Trunks

Here’s one from Debra Early

Hi Churchill, I thought you might like to see the finished product. Your helpful suggestions provided me with guidance I would not have otherwise had and the
parts and supplies made it a fun project.

And we now have a usable trunk. You will note I was able to find suitable trim strips which were 1/4 ” Aspen (inexpensive from Home Depot) which I tacked on with the short clinch nails so as not to protrude through the sides. By using 1/4″ inch the original tray rails remained usable.

The original tray disappeared long ago so I made a replacement using 1/2″ Aspen (glued and nailed) lined with aromatic cedar which came out very nice. The original interior was lined with a brown paper on the sides and paper cover cardboard like pieces on the bottom and top all glued in. This was in very poor condition.

 Thanks again for your help,
 Seaton Reed

Take a Look at What Becky Prince Did

I always enjoy your newsletters and your website. Your website alone is like a reference book for refinishing a smelly old trunk and I appreciate all of your tips and advice.

I refinished the trunk using your shared knowledge from your website, as well as Brettuns Village’s handles, leather straps and stays.

The tung oil and golden oak stain formula is great too and it took several applications to soak in the dry wood. I’m planning to begin working on another trunk this week.

Best regards, Becky Prince

Frank Hayes Performed a Miracle!

This was my fathers trunk, sat in the garage for 54 years that I can vouch for, not sure how many before. So, I tried to make it look cleaned up but not redone as you can see.
We are extremely pleased with how it turned out, couldn’t have done it without your expert advice, beautiful leather pieces, nails and once again, your expert advice!
I would like to say for any other novices that want to take a project on like this- no matter how many nails you think you need, you will need more!

It does cause a break in the momentum waiting for them to arrive. However, it does give one time to reflect and reconsider ‘hmmmm, maybe I should ???’.

That’s what I did, and I love the result! Thanks again, hope to find a trunk in the neighborhood that wants to follow me home!

Frank Hayes, Grass Valley, CA

Howdy! Finally, after several hundred man hours of work and a couple hundred dollars in parts and supplies the trunk is completed!
Hopefully, the efforts of this family trunk restoration project are reflected in the attached photos along with photos of what I started with.

I do want to thank you again, for not just being a valuable source for parts, etc., but for answering my novice’s questions and offering sound advice.

I stayed strictly to your philosophy of “keep it original” (no paint or screws, etc.) even to the point of replacing the canvas and of modifying the strap holders to conform to the originals. I think my wife and grandfather would be pleased. Best wishes for your continuing success.

James L. Jim Zartman
San Antonio, Texas

Covered in new leather. Don’t the guys over at Brettuns Village Leather just love to see this type of restoration work!

Here’s a winner from Jennifer Edwards:

Sir, May I introduce myself, I’m Thierry Vermeulen from Belgium (Europe) and I’m a professional photographer and graphic designer. Me and and my lady are active in the re-enactment scene (1833 – 1899),
and after buying a real 1890’s field camera with tripod there was the need for a photographic toolbox. I never did this before, and the toolbox is made out of scratch, all by hand and I did not use any screws at all. Using no screws is something i learned from You, I’m very pleased to have found your site on the internet. Buying almost all the necessary stuff at Your shop, made it a lot easier to achieve my goal. Again thanks for the support, and hereby You will find 2 pictures of our new/old toolbox.

Friendly Greetings, Vermeulen Thierry
Antwerp, Belgium

Built From Scratch by Dave Lackey

Just wanted to say THANKS for the orders you filled and the questions you answered. Also, attached a photo of the completed trunk.

First attempt at anything like this and it was so much fun!

Best regards, Dave Lackey

Larry Larson’s Miracle

I would like to thank Brettuns Village Trunk Shop for the advice you gave me on refinishing my trunk and also the parts you had shipped me to do the job.

I had bought my trunk at an antique place in Michigan for $22.50. I cleaned it up, little paint, removed the paint from the wood and tung oiled everything else.

I put on some new handles, hinge, and some embossed metal where I had a lot of damage and I now have a beautiful trunk.

Thank you, Larry Larson

Nice work by Donald Guss