Traditional Muzzleloading Association

The Center of Camp => Camping Gear and Campfire Cooking => Topic started by: jbullard1 on August 11, 2008, 09:57:58 PM

Title: Camp box
Post by: jbullard1 on August 11, 2008, 09:57:58 PM
I have found a rondy I'm going to attend in October I dont have much in the way of camp gear and would like to build a storage box for my tent and a few things. I have about 30 sg ft of premium tongue and groove red oak flooring, will this do to build something like a foot locker? any pictures of boxes greatly appreciated
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Post by: Minnesota Mike on August 12, 2008, 10:49:53 AM
You sure you want a box for your tent and all your other stuff? That's getting into a lot of weight to lug around. Plus being a good size box.

Unless you have some specific consideration for wanting one big box, maybe you should think about a couple smaller boxes for a bit more flexibility and easier carrying.

If you intend to have people sit on the box, make sure there is at least one cross piece and support 'beam' on the inside unless box is fairly short.

We've got two camp boxes - a short one that has tent tools, repair items inside that we take for either the hunter or big wall tent. And a big box that we can pile all manner of gear inside of for longer rendezvous. It also dooubles as extra table top since it sits pretty tall. But it weighs a ton - so we rigged groove underneath for temporary axle to stick a set of wheels on it and that works well for lugging to/fro camp and van.

A note to remember about handles - if you're putting in rope handles, make sure the loop is big enough for getting your hand all the way around the rope. The small box we have came with one side cut way too small - kept scraping back of hand until put longer rope in there.

Last bit of advice - if the box is going to sit outside of the tent, then make sure you put a couple of runners underneath it to get it up off the ground a bit. Keep the bottom out of the rain or moisture to help prevent the wood from rotting.

r/
MM
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Post by: Uncle Russ on August 12, 2008, 12:21:10 PM
Jerry, if I remember correctly, RichW has a bit of experience with camp boxes. He should be along any time now and I bet he has some ideas too.

Like MM mentioned, I went totally overboard with my "camp boxes" a few years back and once packed, they were simply too heavy to be practical.

I like a box that is large enough, heavy enough, and stout enough to sit or stand on, yet light enough to be moved around without  getting a hernia.
And, simple as that may seem, it can be hard to do if you don't select your wood and design properly.

Uncle Russ...
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Post by: woodman on August 12, 2008, 12:46:16 PM
Look in the Voyeger Sketchbook by Hanson and use either the Cassette or the sketch of the Hudson bay ration box.
  There both sized so they hold a lot but not so big that ya can't pick them up.
   Woodman
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Post by: jbullard1 on August 12, 2008, 12:59:42 PM
:oops: Dont got no books

I just started calculating the amount of wood I have and my box can only be about 16x16x24 unless I use plywood for the bottom
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Post by: Minnesota Mike on August 12, 2008, 01:10:06 PM
Panther Primitives is whom I bought our small box from. You can hit their site and maybe get an idea from the photo.

They also sell plans for boxes, trunks.

r/
MM
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Post by: Spotted Bull on August 12, 2008, 01:55:32 PM
Jerry, I go tsom ebox plans on my at-home computer........I'll help ya out when I get back to it.....
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Post by: Sir Michael on August 12, 2008, 09:01:06 PM
:cry: experience has taught me that several small boxes designed for specific items are much better than one big box.   :lol:   You may even want to consider making a cover and tying your canvas into a bale with the cover painted with NWC or HBC shipping marks.  You might also want to consider using wicker baskets either round or rectangular in lieu of or in addition to boxes.

Just some thoughts you might be able to use.
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Post by: RichW on August 12, 2008, 09:56:57 PM
Quote from: "RussB"
Jerry, if I remember correctly, RichW has a bit of experience with camp boxes. He should be along any time now and I bet he has some ideas too.

Did I hear my name?   :shock:

Here are the boxes I use.

[albumimg:1vd867dt]1988[/albumimg:1vd867dt]

This is how you build them.

[albumimg:1vd867dt]1989[/albumimg:1vd867dt]

The cassette is from Voyageur's Sketchbook, an original in the Autry National Center, and the article on cassettes in the MOFTQ.

The provision box is taken from the Hopkins painting "Voyageurs at Dawn."

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/FAH_Voyageurs.jpg)

Here is an original from the HBC Archives.

[albumimg:1vd867dt]2603[/albumimg:1vd867dt] (CLICK)
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Post by: jbullard1 on August 12, 2008, 10:41:05 PM
Thanks a lot Rich
I have started my box and it more looks like a shipping crate than anything else. It is apprx. 24"w x 14" h x 16" d. I planed all the wood to 1/2" to save on the weight.
 I am thinking of using leather for the hinge how would it be attached
and what would be proper for a latch
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Post by: RichW on August 13, 2008, 10:28:28 AM
Many packing cases had 3/4" ends, and 1/2" or 3/8" sides.

Use carpet tacks for the leather.

Most packing cases I have seen had 2 reinforcing strips on the lid, either inside or outside.  With leather hinges, the lid flops around a bit, so I would place the reinforcements inside, so they rest snug against the side boards.

