>Steve Rundquist wrote:
>We've done several trunks here. Do you mess with the insides and replace
>the paper? What do you you use to rivet the lid stays if missing
>Do you have a standard method you use for each trunk? Inside... outside?
Dan Markell replies:
Hi Steve,
Enclosed is my best work. This trunk had all the "toys".
Typically I removed the old wallpaper, then replace with new or
if requested, install cedar on the bottom and sides or sometimes
just the bottom, then cedar the top.
The stays were generally held in place by long, softipped nails. I
reattach the same way. Let me know if I can be of any
assistance.
Dan Markell
Marshall, Mn
Dan Markell writes:
Here is the outside of the trunk with all the toys. I find that a
spray bottle with a coarse mist and just a small amount of dish
soap will do the trick. Just give it a liberal spray, let it sit for
30 min, spray again, then it should scrape right off.
When clinching the nails, I try to plan the work so the nailing is
done prior to papering or applying cedar. Clinch the nails with
the heads showing outside.
Dan Markell
Marshall, Mn.
Dan Markell
Marshall, Mn.
It is gratifying to have the accolades of one's peers. Trunks are
my specialty in the regard that so much history and sentiments
are wrapped in them. Most of the trunks I restore have been
involved in immigrant travel going back over 100 years. Lots of
them resided in barns, sheds, wet basements and the like--rust
buckets! Yes, the satisfied customers usually are not overly
concerned about the price unless they have bought the trunk at
an auction or antique shop.
The trunk pictured took about 18 hours from start to finish. The
box is not too hard to work on, but the tray and compartment
are time killers. A domed lid can be a challenge. The striping is
like applying frosting on a wedding cake, finishes it off just right.
The interior wallpaper was a roll picked out by the customer. It
really fit the occasion, especially the lithographs. I cut around as
close as possible, then papered and framed. Some of the smaller
lithographs can be carefully removed, other are too tightly glued,
so framing in place is necessary. We have a Goodwill and a
thrift shop in Marshall, I occasionally shop there for old
wallpaper. Some days you find a roll or two, other days it's
back to 1970! Attached is another trunk, smaller and with less detail.
The large cabinet/bookshelf came from my
old high school that is soon to be torn down. The cabinet dates
back prior to 1900 but the administration had enough foresight to
have it restored, now it is in the new district office. The other
shots were of a built in hutch that I have redone with oak trim
from the old highschool. Since the shots were taken, I have since
hung the glass doors and have made 4 shelves. Look really sharp.
