In this episode, I go over some pre-finishing tips and finish the inside of the trunk. I then go through the entire assembly and glueup process from start to finish. I then discuss the trunk’s lid, which is different from the original plan. You can download a Sketchup plan for the lid below. Once the lid is glued up, I realize that rushing through this project has resulted in a number of errors. So I fix them. I know how you guys love it when I make mistakes so you won’t be disappointed in this one, haha.
For the Sketchup File of the new revised top, click here. For a PDF version of the new top, click here.
And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center
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Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… |
Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4
Marc, this was one of your best episodes! It’s good to see that even the best ones err. The reason I loved this though is that you showed how to fix it! When I first started trying to make furniture, stuuf like that happened to me all of the time and the only outlet I really had was Norm and all of his stuff was perfect every time. It was very frustrationg to say the least.
Your attitude about screwing up but being able to fix it is very refreshing. Thanks!!!
Hey Marc,
another great episode.
What was the finish you sprayed on the inside of the box?
Thanks.
Hi Marc–love the show. I’m new to woodworking and a bit taken back by the cost of dressed lumber here in Australia (don’t yet have the gear for prepping rough stock). Would it be rude to ask how much the raw materials for a project like this would cost in your neck of the woods?
Ps. thanks for doing this mini-series on the steamer trunk for a great cause.
Not rude at all. Problem is, I can’t even give you a ballpark number. It would vary dramatically depending on the choice of wood and the location in the US. The quarter sawn white oak I used for this project was an old stock I purchased years ago while still in California. I believe I payed about $5/bf. I haven’t priced the stuff in AZ yet.
Bravo, Marc.
You’ve found a real niche here, one that shows us an important side of woodworking and one that usually gets edited out of a half-hour network TV show.
Keep up the good work.
hi marc
very nice episode. i like the fact that you admitted to a mistake. just for fun sometime you could maybe run a poll to what percent of project finish without any mistakes.
keep up the good work.
mike h
Hi –
Great video — wish it came out about 6 months earlier. I am a relative newbie tackling a similar trunk project and found myself with the identical challenges — but not the identical set of tools (no jointer or #7). Ultimately, I found solutions that worked, but none as fast and effective as yours.
Thanks for helping struggling (i.e.), real world newbies.
Great Job on the trunk and the fixes, What type of glue is that you use? Really Enjoy the videos. Keep them coming.
The primary glue for this project was Gorilla Brand PVA glue. Its very similar to Titebond.
Hey Marc!
Well done on the save. As stated by others, it’s stuff like that that really makes the show stand above. That and the fact we can all drool over you’re amazing collection of tools.
Speaking of which, I’ve never seen a straight edge like that before. Do you mind me asking what brand it is?
Thanks!
Thanks Steve. That’s a Lee Valley straight edge. Check it out: http://www.jamestowndistributo.....ar+Varnish
Hi Marc!
I love watching your videos! Thank you so much for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us!
You mentioned in the video that your bench wasn’t designed for heavy-duty hand tool work. What specifically is lacking in it and what would you change? Thanks!
-Alan
Hey Alan. The bench is lacking in three major areas: weight, stability, and work holding. Those are some important detail in a bench, lol. So any new bench I build will be much more functional with more work-holding options, a thicker top and a 4-legged base.
Thanks for the great tips. You did mention that the case or the lid may not be square. i was wondering why you chose to glue one corner at a time and not all together and check for squareness (cross corner measure) at that time?
Hey Dan. I just get better results when I do one corner at a time. Worrying about 4 corners at once is a little stressful for me, personally. And doing one corner at a time doesn’t necessarily contribute to the possibility of it being out of square any more than gluing it all up at once. In fact, I find that my glueups always turn out better if I take my time and focus on one corner at a time.
Marc -
I just watched all 4 episodes of Duanes steamer trunk. Geat job! I had to show part of the glue up video to my wife; she keeps making fun of the number of clamps I have, and then she saw yours. Now she’s making fun of you instead! Can you hear her laughing all the way from PA?
Thanks – Ed
Hey if it results in you getting more clamps, I’ll gladly take the ridicule off your hands. :) She can join my wife in a chorus of laughter at the things we do.
Given that every project will have a flaw can you add a segment, not necessarily Nicole, that will try to find flaws. I find myself stressing out where my wife looks at it and says what are you talking about.
Great job. I just watched all 4 videos and learned alot. I also see some areas where is have made some mistakes and did not know what to do with them. I enjoy the fact that you show different ways to make the jointery for us wood works who do not have all the high end tools and not very much room to work.
Hey Marc, just watched the 4 vids on the chest. I am doing 2 chests that are similar for a friend in the SCA. It has a very Elizabethan styling to it. Just wanted to say I love your work both with wood and with the videos. Keep it up.
Hi Marc,
On this project, you did finish the inside of the tkunk before the glueup, with a dry-fit.
Why to do so ?
Why don’t you glue-up all the parts, then finish ?
Because I find it much easier to finish parts when they are nice and flat and there are no inside corners to contend with.
This looks like the url for the Lee Valley Straight Edge.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wo.....38;p=50074
Mike
Another great video Marc. Your honesty in showing a mess up is appreciated. Showing that though it was easy to move on and become absorbed in the fix. I’m also happy to see the tools in this month’s give away being demonstrated in a way not commonly used. I thought my Mag 77 and straight edge were doing a good job breaking down stock, but I see a use that only the precision of the track saw can accomplish. It’s definitely on my future tool list! Having said that, it’s a great looking project. I think the square lid was a great design choice too.