Nautical themed accent ideas - anyone?

[Joe Unni]

I've been contracted to build both a small bookshelf and a display case with some type of nautical accents - former Navy guy. Not being a boat person at all, I'm turning to you all for ideas.

My first thought was to build this out of QS white oak styled between Mission and an old steamer trunk - wide rails/stiles, flat panels, black hardware etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
-joe

[Bill Arnold]

I've been contracted to build both a small bookshelf and a display case with some type of nautical accents - former Navy guy. Not being a boat person at all, I'm turning to you all for ideas.

My first thought was to build this out of QS white oak styled between Mission and an old steamer trunk - wide rails/stiles, flat panels, black hardware etc.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
-joeJoe,

The first thing that came to mind is a boat-shaped case, transom on the floor, bow toward the ceiling. We've all seen these from time to time and this sounds like a great application. This site http://www.beansboats.com/ has an example on its home page and many more inside.

Google is our friend! Search: nautical furniture

Regards,

[Russ Filtz]

Go here
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/eserv/eclipse.ecl?PROCID=WEBPROC.WOE.AUTH&AUTOLOG=YES&ID_1=10&CLEV=MORE&TRACKNO=0

They have all kinds of nautical hardware, fittings, etc. I bought some stainless threaded rod from them. Plus they know woodworking, since there's a lot of wooden boats!

[Bob Smalser]

Curves if possible. Lots of fair curves...even in a bookshelf. Shelving in traditional captain's cabins were scribed to fit odd places between curved beams and frames.

Tight space utilization, as room is at a premium in a vessel....size the shelves to his books.

Exposed hardware, exposed joinery, all hardware is brass or bronze, brass reinforcements at the corners because naval furniture not built in was struck into the hold when cleared for action...and even bronze drifts showing at the edges of laid-up panels.

Stars are the traditional decoration (navigation, eh?)...either sawn in or applied as cast "boat jewelry" like those from Port Townsend Foundry I used in the "Pipe Rudder" threads posted here.

Cast pewter inlays would be an easy touch done like I pour decorative lead weights. I sacrifice old , unused wedding presents and the like to obtain the pewter.



http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6490387/85796739.jpg

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6490387/85769044.jpg

[Jim Dunn]

I made a compass rose for my brother's birth day. Wrapped the outer diameter with rope. Used brass compass points and an arrow made from brass too. He hung it in his indoor pool. That's quite a place of honor as it sets up there right next to his Marine flag and decorations.
Or you could paint something Navy grey with white numbers and letters, you can't go wrong then.
Jim

[Richard Wolf]

The only one to listen to is Bob Smalser. Look at some of his work. nough said!!

Richard

[Jim Dunn]

Come on Rich we can all dream, can't we??

[Bob Smalser]

Come on Rich we can all dream, can't we??

A compass rose is a great idea.

Depends on what the client has in mind.

If he likes modern Navy then formica-covered marine ply with stainless steel nosings are appropriate to match what he had on the mess deck.

If traditional Navy then I'm thinking before, say, 1900...then you didn't see many wood inlays because they didn't have glues that would hold up to the severe seasonal movement in ships. Fancy decorations like that were chip carved and gold leafed.

Sea chest joinery and decoration would also be a good idea. You might head over to the Woodenboat Forum and do a search for sea chests for more ideas....including Bermudan Dovetails.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid22/p3ed40a34648282e0c57cd8c992b24d99/fda5770f.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid39/paf6ff1f5f13bc2e39a34296f9320de02/fd0b35ab.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid79/p88b2cc5c0d20147b96a3e5db3d1fd2da/fb220766.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid79/p9773091f7be53e498893edd3a8a7ae06/fb22076a.jpg

http://www.jpuwoodcarver.com/assets/images/whale_chest_big.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid149/p14d9740a7e27f5a98c75fee3097b1bb9/f6062508.jpg

http://www.jpuwoodcarver.com/assets/images/commissions/arnold_pic_th.jpg

[Joe Unni]

Thanks everyone for your replies - this is some great info.

I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks,
-joe

[Bob Smalser]

Notice most of those becket brackets are riveted rather than screwed on.

Jamestown Distributors sells copper common nails to fashion rivets, but more importantly...the roves (washers) sized to fit them exactly.

Rivets are merely nails driven into a pilot hole...a rove placed opposite....the nail cut with an end trimmer....the nailhead backed up with a hammer head....and the cut end peened down tight to the rove. Provides a much tighter connection than screws and is perfect for joining three or more layers together.

[Bob Smalser]

Riveted together a new centerboard trunk today and here is the process...might be an interesting way to install hardware like hanging straps:

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6583947/86371820.jpg

Pilot holes drilled undersize...countersinking is an option....and the copper nails driven through. These are large 16D and 20D for a big workpiece....smaller ones are easier.

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL12/1104763/6583947/86371840.jpg

The nail head is backed here with a steel block with a steel pin in it, the tight-fitting roves driven on using pipe scrap, the nail nipped off close, and the stub peened tight.

Here the inside of the truck and end posts were preprimed and painted, the joint coated with marine sealant and clamped overnight to allow the sealant to set up before riveting. Rivet holes were primed with red lead primer before driving.

As the wood is both riftsawn and airdried to 12%, the sealant is nonadhesive, and even the tight rivets have some "give"....the trunk sides shouldn't crack once protected by paint.

[Jim Dunn]

Bob where can you find such large Copper nails? The largest in this area are small, very small like #4 finish or smaller. Would love some nails that are larger and have a head for a bird house and some other outside items that the nail heads are going to show.

[Bob Smalser]

Jamestown Distributors, McMaster-Carr and others.