Question: how do they cut a person in half trick

title: Sawing a woman in half
text: The ropes or chains are threaded through holes in the table and the ends given to volunteers , who are instructed to pull them tight and hold them that way throughout the illusion . The assistant is thus pulled down onto her back and secured in that position . Two halves of a large box are presented and fixed in place over the assistant , covering her completely . Side panels are opened to show the assistant is still in place lying flat on her back . The assistant is then divided into two . Sometimes the division is accomplished merely by pushing two metal dividing panels into slots near where the two halves meet .