Island Cutter

As much as I hate to press advertising on everyone, as part of my agreement with Bloody - its how I’m paying for the Pub.

As a Merchant Craftsman and member of this Pub; I am interested in seeing if (with product review, permission and payment,of course)I could get my ad to run in the cycle on our pages.

Do you have any information or leads on how this might be done? When searching through Google's info, it seems that it would just be a random "happenstance"

Many Thanks

Here is an image of a nearly completed Sea Chest...

It still needs some work, and I already have improvements to the next one.

All of the KD (knock down) fittings will be internal and invisible from the outside. In fact, they will be hardly noticeable on the inside. That will eliminate the need for the screws through the face of the chest and make assembly/disassembly even easier.

Next step: Personalizing

Just a thought. I was a touring guitar technician for 18 yrs. and have seen many cube shaped stage props that were assembled with plywood and a few sliding barrel latches on the inside and were sturdy enough to hold your average musician. They latch together (no tools needed) faster than individual screws, and are sturdy enough to stack, stand or sit on. an ye don't havta fill all those screw holes.

An excellent idea and one that I have fiddled with in the past for a "period style" enclosure for a very large, very modern ice chest. It works well enough if the piece is going to stay put, but there is a tendency for things to rattle around a bit when it is lifted or moved.

The best solution to the issue is using the pro grade KD fittings from suppliers like Rockler.

Rockler Woodworking and Hardware

This is one of the"upgrades" mentioned in the survey poll.

If the chest is going to be shipped flat and set up permanently only once, then the screws and wood plugs are fine. If the intention is to knock it down and set it up frequently, then these fittings are nearly a must. They won't add too much to the cost, but they will make the mobile lifestyle much easier.

How does it assemble from the KD position? Do I have to screw it together?

Sorry, I neglected to explain that.

Yes, The chest hold together with screws through the faces of the front and back. The counter sunk holes would be covered with wooden plugs. It goes together pretty quickly:

there is a rabbeted slot at the bottom of each board that accepts the bottom sheet panel (the central and slightly darked board in the knocked down view). You slide this into the back panel, add a side panel and fix it first with a screw to hold it as you repeat for the remaining sides. Once it's held together, you just go around flushing it up and adding the remaining screws.

I'm priming and painting now, so more images will be up soon.

It looks sharp. How do you plan to test it? Are going camping with some large pirates in bad weather?

Well... only time will tell on how it holds up to the elements, but if the viking sea chest that I made about 20 years ago is any indication, it should do well (alibi most of those twenty years have been spend in a nice, cozy room.). It's not meant to be left outside or actively abused, but it is made to be used under "normal circumstances", what ever they are.

As for the issue of strength... I am 6' tall and weigh "about" 180 lbs. First I sat down on it. It felt sturdy. Then I dropped my stern down on it, HARD! Still OK. Then I stepped up on it. No Problems. Then I hopped up and down on it... just a little bit. Still held together. I am sure that if I get on my hockey gear (to cushion my inevitable fall), and really jumped up and down, I would eventually discover the breaking point; but it does seem to be able to hold up to "real life" usage.

As mentioned, it is made from Exterior Grade MDO Plywood. The same stuff that I use in my Sign Making business. It hold up very well, day in and day out in this wretched climate here in the Northeast... Cold wet Winters and blistering Summers with rainy spells thrown in just for fun. The important thing is to keep a good finish on the chest, especially the edges, and it should serve you well for many years.

Eye am keepin a weather eye on this thread..great work so far..

I be lookin forward to the finished product..

Thanks.

I can't wait to get out the paint bucket and hide all of the "modern concessions" and gently (or not so gently) weather it into a nice, period looking condition.

I expect that I'll be starting that tomorrow.

My thoughts ~ you may wish to address the weight concern. The reason I would purchase a folding sea chest is so I could take it with when flying to events. At 29 pounds, that stresses the already tight weight restrictions imposed by the airlines.

Yes, this first version stressed sturdiness over lightness. The 3/4" MDO is only a few pounds heavier than it would have been in Pine, yet significantly stronger. I could certainly work one up in 1/2" MDO(ply) or Pine, but I would not use one such as that for a bench and I certainly would not try to stand on it. If lightness is your concern, it might be time for me to design a KD Sea Chest that would stack down to fit in the "overhead stowage locker" of those winged beasts.

