Super Jack: March 2015

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Connor's Steamer Trunk

I built this hand crafted steamer trunk for my son, Connor. I used the Roxler hardware kit and adhered to the dimensions of the Roxler Steamer Trunk Plan, generally. The materials are completely different. The sides and lid are made of solid 3/4 inch white pine boards and white oak. The white pine boards are almost clear New Mexico white pine that I had for 30 plus years. The white pine edges are banded with white oak attached by plywood splines except for the top of the lid and bottom of the body which are attached by dowels. Dowels were necessary for these two attachments because of the grooves for the top and bottom panels. Cutting an additional groove for the spline would have separated the overlapping edge from the body and would have been a fatal mistake.

The white pine boards of the body are joined by internal marine plywood splines in the body and banding that are not visible. The corners are joined by dove tail joints. The top, bottom, and tray panels are made of 3/8 inch Maranti marine plywood. The sides and handles of the inside tray are made of white ash. Corner reinforcements are made of white oak. The lock attachment is reinforced with a piece of marine plywood since the soft white pine probably would not hold the screws securely over time. The top is reinforced with two lengths of 3/4 x 2 inch white oak so that one can sit on top of the steamer trunk, a natural inclination.

The finish is equal parts orange oil, linseed oil, and turpentine. It is a non-glossy finish.