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.<!—-><!—-> <!—->
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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.
Replies
Don't know of any resources, but I'm interested in the problem. I think I know what you are talking about -- like a treasure chest, right?
Anyway: were the parts steamed and BENT (that is, clamped to a single form), or were they steamed and MOLDED (clamped between two forms)?
Molded I believe. I think I will just find an old trunk of the kind I'm looking for and make a plaster cast of the lid. From that, I'll fabricate a series of clamping jigs made for a particular board. I'm sure there will be a lot of trail and error. Thanks for your response. TB
Got just the thing your looking for. I've built several of these chest and the response was great. Go to http://www.rockler.com and look for steamer trunk plans. You build it out of oak, oak ply. and black walnut for the banding around the trunk. Looks really impresive. I'll try to attach a couple of pictures of one I made so you'll get the full affect.
Thanks Kevin. I've seen their plans. Thier trunk has a coopered lid, not a "domed" lid. Thanks for your post! TB
I don't know how they were made in production, but if I was looking to make one, I'd build it like a strip-planked boat is built. You build a form out of plywood sections spaced every 6" or so, and bend the slats over it. If they are thin enough and the wood is flexible enough, you can skip the steam. You can shape and glue the slats up one at a time that way. Not too hard, but it takes more than a few clamps!
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Thanks Mike! Perhaps as I press on, I'll find out why there isn't a lot of information out there about this kind of work. It sounds like a lot of trail and error, but I have the time. TB
Hi,
Thanks for your service.
David Marks did a treasure chest show. Check out all his shows on http://www.diynet.com
Here's the link to the rounded top chest he did.
http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,2829,DIY_24936_55027,00.html?videoid=68478&c=725
Regards,
Ken
"Do as you would be done by." C.S. Lewis
Thanks very much. I actually saw this show he did. Unfortunately, I'm after a domed lid instead of a rounded one.
This is stating the obvious, but Google is awash with steamer material including coopered examples.
Roger that. Sadly, they are as you say - coopered. I'm after the "domed" variety.
Try new yankee.com. Norm has a plan available for $10.95 plus freight.
Roger that. Norm has a nice plan, but it is a coopered (barrel-shaped) lid, not a domed lid. Thanks.
Is this what your looking for?
It's my great grand dady's. Unfortunatly, it's been redone with aromatic cedar inside and tin on the outside leaving little construction detail.
But from what I can see, it's still coopered like some barrels for wine making.
If you have any question I can take a closer look for something in particular. It might take a bit of time because the chest is at my parents plance.
Hope it helps somewhat
Perhaps without the tin, but this is EXACTLY what I'm I'm aiming to build.
I'm begining to think the detailed construction techniques and precedures for building a trunk like this are a lost art that I will have to resurrect.
To that end, I belive I will have to make a plaster mold of this style of lid, and from that fabricate (by trail and error) a number of clamping jigs - made for one particular board - of the several boards that will make up the top. Each jig will have to bend the individual boards on two different axis', twist and bow.
Absent further suggestion, thats what I'm thinking I'll have to do. If you have any different ideas, I welcome them.
Thanks
Tony Baker
Tony
I sent you an e-mail a few weeks ago because I figured this discussion was closed. I don't know if you got it, so will send this.
I suggested you try and get in touch with Lon Schleining, the author of Taunton's "Treasure Chests". He has a pic on page 137 of a domed lid chest, tinned. The description says the "doming" was originally to shed water, but later to prevent other trunks from being put on top and damaging it. Lon may have some insight as to the process of dome construction. Please let us all know!
Thanks.
Pete
I did. Thanks!
TB
I'm glad if PCM gave you a good lead but if it doesn't work out, I'd check barrel making techniques. Most barrels are round but some have this jar shape. Good luck.
And like PCM wrote, let us know how it works out.
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