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My step-daughter's 24th birthday is this Valentine's Day. She's a world-class horsewoman, riding instructor, vet assistant and a volunteer with our county's mounted horse posse. I thought I would surprise her with a custom tack trunk to hold all her stuff at the stables (and to get it out of my garage/workshop!)

I searched the web for plans but didn't find any that I really cared for, so armed with a bunch of pictures (I'm not into horses myself and had never even seen a tack trunk) and some general measurements I drew up my own version. The finished chest measures 40"w x 24"d x 30"h. The framework was constructed of 1×4 red oak, held together with pocket screws, dowels, and glue. The side panels, top and bottom are 1/2" birch plywood. Everything was stained with Varathane Paprika then sealed with 5 coats of semi-gloss polyurethane. It rides on 2-1/2" swivel casters.

The interior is divided into several compartments. The open space on the left is for her pads and saddle. The right side has a hinged cover storage area for personal stuff. Her grooming tote (the only thing I didn't make) sits on top of that. A sliding tray rides on rails the full width of the trunk.

The deep lid is divided into a section for leg bandages, a mirror for checking her make-up between show rounds, a magnetic dry-erase board to keep track of event schedules, and a small medicine chest for pill bottles, pens, and what-not. A chain stay keeps the lid from falling back, and I am looking for an adequate strut to ease lowering the heavy lid.

This was a simple and fun project and I hope to do more of them for her friends and clients.

Gallery

Comments

· Registered
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20 Posts
Nice project Hal. Should serve her well for years to come. Good job sir!!!
 

· In Loving Memory
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10,077 Posts
I am a "horse guy" and just wanted to let you know that you did that just right! One of the nicest tack trunks I have seen. When her friends see that, you may be in the tack trunk business!
 

· Registered
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259 Posts
With all those features and compartments, she will be happy to use it. Great build and great job!
 

· Registered
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9 Posts
Your tack box looks great. I was ask to attempt building one due to pictures of your box on the internet. Thanks (sarcasm). Any hindsight suggestions you have for me before I start to build one? Thanks
 

· In Loving Memory
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10,077 Posts
I see you edited your "non-horse -guy" terminology! LOL
 

· Registered
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Thank for the kudos everyone. Because of this one I've already been commisioned to build two more by my step-daughter's clients!

Kevin - the only thing I would really change (other than specific requests by a customer) is the bandage lid. If you look at my picture, you'll see the slots for the leg wraps are all the same width. The next ones will be sized for both wide and narrow wraps. You can pick up the dry-erase boards and inexpensive mirrors at the $ store. I bought a Kreg pocket screw jig just for this project and I highly recommend it. Good luck with your project and LMK if I can answer any other questions!
 
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