Diversion

I am building a 'seachest' that'll live at the front of the vardo, on the steps.  It's designed to be a general storage box, and additionally a way for me to add tongue weight to the trailer to help balance the whole thing while traveling.  It's made predominately with scrap wood, the same ship-lapped single-faced wood I made the front and back walls with, as well as the floorboards.

It's a simple design, a slender internal frame holds the wood panels in place.  Each piece is epoxy glued to the frame as well as its partners.
 

I switched to using nails after the initial row.  Nails are sufficient to hold it together, and with long clamps I don't need the pulling power of a screw to lock things into place.

Here is the chest in its place

After staining it with a wood stain (so old it was the consistency of peanut butter) I started working on the edge trim.  I am edging the chest with 2" strips of aged copper I am cutting from an old shower drain pan that was lying around.


Dressing and distressing the chest is going to be fun. I am planning on aged leather handles on either side, copper hinge and latch hardware, aged with ammonia fumes and vinegar. Lastly I'll construct some tool-chest inserts and compartments to hold certain specific items.  It will require a waterproof seal (probably a rubber compression gasket) and a lockable latch.

I am also planning on installing some very short feet to protect it from moisture, as it will need to be removed from the Vardo steps and placed on the ground at camp.

There is something special about making boxes.  They can be so simple.  Carpenters cut their teeth on boxes and yet they remain one of the more common go-to's to illustrate a craftsman's skill.  Additionally a sea-chest is not just a box, it's the container of, and safety net for, a traveler's material life - it's integrity is paramount..