Customer Reviews and Photos for:
Steamer Trunk Plan
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Average Rating:
4.1
(23 customer reviews)
$10.49
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1) Submitted by
Robin Thistle, from Patuxent River, MD
on 12/10/2012
Customer Rating:
Overall the plans were fairly easy to follow. Double check the measurements. A few of the step by step instructions contradicted the cutout list. I used walnut and oak for this one, and added a custom glass lid for the tray. I used rabbet joints for the corners of the box vice the miter joint in the plan. This was for a friends retirement.
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2) Submitted by
Jeff Thurston, from St Louis, MO
on 4/1/2012
Customer Rating:
I recently started up woodworking again after not having done much since my college days. This was a great project for brushing up on many skills and I learned a lot as well. As you can see, I put my own twist on the finish and really prefer the dark finish with an antique/worn look. While over all I'm happy with the plans, there were the "speed-bumps". I agree with comments made in other reviews. Templates would be better if not on back of page and the latch shim was a bit confusing. IMPORTANT: Take the time to download the updates for this plan at the Rockler web site…definitely will save some grief - especially when it comes to installing the lid supports. I thought the plans could have explained more how to assemble things, and what order to do it. I also think it's crucial to pay close attention to the plans in regard to sequence of steps. If I had…the project would have been completed with fewer headaches and in far shorter time …another lesson learned.
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3) Submitted by
Mike Boldt, from Whitelaw, WI
on 6/10/2011
Customer Rating: 
This was not my first time using Rockler hardware. I have always been please with all of your hardware and this time was no exception. I have been woodworking for many years and had fun building the trunk for a graduation gift for a family member. I was a bit disappointed in the plans though. Why put the templates on the back of the instructions? The instructions for the lid details were not very clear. I think a beginner would have issues with them. In general, I thought the plans could have explained more how to assemble things, and what order to do it. In the case of the lid, if you did not think it through first, you could have build yourself into a corner.
I used Cherry for the main rails and styles of the trunk and White Ashsolid for the panels. Black Walnut looked great for the stapping. Since this is for a girl and I am a bit old fashion, I lined the trunk and made the tray out of Aromatic Red Cedar. This gives the inside the look and smell of a cedar chest, without taking away from the looks of the outside.
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4) Submitted by
Charlie Piggott, from Hopkins, MI
on 3/20/2011
Customer Rating:
I am building my 2nd and 3rd trunk for grandchildern to take to college. Plans and hardware are very good.
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5) Submitted by
Larry LaRue, from Virginia Beach, VIRGINIA
on 3/15/2011
Customer Rating:
I'm a novice woodworker and I found this project to be an excellent way to learn and practice a number of techniques. It certainly took me more that 30 hours, but I learned a lot. Which shim to use with the keyed latch was a little confusing. It looked to me like they have the long and short shims drawing reversed. Overall, great plans.
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6) Submitted by
Bill Wold, from McCormick, SC
on 6/5/2012
Customer Rating: 
Last weekend I delivered my grandson, Daniel's Steamer Chest built from these plans. He absolutely loved it! I used Red Oak and Walnut, stained with a Minwax Aged Oak Gel Stain and satiny Poly wipe-on finish 5 coats. The project went well, although I had some difficulty with the splined miter joints. Everything fit pretty well. I purchased the hardware components individually rather than as a kits. I was not pleased with the lock set I purchased. It feels and acts "cheap".
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7) Submitted by
Moe Bedard, from Goffstown, NH
on 2/8/2011
Customer Rating:
Plans easy to follow providing you have intermediate or better wood working skills. I substituted biscuits for the splines. Plan to make another one soon for a friend.
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8) Submitted by
Joe Godwin, from Gautier, MS
on 10/27/2009
Customer Rating:
The picture caught my eye immediately as a combination trunk and toy box for our grandson. After studying the plans for an hour or so, I was ready to get to work. Paying close attention to instructions is sooooo important to properly build anything and this is no exception. The instructions are simple, to the point and thorough. I followed each detail and it really looks good and is strong enough (I used solid Oak with dark cherry for the bands and plugs) to last for years beyond the "Toy Box" age. Great plans and a good deal from Rockler. Thanks!
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9) Submitted by
Al Palmer, from Virginia Beach, VA
on 10/4/2009
Customer Rating:
I too used biscuits instead of the corner and lid splines. The measurements were all correct, just make sure you make all length cuts at the same time so all stays square and fits correctly. I made the tray a shadow box for a friend's retirement after 24 years in the Navy.
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10) Submitted by
Jim Welsh, from Laurel, MD
on 9/29/2009
Customer Rating:
Started as a blanket chest less the shelf, when two granddaughters arrived ended up being a toy box. Excellent plans and project. Note leather in place of walnut to resemble belts as used in the late 1800's. Also note dollar coin of completion year as a signature.
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11) Submitted by
Mark Davisson, from Muncie, IN
on 7/8/2009
Customer Rating:
Excellent plans and hardware. However - just a tip: The metal corner caps, in order to fit properly, require that the wood corners beneath the caps are rounded over. The plans do not specify this. It's not a problem - just keep it in mind before installing the hardware.
