Here are some of the pictures I had promised. The one with rustic walnut and cherry is the one I built for the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer that will be auctioned off in February 2010 and the other two are the ones I built for the kids. I fell in love with the walnut and maple one and I plan on building one similar for myself. Please tell the story as it may give others inspiration that have cancer or a family member with it.

Its no secret that Google SketchUp is a very popular program amongst woodworkers. Considering what it does, its incredibly easy to use. But it can still be intimidating to someone who is using it for the first time. So with the help of my buddy Aaron Marshall, we put together a few videos showing how to construct the square lid to the Steamer Trunk. Now these videos do assume that you’ve opened the program and have a little familiarity with the tools. If this is your first experience with SketchUp, I highly recommend checking out the tutorials located at SketchUpForWoodworkers.com.

Another thing you might want to check out is an older video I did showing how I typically use SketchUp. I rarely design an entire project from start to finish. I just use SketchUp to work out proportions and measurements. And you’ll see me do that in the first episode of the Arts & Crafts Table series.

You can download SketchUp here and if you are looking for the original file used to make this Steamer Trunk tutorial, you can download that here. Also, check out the SketchUp Room in the Wood Talk Online Forum. There is a growing list of models there available for download.

Let me know if you would like to see more videos on SketchUp.

The final installment of the Steamer Trunk series. I apply the faux walnut straps, apply the water-based finish using my HVLP turbine, and install the tansu hardware. All in all, this was a great project that really reinforces simple frame and panel construction. At the end of the video, I even have a little update on Duane’s progress on his trunks. Things are coming along nicely. Best of luck to you Duane!

And if you would like to donate to the cause, please check out the following links:
American Cancer Society
James Cancer Center

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

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

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

Moving right along, we continue cutting and assembling parts for the steamer trunk. I spend a good deal of time on techniques that will help you when working with plans. The key is to realize that some parts need to be cut using measurements from your project, NOT from the plan itself. I also spend some time creating the thicker top panels, since they are not as simple as they appear from the outside.

Now that all the joinery is pretty much complete, I show you an alternative method for making the tongue and groove joints that could very well be faster and easier, if you have a router table. I use a tongue and groove bit set from Eagle America. Check out the links below if you are interested in going that route.

And why do I wear a dunce cap in this episode? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Links:
Tongue & Groove Bit Set
Coping Sled
Razor Saw

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

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4

On to our next project: a steamer trunk. This project was built and filmed in an effort to assist my new friend, Duane. The video gives the whole story.

This first part focuses on building the frames that make up the sides of the trunk case. I cover numerous topics, but I spend a significant amount of time on grain matching. And since I don’t work with plans on the show very often, I thought it would be good to review some tips, tricks, and overall strategy for working with plans. I am incorporating a few notable changes to the original plan. First is the joinery of the corner “legs”. I will be using a rabbet instead of a reinforced miter. The second, and most dramatic change is the top. The plan calls for an arched top, and I have opted for a square top.

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

If you are interested in Lee Valley’s side rabbet plane, check this out.

Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware This plan shows you how to build your very own classic trunk… Steamer Trunk Plan and Hardware

Quick Links:
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 1
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 2
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 3
Steamer Trunk, Pt. 4