I love a challenge!

I would like to see what one of things look like - mind posting a picture?

I am taking a bit of a chance here by showing this unfinished piece as a teaser, but I just couldn't wait. You can see some more photos on my Flickr page...

KayDee Sea Chest - A Work in Progress

Please remember that the purpose of this experiment is to see if it is possible to offer an alternative to expensive, hardwood sea chests. Basically, to create a piece that would hold up to some of the rigors of outdoor events, while not jeopardizing an "heirloom furnishing" or compromising too much in the way of an historical look. More progress images will be forthcoming as the piece is finished with paint and decorated in a Period Style.

aye, I took your survey. I would be interested in a sea chest of some sort. I think I would be a good thing to had as I am collecting pirate gear rather quickly...

I happen to like this particular style, I found *hehe* on the Half Moon ship this past fall...

What do you think? or should I put this in the Sea Chest thread?

Greetings M'Lady,

I think that would be a fine chest to make up. The design is fairly straight forward. I do have a design just about finished that has the sloped sides that just screams "Pyrate!" I should have the images up in another day or two.

I'll keep ye posted.

I can attest that he does good work. He did a stellar job on our sign!

Many thanks. It is a pleasure to know that my work is appreciated.

I hope that the sign is serving you well. Please send along any pictures from new events.

I would like to see what one of things look like - mind posting a picture?

I am just finishing the basic construction tonight and will have "progress report" pictures available within a day or two.

Once the prototype is done, the first Sea Chest in the "Production Run" Sea Chest #0001 (as you see, I'm very optimistic regarding the series run numbers) will be going to auction on eBay starting at One Piece of Eight* AND I will pay for Standard Shipping to most** locations in the Continental US. Furthermore, I will encourage the winner to allow me to customize their Sea Chest to make it uniquely their own.

All I will ask in return is to allow me to contact you so that you can share your observations on the finished piece. Let me know what you like or what you don't like, etc., etc.... so that I can make the best Sea Chest to fit our needs.

I hope that this will entice some more of you out to review my work and perhaps own one someday.

Sound Good to you?

* - Before we get into a BIG discussion on the Historical value of a Piece of Eight or general Monetary Nomenclature, let me say right here that for the purposes of this auction and general simplicity, I am setting the value of One Piece of Eight (= 8 Reales or 1/16 Doubloon) at US $10.00. I can bore you with the details of how I came up with that in another post, if you like. BTW: That makes the value of a Doubloon US $160.00 in my world.

** - If you win and you live in some remote cave or up on top of a sea gull poop encrusted Crow's Nest, and the USPS can't get to you without swinging from vines or leap-frogging aligators, you are going to pay extra for delivery!

I wouldn't mind at all getting an unfinished piece. Then staining and varnishing the rest yourself.

A kit would be nice. Thanks for even considering a project like this.

Sorry for the confusion. I just helped a Mate to set up an account, and accidentally responded to your message from his session, Silly me. That's OK... the lil' Bilge Rat now has two whole posts on his way to the next level.

Contact me if you want to talk about a Sea Chest kit. I'll be glad to help

pirate@islandcutter.com

Nevr mind him. I can made his box better and cheeper! :angry:

Keep dreaming Froggie... Keep dreaming!

I wouldn't mind at all getting an unfinished piece. Then staining and varnishing the rest yourself.

A kit would be nice. Thanks for even considering a project like this.

Sorry for the confusion. I just helped a Mate to set up an account, and accidentally responded to your message from his session, Silly me. That's OK... the lil' Bilge Rat now has two whole posts on his way to the next level.

Contact me if you want to talk about a Sea Chest kit. I'll be glad to help

pirate@islandcutter.com

I have a posting and a Survey Poll running in the Marketplace and I am interested in feeback. Could you take a moment or two to fill out a quick, multiple choice survey regarding Sea Chests?

Here's the link:

https://pyracy.com/index.php?showtopic=14051

(Let's see if this works too)

Sea Chest Survey

Oi Captain Browne,

Sorry that I missed you and the crew at yesterday's muster. Lately, troubles is clingin' ta me like fleas to a hound... one jumps off and another jumps on! I'll set my sites on the February Meeting and hope for the best.

Considering the Season and the weather it brings, this cozy Pub make make a great place to meet for a while.

cost darl'n cost...what be the $$$ ye be ask'n?

