opening will get disguised as a fireplace.

Some shots of the drop panel - now painted to blend in:

And some photos of the outside of the passage:

And from the inside:

And finally the new below-the-waist access passage: 

 Now... Time to tear it down and store it till I'm ready to put it up outside!!!

And onto the NEXT project!!!

But FIRST... Off to the National Haunters Convention this weekend!