SPALTED MAPLE TRUNK

I built this trunk 7 years ago for my wife as a window seat and toolbox for her gardening tools. It has the dimensions of a standard trunk. The wood I used is Spalted Maple and it had an oiled finish with a lacquer top coat. Unfortunately, a leaking roof damaged the finish and it needs a re-work when time permits.

I hand cut the dovetails in the box and used a Dovetailing jig to make the joints in the tray. The tray is cut with 3-inch tall sides and the handles on the ends are cut from the same board to add strength and interest to the unit. The tray is about half the length of the box, fits inside and slides from side to side.

I built the unit as one piece and then seperated the top using the tablesaw. I could never cut the top free with a straight edge until I started straping each side after it was cut free to hold the top still until the last side was cut. This prevents the edge from moving on the final cut. I added a strip of molding to hide the seam between the two parts of the box.

I used trunk hardware on the box to complete the trunk look. I added to strips on the bottom to lift it up off the floor. I rounded over the corners, which I wish now I had not done because it makes the corner brackets fit poorly. It is still in service and looks right at home on our sun porch.

-- Terry Roswell, L.A. (Lower Alabama) "Life is what happens to you when you are making other plans."