Most post-WWII cases have reinforced ends in a [] pattern of 2" - 3' strips.  This is not correct for earlier boxes.

You can also make a leather hasp that "buttons" over  a square nail.
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Post by: jbullard1 on August 13, 2008, 11:16:40 AM
Rich
Do you have any clear pictures of shipping company markings that may show up in the south. I can get a reverse decal cut and stencil the markings onto the box
and thanks for the leather hasp idea. I've got a few small pieces of thick leather that should work good for hinges and hasps
Here is what it looks like Rude and Crude
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/HPIM3818.jpg)
(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/HPIM3820.jpg)
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Post by: RichW on August 13, 2008, 01:01:20 PM
Most common would be the number, like 14/21.  That would be crate number 14 of a total of 21.  Then the person, city, ship name, etc.

It might say what was in it.  

But I would say, it was a home-made box, since it is obviously flooring scraps.  As though somebody needed a box to move gear, and had a lot of extra flooring.  I have seen a table with the top done this way.  The top was original to the piece.
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Post by: Uncle Russ on August 13, 2008, 02:03:41 PM
Quote
Here is what it looks like Rude and Crude

To these old eyes it also looks Sturdy, and Stout as an Ox!....that box will be around after all of us are long gone!!

Uncle Russ...
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Post by: RichW on August 13, 2008, 06:13:42 PM
It should last a looooong time.  As long as heavyweights like me don't use it like furniture or to make speeches from.   :lol:

Looking at it again, I remembered that English fancy veneered casework (furniture) was made from glued up oak, for stability.

One mark I did find was a 'R' inside a horizontal diamond.  It was a crate for shipping tools, c. 1810.

Like this, with a 'R' inside

(http://www.matchsticks.com/Diamond-matches.jpg)
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Post by: Sir Michael on August 13, 2008, 10:04:41 PM
This link should give you some ideas about marking your crate.

http://www.northwestjournal.ca/XVII3.htm
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Post by: jbullard1 on August 13, 2008, 11:31:59 PM
Thanks Michael  :shake
Between yours and Rich's ideas I should be able to come up with some markings
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Post by: Christiaan on September 17, 2008, 08:13:09 AM
Looks like a great box, jb. I like to see the bow with the markings.
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Post by: Minnesota Mike on September 17, 2008, 01:49:17 PM
Quote from: "jbullard1"
Thanks Michael  :shake
Between yours and Rich's ideas I should be able to come up with some markings

So how did this ever turn out? Inquiring minds would like to know!!

r/
MM
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Post by: Sir Michael on September 17, 2008, 08:18:13 PM
:)  :)  huh huh huh  :)  :)  well how did it come out?
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Post by: wwpete52 on September 22, 2008, 11:42:17 AM
One thing I do like about camp boxes is that you can sit on them like a bench if the chairs are all taken.
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Post by: jbullard1 on September 22, 2008, 11:57:52 AM
Quote from: "Sir Michael"
:)  :)  :)  :)  :)  well how did it come out?


It came out pretty good for a rookie
Very simple lettering with a paint brush
"Bullard & Co"  and a couple of numbers  4/7
I'll post a pic soon
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Post by: Christiaan on September 22, 2008, 01:26:48 PM
Looking forward to the pics.
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Post by: Sir Michael on September 22, 2008, 03:15:20 PM
Me Too. :)  :)
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Post by: jbullard1 on September 22, 2008, 04:25:43 PM
Well just to keep everyone happy I pulled it out and took some pictures

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture018.jpg)

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Acoutraments/Picture021.jpg)
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Post by: jasontn on September 22, 2008, 04:47:52 PM
thats a really good looking box jerry. has a real nice period look with the lettering.
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Post by: Sir Michael on September 22, 2008, 08:37:57 PM
Nice Box. :hairy
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Post by: Black Hand on September 24, 2008, 10:30:36 AM
I have found that several small boxes are much more useful than a couple large boxes.  Easier to pack, lighter to handle and can also serve as furniture.  I made my last box with the cross-strips on the lid on the inside.  Works just as well and you have more usable flat surface.  Just remember to cut the cross-strips a bit shorter and maybe bevel the ends.  

Personally, I would save the expensive oak for more formal boxes or other projects and use cheap pine/fir for the "kick around" gear/supply boxes.....
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Post by: Minnesota Mike on September 24, 2008, 10:32:41 AM
Yup. We got over eager with ours . . . and its a monster. Rigged a mobile set of wheels to set under one end so we can wheel it around like a cart if we need to haul it any distance.

r/
MM
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Post by: jbullard1 on September 24, 2008, 10:43:22 AM
My next one will be a little smaller
The Oak was free. Both my sons are flooring contractors and they save "pops" the leftovers
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Post by: Sir Michael on September 24, 2008, 01:50:02 PM
I use cedar fencing for my utility boxes.  fairly wide, not too thick, and rough cut.
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Post by: melsdad on September 28, 2008, 08:42:14 PM
That box turned out very nice Jerry.