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12) Submitted by
David Edens, from Nashville, TN
on 4/2/2013
Customer Rating: 
Play close attention to all measurments. If you cut the spline groove at 38 degrees they won't line up! Number 5 on lid plan. I cut them by placing the face of the 38 degrees angle flat on the table saw returning the saw blade to 90 degrees and adjusting the rip fence and blade height. Hope this keeps someone from ruining some material.
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13) Submitted by
Tim, from Crossville, TN
on 6/19/2009
Customer Rating:
I was very impressed at the detail and recommendations for hardware. The templates were very useful, and appreciated. I would as always say any woodworker will make his/her own adjustments to the plan to make it their own, but would also recommend this plan to a novice as it is very understandable and do-able no matter what your experience. Its a great project one that you can hand down for generations!
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14) Submitted by
LARRY Taylor, from Temple, OK
on 5/7/2009
Customer Rating:
The hardware was exactly what I needed to finish my project. I like the quality and very much liked the speed with which you sent me the hardware. Thank you
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15) Submitted by
Fred Menzel, from Gallipolis, OH
on 12/18/2008
Customer Rating:
The plans were easy to follow and the drawings were excellent. The only thing I would like to see different is an additional page with the patterns on it. That would make it much easier to make the templates. The only change I made, was using biscuits in place of the splines. Great project.
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16) Submitted by
Gary Schroder, from Yakima, WA
on 12/15/2008
Customer Rating:
I am new at woodworking, but found, that for the most part, the directions to build this steamer trunk very easy to understand and complete. I built three trunks at once for family gifts. I have three more to build for friends since they have seen the trunks or pictures of them and want one also.
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17) Submitted by
Tony, from Bayfield, CO
on 11/20/2008
Customer Rating:
This is the first time I used a Rockler kit and plans to build and I was quite pleased. The only problem is that you have to use the key to open or close the locking latch. I also modified the plan and used actual leather straps around the trunk rather than the darker wood. This will make a great hope chest for our youngest grand daugther.
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18) Submitted by
Jack, from Mount Airy, GA
on 10/16/2008
Customer Rating:
I enjoyed building this chest very much. It was my first major piece since taking up woodworking so a few flaws do show but overall I am please with the results. The plans easy to follow but I made a change with the hardware because I turned it into a toy chest for my Grandson. I installed saftey lid supports and used a piano hinge because of the strain put on the them with the spring loaded hinges. I would love to build another one and will sure purchase more plans from Rockler.
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19) Submitted by
Daniel, from Chattanooga, TN
on 1/7/2007
With a purchased red Oak and salvaged Walnut, the Rockler plans for the steamer chest went together with minumal modification. Very sturdy in design. Makes a great gift. Would use rockler plans again.
The hardware bundle was complete and worked with minimal modification.
Oak and Walnut chest with Rockler plans
Oak and Walnut Steamer Chest
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20) Submitted by
Dan, from Park City, UT
on 3/24/2009
Customer Rating: 
I'm a big Rockler fan, but I am extremely disappointed with this plan and hardware package.The plan is ambiguous and the lock mechanism does not work.
There is no such thing as Red Oak plywood in my neck of the woods. If I were to do it again, I'd not use any plywood at all, except for the chest and tray bottoms. Just rip the 1/2" from red oak stock, that is all you need for the rest of the "plywood" stock.
And that corner stuff... well, it simply does not have to be that complicated. One detailed look at the plans will tell you that the author was confused about this too.
I am way disappointed with this.
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21) Submitted by
Ronald L. Runnells, from Mesquite, NV
on 4/7/2009
Customer Rating:
I have made four steamer trunks for gifts. The plans are good and easy to follow. The hardware kit is good, but I would like to see an improvement in the lock and latch. It is difficult for most people to use.
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22) Submitted by
Mark lauer, from Gibsonburg, OH
on 12/19/2012
Customer Rating:
I have built kitchen cabinets etc always using Rockler products. In other words a proficient woodworker.however I found the plans decent to follow but when it gets to the hardware your on your own. (using plans from 1998). If it was not not for talking to 2 others that have previously built this project I may have given up. Don't think you should sell plans until all of the bugs are out which was not the case with these. Not happy with the fit even now but to late to change.
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23) Submitted by
Dennis Hansen, from Lincoln, NE
on 1/3/2008
Customer Rating:
I built 4 of these chests for my four children for christmas. They turned out beautifully. I had a couple of problems. First when I was making the lid the written directions called for a 37 degree cut. The drawing calls for a 38 degree cut. Believe me 1 degree does make a difference. I tried 1 at 37 degree. I ended up redoing it at 38 degrees which worked out fine. The other problem I ran into was on the spring locks in the hardware kit. The locks closed very hard unless you use the key and turn the lock as if you were unlockingit. Then push the lock shut and turn the key bsck into the lock position and remove the key. Other than that everything went smoothly and looked great. In fact I have requests for a couple more and will probably get started on those pretty soon.
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