Several years ago, I visited a master woodworker who built domed-lid (camel-back) steamer trunks (sometimes called sea chests). His technique involved steaming and bending wood to create the unique lid. Recently retired from the Army, I am now in vigorous pursuit of my long-delayed wood working hobby.<!—-><!—-> <!—->
<!—-> <!—->
Thus far, my search for plans / techniques for building a domed-lid steamer trunk has turned up nothing. Even the Fine Woodworking archive has so far yielded nothing. Everything I’ve found to date has had either a flat, or coopered / barrel-type lid.<!—-> <!—->
I write today in hopes you may direct me to someone/somewhere I could find plans / techniques of building a camel-back steamer trunk. Many thanks in advance for any help you may offer.
Sincerely,
Tony Baker
Replies
I know we haven't covered this specific subject in the magazine before but I think Ernie Conover might be able to offer some suggestions as to how you would go about creating a doomed top using vacuum-bag lamination, so I'm putting your question into his folder.
Matt Berger
Fine Woodworking
Thank you very much.
TB
I am currently at Colonial Williamsburg for the 18th Century Furniture Conference. I will have to get to some resources in my office so will give you a more full reply when I am back there.
Regards,
Ernie Conover
Thank you very much.
TB
Once home I also find little in the way of plans about steamer (or traveling) trunks (or chests). I think the best approach would be to find an existing one you like and copy it--adding improvements of your own, of course.
Bending is done by heating in a steam box. I make mine from Schedule 80 drain pipe and it is shown in my article on Shaker Rocking Chairs. To successfully bend wood it must be kept above 180? F throughout the process and have 20% moisture content. Fortunately live steam accomplishes both ends. Bending of thin boards for the top of a trunk would have to be carried out within a minute's time. A piece breaking now and then would be par for the course.
The tough part is making a bending form which will give you the parabolic shape you need possibly also curving it side to side along the length as well. Some spring back is standard so you will have to design your forms to over bend a bit. This is the tricky part and trial and error are the only ways to find out. There is no formula that I know of. Good luck and if I can be of additional help along the way please feel free to ask.
With best regards,
Ernie Conover
Thank you very much! I'll be in touch!
TB
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled