82 – Duane’s Steamer Trunk (1 of 4)

Video - February 23, 2009

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 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.

Resources

Rockler Steamer Trunk Plans

Discussion

Kris Lauer February 23, 2009 6:57 pm

Great video. It was like having a private lesson with you!
I really enjoyed the thorough explanations regarding why you did this or choose that and how to examine your wood so it is more visually pleasing when done. That is one of the things that makes me shake my head when looking at some of the prefab stuff on the market. They don’t take any time to see what goes with what and it shows.
Also, thanks for your heart. Duane is blessed to have someone like you as a friend. He has a huge battle in front of him and when someone else shows they care it goes along way!
God Bless!

Reply
Ben Wilson February 23, 2009 8:41 pm

Great 1st episode – can’t wait for the next one. When you were doing the grain matching looking for the right patterns it also looked like there was a slight variation in the board colors? Is that a factor or will your finish help match up any slight variations? Good luck to Duane – our thoughts are with you.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer February 23, 2009 8:48 pm
  
  Oh yes, color is definitely a factor. But I really didn’t have enough pieces to work with to let color be a determining factor. But when you can, color matching early on will make sure the color matches later too. Now if you stain, you can probably ignore slight color variations. Clear coats however will let that difference show. But, in some cases, there is only so much you can do. I didn’t stain this piece but the colors look relatively uniform, fortunately.
  
  Reply
Jacques February 24, 2009 7:49 am

Ok! I am actually loosing sleep time because of these videos!!! Worked last night saw you posted but could not view it ( did I mentioned I have explorer retardation at work) so here I am eating breakfast and glued to the screen. I Love the way you ended this one with a cliff hanger â

Reply
Sunshine Gerl February 24, 2009 9:53 am

Great first video on the steamer trunk project Marc!!! The detail of the project process was awesome. I’m sure Duane is exited about seeing this video and to get started on his trunk. Thanks for the video, lots of good advice in there!!!

Sunshine Gerl :)

Reply
Jim February 24, 2009 7:54 pm

Loved the video. I’ve been long time watcher (and listener) and this one for Duane is very cool. I really liked the project aspect of this. Kind of back to basics, though even experienced guys can get a thing or two.

Can’t wait for the next installment… and we’ll keep Duane in our prayers.

Reply
wizer February 25, 2009 6:44 am

Let me guess. Nicole was away while you were filming this? ;)

Another great vid. Like the look of that new mag-fence. Great for re-sawing.

Reply
Kirk Crawford February 25, 2009 3:32 pm

Mark,

You used a plane to open the groove to allow the panels to fit better.

In the show notes you don’t tell what it was or a link where to find.

Thanks for a great show.

W. Kirk Crawford
Tularosa, New Mexico

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer February 25, 2009 3:38 pm
  
  I added the link to the show notes, and here it is again: http://www.leevalley.com/wood/.....1182,41192
  
  Reply
- Kirk Crawford February 25, 2009 4:51 pm
  
  Never mind. I found it.
  
  It was, ‘Veritas
  
  Reply
John Norgaard February 25, 2009 7:52 pm

I am truely touched by your kind-heartedness in search for a way to help Duane. As always keep up the good work.

John Norgaard
College Station, TX

Reply
Leo Vogel February 27, 2009 10:23 am

Mark, another great video and what a kind gesture towards Duane.

I’ve told you before, you need to get your own TV show. I would love to see you on the DIY network. You already have a 1 1/2 years of video you could sell them. You would have a large following.

Reply
Jim Eller February 28, 2009 9:21 am

Marc,

Great project and better yet, a great reason for it.

Thanks for being a caring individual and sharing your talents.

Jim

Reply
Jaane March 5, 2009 10:59 pm

Perhaps you can answer this question that I have wondered about occasionally: Why do you care if the grooves are centered in the rails and stiles? Wouldn’t it be more efficient(especially when working with pre-thicknessed material) to simply get it close and then run only the face (or the back if that is the choice) against the fence?

Norm mentions this “tip” all the time but I’ve never understood the benefit.

