Fig. 8.1. A robust trunk in mahogany with ‘riveted’ corners.
That is an excerpt from “Marketing campaign Furnishings” by Christopher Schwarz.
One of many extra frequent items of marketing campaign furnishings is the straightforward trunk, generally additionally known as a “sturdy chest,” “touring chest” or “barracks chest.” The one proven on this chapter, nonetheless, has some uncommon particulars you have to be conscious of. Extra about these oddities in a number of paragraphs.
Trunks sometimes have sq. ends – each the peak and depth of the trunk could be roughly 15″ to 25″. Generally, they’re someplace between 25″ to 40″ broad. The chests are steadily dovetailed on the corners and certain with brass corners and different brass straps. Regardless of the dovetails, lots of the lids and bottoms of trunks had been merely nailed to the carcase. It’s not uncommon to discover a trunk with a lid or backside that has a cut up.
The trunks nearly at all times had a lock or hasp to guard the contents.
Most of the trunks had been raised on some type of foot. The foot might be as easy as a sledge (generally known as sled) foot – only a sq. of wooden – all the way in which to a posh bracket foot.
Inside, many trunks had a small until with a lid, very like a typical family chest. This until saved small gadgets and its lid served as a cease to carry the trunk’s lid open. The chests are sometimes made out of mahogany, oak, teak and camphorwood, which naturally repels moths.
The trunk proven right here is typical in a lot of its attributes aside from the joinery on the corners. As a substitute of dovetails, I’ve chosen an unusual (however undoubtedly dependable) sort of joinery discovered on trunks from the West Indies.
Fig. 8.2. A ‘rivet.’ This piece of early marketing campaign {hardware} is held in with screws that then had their heads filed off flush to the pull. This function exhibits up on different items and even on English infill handplanes.
That’s a Rivet?
I first encountered this joint whereas haunting vintage shops on King Road in Charleston, S.C. One of many trunks there had a collection of brass circles that ran in a line up every nook. At first it regarded like brass inlay, which is a standard function of some Anglo-Indian marketing campaign items.
As a substitute of ornament, the brass circles turned out to be the joinery.
The seller, who had imported marketing campaign furnishings from the West Indies for many years, defined that some collectors referred to that joint as a “rivet.” He defined that the rivet was nothing greater than a brass screw that had been pushed in so its head was nonetheless proud. Then the screw head was filed flush to the carcase, eliminating the slot.
It’s a surprisingly easy and (I believe) engaging solution to make a robust joint that appears so much higher than having 12 wood screw plugs lined up on the corners.
This strategy exhibits up in different purposes within the woodworking area. Typically, screw heads are filed flush with a bit of {hardware}. And if you happen to’ve ever seen infill handplanes, you already know it was frequent for the maker to screw within the wood infills and the lever cap then file off the heads – making for a clear sidewall of the device.
This trunk relies on a number of smaller English examples I’ve studied that had been dovetailed. However as an alternative of the dovetails, I substituted “rivets” because the joinery to make the trunk look extra like one from the West Indies. If you would like a extra English look, lower through- or full-blind dovetails on the corners. The opposite ornamental particulars, such because the brass corners and bracket toes, just about stay the identical.
Fig. 8.3. Usually English. This small trunk options blind dovetails on the corners, brass corners, chest lifts and a robust lock.
Nearly a Butt Joint
The joinery of the trunk is so simple as a contemporary kitchen cupboard. The ends are captured by 5/16″-deep x 5/8″-wide rabbets lower on the ends of the back and front items. This nook joint is first glued then later screwed. The underside is captured in a groove plowed within the ends, back and front.
The lid is constructed so much just like the case beneath. The ends are glued into rabbets in the back and front items. The lid is then nailed on prime of that meeting.
When constructing the carcase, there are two primary paths you’ll be able to observe. You’ll be able to construct all the chest and lid as one unit then noticed the lid free from the carcase. Or you’ll be able to construct the lid and carcase individually.
I took a path between these extremes. I lower the joints on all of the elements. Then I ripped the lid elements free from the carcase elements. I assembled the lid and carcase individually. Why? I don’t like pushing an enormous assembled carcase over a desk noticed. However all three approaches work. Select one you want.
— MB
