Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Nov 03, 2008 06:12am | #1

   Lee Valley has a huge hardware catalog. Also, if you are looking for those leather-type straps for steamer chests try Rockler

   Lee

2. 
   roc | Nov 03, 2008 10:37am | #2

   This is way far out but what the heck I will mention it:

   You could carve from wood, clay, or wax handles in a shape that pleases you. Make the parts just as if you intended to use them.

   Then take them to a bronze foundry and have them do a run of them. It is easy for them to make duplicaates because they will make a mold that will allow them to make duplicates of what you have carved.

   Then use the best ones for your trunk and sell the rest ( to people here) to recoup your investment. The foundry can color them the way you want or polish them.

   I used to work at a bronze foundry and saw small batches come through the door all the time. You would be surprised. The Bush wars sunk the fine art community here. Putting thriving small business owners out of business ! Complicated reasons I suppose. We had more dambed work than we could do before that ! Big stuff, little stuff, everything. Sure am glad it is the end of '08 !

   There are older articles but I found this recent one for you:

   http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/Materials/MaterialsPDF.aspx?id=30247

   as Frank Klausz says ". . . go for it !

   
   

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   Edited 11/3/2008 2:39 am by roc

3. 
   joinerswork | Nov 03, 2008 04:08pm | #3

   RGomez,

   I may be off the mark, but look  for Horton Brasses, Ball and Ball, Whitechapel, or Ansaldi and Sons online.  All have reproduction brass and iron chest hardware. Renovator's Supply has a more down-scale line.

   Ray

   Ray

4. 
   Ray | Nov 03, 2008 05:00pm | #4

   One more source is Van Dyke's Restorer's, good selection of repro antique hardware.

5. 
   RalphBarker | Nov 03, 2008 10:38pm | #5

   Another important thing (perhaps not obvious) to think about is whether the handles will be decorative, or actually used to lift the trunk when full.

1. 
   RGomez | Nov 04, 2008 05:18am | #6

   Thanks for all the responses!

   I will investigate each possibility and let you guys know what I come up with.

   Ralph