Reply
Dan March 6, 2009 1:44 pm

Will the side rabbit plane effectively handle a cross grain dado?

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer March 7, 2009 11:16 am
  
  While I haven’t tested this myself yet, I would think it would do a fine job. The blade is very sharp and held at a very low angle. I’ll have to give it a try and report back.
  
  Reply
Jaze January 12, 2011 11:50 am

Lacking the side rabbet plane, could you relieve some of the inside of the groove with careful application of sandpaper instead?

Also, fangirly squee at the “hearthstone” t-shirt you wore…mine’s in Dalaran, of course.

Reply
- thewoodwhisperer January 12, 2011 11:54 am
  
  You certainly can, but its going to be difficult to maintain a nice clean edge using sandpaper. So when joinery is a factor, I always opt for something with a blade.
  
  And Dalaran? I didn’t know there was anyone left in Dalaran. ;)
  
  Reply
Rich February 16, 2011 4:27 am

When you used that nifty rabbet/shoulder plane, did you need to take material off both sides of the groove to keep it centered? Or was there not enough being removed to make a noticeable difference?

Rich

Reply
Jay May 31, 2012 1:01 pm

I picked up the side rabbet plane after watching this episode recently. I also listed to the discussion on WTO #42. Wow. The pair of L/N look nicer and are more traditional, but I really like the L/V one you had here. Thanks for making me aware of the tool. After this, I scoured the L/V and L/N sites to see what else was out there.

Reply
Keith October 28, 2013 1:27 pm

I looked at this a dozen times and can not seem to find how to treat the exposed slot in the four corners of the trunk. Can you point me to where the subject is covered? Thanks

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo October 28, 2013 1:33 pm
  
  It has been a while since I looked into the details of the project. But the corners are all rabbets. What needs to be treated? Keep in mind my brain isn’t fresh on this project.
  
  Reply
Gary Janes October 15, 2014 6:13 pm

Marc, you are a class act! Thoroughly enjoy your website and especially the steamer trunk project. What a blessing you have been to Duane and his family. They’ll certainly never forget your gift to them! Thanks for admitting and showing how to correct errors! We know we all make them, but not all of us can fix them…thanks for your help and encouraging us.

Reply
KevinG February 3, 2015 9:05 pm

Marc,
Did you ever finish the hardware with this chest? What did you end up using for it? Where did you buy the hardware? Do you have any pictures of it finished up?

Thanks

Kevin

Reply
- KevinG February 4, 2015 11:18 am
  
  Never mind. Just watched part 4. For some reason I had forgotten that you finished it with Tansu hardware.
  
  Reply
Justin August 25, 2015 1:05 pm

You mention using the featherboard for safety in part 1 to get your fingers out of harm’s way. I noticed, however, that you ended up pushing the work piece to the fence behind your featherboard BEHIND THE BLADE, which is actually the riskiest place to have your hand. Make sure that your safety precautions don’t end up unsafe.

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo August 25, 2015 6:28 pm
  
  Not sure I agree totally. In the ideal world, a second featherboard would be the best bet in that situation, proving pressure in front and behind the blade. But in a pinch, if I feel the workpiece drifting away from the fence I have no problem using my finger to provide the pressure needed to keep the work under control and prevent kickback, making the cut safer. As with anything safety-related, we all have our personal lines to draw based on our experience and comfort level with the tool. If I were editing with today’s sensibilities, I probably would have edited that out and replaced it with footage showing two featherboards being used. But that was probably the only shot I filmed and while not something I generally recommend for a beginner, I don’t quite see it as extremely risky.
  
  Reply
David November 4, 2015 4:18 pm

The SketchUp file is a bad link, it’s actually malaware, opening up random advertising websites. Is there an alternate place to get the files? I would scan the links! You may be infected.

LOVE the show, I’ve learned so much, Thank you Marc!

Reply
- Marc Spagnuolo November 4, 2015 4:53 pm
  
  Looks it was an old URL that someone else purchased and then used for bad things. Link removed. The only thing I currently have is the PDF version available above.
  
  Reply

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82 – Duane’s Steamer Trunk (1 of 4)

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