Federico used our cast iron chest handles to finish off this trunk that he made from scratch. FROM SCRATCH! Very nice work, Federico has created an heirloom that will last for generations. Here’s another of his creations, added in May 2006
From Alan Mills in Carlisle, PA
Alan must be the bravest guy in Pennsylvania. Can you imagine taking on this project? Even mice wouldn’t live in that trunk the way it looked before. They all moved out. Nice work, Alan. The word ‘miraculous’ comes to mind.
For the Back of the Buggy
Robert Fisher of Virginia used some of our handles and tacks to complete this trunk for the back of his 1930 Ford Coupe. Although the trunk may not be the best looking part of the car, it still looks pretty snappy.
This guy has vision. Mike has bought a couple of trunks from our Compost Pile – but he manages to breathe new life into them, as you can see. We weren’t about to mess with that weird paint, but it didn’t bother Mike at all. Or maybe he’s just not admitting to it.
Turned out to be a nice Christmas present for his wife. What a guy!
This is my first project but not my last. Thanks to Brettuns Village for the advice and parts I used! I also used the tung oil and golden oak with a little added secret ingredient.
Thanks again!
-John in SC.
Check out this one that John built from scratch using parts from Brettuns Village:
After refinishing several steamer trunks I decided to make one from scratch, after spending several days in my workshop I ended up with this replica of an 1880’s steamer trunk. The trunk is made from one inch pine boards which I planed down to a half inch just like the original trunks, then added the oak wood slats and brass plated hardware. There are no screws in this trunk, the main trunk is nailed with small nails and all the oak slats and hardware were attached with solid brass tacks. The trunk has some small dings and hammer marks here and there, but that’s from being hand made and not machine manufactured! It is made of 100% solid wood, no particle board or plywood in this one! Its stained with golden oak and a touch of cherry and mahogany stains.
From Mike Vitetta – Custom Built for his 1930 Model A Ford
Mike used our handles, straps, and some spare pieces of matching leather to do the corners of his trunk.
They may not build cars like they used to, but Mike knows how to make the trunks. E-mail him your questions here.
Thanks Again for your advice and help. The Handles, Straps and hardware were perfect. The information on your web site was really helpful to me. I decided to keep the original worn look, but removed the black paint that was in big runs all over the place. I scraped this thing with a dental pick carefully chipping of the paint and other crud from years of neglect. I sanded and used brass wire brushes to clean the embossed tin then used flat black paint. After it was dry I lightly sanded the tin to reveal the canvas like embossed pattern. A light scraping and sanding of the wood slats and some red mahogany stain (that maple don’t take stain well) did the trick.
Followed all that up with two coats of thinned Tung oil. I think its safe to say that this will someday go to my kids.
–Les
To all you good folks at Brettuns Village, Thanks to your help and wonderful website, I finally refinished my first trunk (first photo, above). It belonged to my great-grandfather and got passed down through the years. I took the “before’ pictures a little late
(after I started tearing it down), but overall I was very pleased with the final outcome (even though I broke a cardinal rule and painted the metal!!). I hope this one is good enough to make your “Customer’s Gallery”. Thanks again for all the help,
Joe Mihm
North Branch, Michigan
Well, you’ve got me good and hooked now, a hopeless basket case. I just finished my second trunk (my first is on your Customer’s Gallery, and I have four more in the wings).
I bought this one off of George McConnell, whose name I discovered from your website- he is only about an hour away from me here in Michigan. I attached some before and after pictures.
All hardware was purchased through Brettun’s village (advice was free!). You’re website should come with a warning- “this hobby can be hopelessly addicting, and involves vast amounts of hard, dirty, detail work.
Enter into it at your own risk!” Once again, thanks for the advice.
Joe Mihm
North Branch, Michigan
From George Bernheimer:
This trunk is one I made, with your parts, for my wife to use in pre Civil War Territorial Kansas and Civil War era living history presentations that she and I do. Thanks again for looking out for us!
Best regards, George Bernheimer
Tom & Pat Gaber Worked a Minor Miracle
Hi: We ordered a hide from you in November 2004. We covered an old Majestic Mighty Monarch radio with the hide. You mentioned that you would be interested in seeing the finished product. Here are some pictures of what your hides covered up. It was a lot of work, but the finished radio is beautiful.
But here are the pictures – hope you enjoy them.
Tom & Pat Gaber
