Cedar trunk

[Jim Finn]

A guy contacted me though our woodworking club website and said he was looking for someone to teach him woodworking, and i agreed to show him what I know.  He has been coming to my shop a few days each week and has made two cedar boxes with inlaid images in the lids. 

      He saw photos I have of cedar trunks I used to make and decided he wanted to make one.  Attached are photos of it finished.  He made the whole thing himself, with my guidance.  It came out fine.  He has had so much fun making this that he now wants to start making another, for his dad.  I enjoyed helping him make it also.

     The trunk measures 24" long 15" tall and 15" wide.  Hinged lid, raised panels on four sides and lacquer finish. Made, using 1/2" eastern red cedar.

Edited November 27, 2015 by Jim Finn

[Falcon]

Looks great you must be a good teacher!! Keep it up.

[oldhudson]

Is the center stile tapered or is that an optical illusion? And just out of curiosity, what's it weight in at?

 

It's great a joy to help someone learn about working with wood. Good for you taking time to help!

[Jim Finn]

We are having fun playing in the sawdust.  He is about the age of my youngest, 48.  He is retired career army and fun to talk with.  I am retired and have all day every day to spend with him.  Life is good.

     Yes the center stile is tapered at the same angle as the out sides are.  Five degrees off of ninety.  I have made many trunks like this over the years and it is  my own design.  I guess it weighs about twenty five pounds.  Most of it is 1/2" thick cedar except the top and bottom slats are 1/4". I had to re-visit my notes because I had not made one of these in over three years.  This is why I keep notes and sketches.

 

 

[Scrolling Steve]

Awesome trunk !......One heck of a student , teacher job !

[terrylee]

They look nice,I like the looks of red cedar and smell when you cut it

[amazingkevin]

A guy contacted me though our woodworking club website and said he was looking for someone to teach him woodworking, and i agreed to show him what I know.  He has been coming to my shop a few days each week and has made two cedar boxes with inlaid images in the lids. 

      He saw photos I have of cedar trunks I used to make and decided he wanted to make one.  Attached are photos of it finished.  He made the whole thing himself, with my guidance.  It came out fine.  He has had so much fun making this that he now wants to start making another, for his dad.  I enjoyed helping him make it also.

     The trunk measures 24" long 15" tall and 15" wide.  Hinged lid, raised panels on four sides and lacquer finish. Made, using 1/2" eastern red cedar.Trunk Alex 2.jpgTrunk, Alex, Back.jpgTrunk,Alex,open lid.jpg

Boy i should have had you as my teacher long ago.Boy the stuff I'd be making now whoa! Excellent work your new friend did quality controlled by you!

[dgman]

You have to be proud of that Jim! You certainly are a good teacher!

[don in brooklin on]

That is a really cool trunk.  Really like the cedar and the design.

 

At our club we are looking for a "project" to do a group build.  Would you mind if I forwarded to our project leader to see if this is appropriate?  This would teach a lot of techniques.

 

Are the panels done on the table saw or a router?

 

 

 

Don

[Jim Finn]

I have done the raised panels using a router and have made some trunks with flat panels with inlay in each.  Raised panels can also be done using the table saw but I have not tried that.  I have attached a photo of this trunk with the flat panels and simpler top. Email me and I will send you directions on how to make this trunk, along with the drawings  I have posted above. Also a cut list.

Edited November 28, 2015 by Jim Finn