I know that cost is an important aspect, but I do not have that worked out as of yet.

I will say again, that my intention is to make a basic model available at a reasonable cost. I have seen simple, painted sea chests start around $250 - $300, and go upward of $600 for a more "furniture grade" design in varnished hardwood. I believe that I am on a good track to be able to offer a very serviceable, painted sea chest for around $150.00

I am also considering "kits" that you can finish yourself (and save some more doubloons).

Again, this model is not a reproduction, it is a "camp use" furnishing... very sturdy, with a generally accurate look that you can be proud to have around at a public event. The construction and internal hardware will be modern to save on labor and material costs, but the look of something "real" will be there.

I am finishing up the prototype over this weekend and will have some picture and prices available very soon.

I have just finished the prototype and it is certainly sturdy enough to sit on' and I believe that it is also strong enough for even an "above average" sized person to stand on!

Since I feel that it would be best to ship them "flat", They would assemble once and disassembly would be as needed.

I have made other chests in the past that were specifically built to hold a commercially available cooler. Lots prettier to see around camp than the plastic chest.

I'll finish up and get the progress images posted in a day or two.

I have posted this one on Ye Olde Tavern so forgive me if some of you have already seen this message...

Being a woodcarver and a cabinetmaker, I have made a few wooden chests in my time. Most were of my own design, but culled from various sources or bespoken by a client.

I am now looking to create a sort of “all purpose” sea chest that will visually fit in with the general GAoP period, yet be able to be disassembled and stowed flat for the constraints of modern travel. I am certainly capable of making a replica piece, but that is not my intention here. I want to make a series of good, and serviceable chests that will look well enough as a background piece, yet be sturdy and inexpensive enough to actually be used and knocked around a bit in the course of said use. The modern fastenings, which will facilitate in disassembly and reassembly will be hidden or disguised as much as possible. I have plans and drawing of everything from simple 6-Board, flat sided, nailed boxes to lovely barrel toped “pirate chests” and I need to settle on a “standard” design for general use

I am looking for some input on what you, the user, might want in such an item. I am currently designing a “typical” slant-sided, flat top chest about 30 L” x 15 W” X 17” tall.

As mentioned, the ability to disassemble it seems important when traveling, and they will be offered in many forms: Unfinished, Paint finished, Wax finished, Varnish finished, etc. I can even customize them with carving and decorative painting.

So, feel free to chime in. Let me know what you expect of a sea chest and certainly let me know if you are interested in owning one.

I agree with you completely...

She sounds at once earthy and ethereal.

My personal favorites: Welsh or Norwegian… reminds me of my misspent youth.

Darrike - an email has gone out with all the information regarding spacing, etc. Did you get it?

That e-mail seems to have missed me. Can you forward a copy, or post it here if that it OK with the promoters.

I would love to hear any sort of updates when available... it takes my mind off of my mundane work schedule.

Thanks

"Cutter"

THe idea is to make it seem more like a bazzar then just 2-3 rows of vendors and 2-3 rows of pirate camps. Mix N Match says I.

I like the sound of that arrangement. Too often, features of the Festival are separated and it prevents a flow between the the Merchants and the Performers. When it works, it makes for a Great Event.

Good. Now that we are back on line, is there any update regarding the events and a layout for set-up for the Festival?

I'm just "Davey Jonesin' " for information.

I never realized just how reliant upon visiting the Pub I have become...

"My name is Cutter, and I am a Pubaholic."

The Seafood Festival, held later in the year, on the Museum grounds, routinely pulls in 30-40K for the weekend...

...As one might guess, everyone wants a 'special' slot. Stand yer watch, says I, an be thankful the boson does not hae ye bend the storm canvass to the foretop mast.

Aye then, we heave to and brace for the "Wave of Humanity" to break over us, as they say. Let's hope it's a "Green Back Wave" full 'o "Golden Flashes". Like every Merchant and Performer, me coffers could use the boost that only going on the Account can offer.

This is going to be fun!

BTW: I'll be in touch with you later today via PM to discuss the Hellion Project.

"Cutter"

10K would be a tremendous turnout for a first run event. I was originally hoping for half that at best.

Has any sort of program or detailed list of each day's events been developed as of yet? I am just really excited and looking for more infomation to muse over.

Darrike