Kitchen Kit/Chuck Box

[JJBiggs]

Howdy all...if anyone is interested in one of my box's, I am selling the one I made for myself. Getting ready to build a trailer.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/77217

[Corey]

Ahhh, the box that kicked off the birth of my box.
Thanks again for coming up with that design Chad!

[nwoods]

....Getting ready to build a trailer.

Interesting.....

[Imnosaint]

So many great chuck box designs and craftsmanship. Very impressive. I'm almost embarrassed to post this, but that hasn't stopped me before.

I found cheater-retail set-up at our local Sportman's. Made by Portal, collapses into a pack 18"x6"x32" that stows easily. Erected it has three work surfaces, two of which can be pedestals for a camp stove and a cooler, and the middle surface covers a canvas wash basin. Beneath are two pantries where we stow our kit, gas and lanterns, along with dry and canned goods. A fourth smaller shelf up top is flanked by poles upon which could hang a lantern or a water bladder.

kitchen.jpg

kitchstowe.jpg

kitchstowe2.jpg

LampHolder.jpg

sink.jpg

I have several old Pelican cases that I'm repurposing for camping, one of which neatly holds both pantries, two stoves, and an iron grill. It all stays sealed away from dust and heat, and sets up quickly.

FullKitchStowed.jpg

[lupinsea]

Alrighty, I've finished the chuck box and the plans are still in development. Here is a look at it in its finished state. I also shot a video yesterday afternoon so you can see how it works. Not that it's terribly complicated.

Features Include

• Table height work surface, 29.5" high
• Work surface area of approx. 14" x 34"
• Folds down to 15" x 20" foot print, approx. 18" high
• Stable base that doubles as a carry cradle with handles
• Skeletonizing to shave off approx. 6.5 lb of weight for a total empty weigh of approx. 28 lb.
• Fast, 15 second set up time
• Slot for modest campfire cooking grate
• Storage for two 1 lb. propane canisters
• Self-supporting utensil drawer
• Deep doors which include two spice racks and room for hooks for big serving utensils
• Large main cavity with modular adjustable shelves
• Paper towel roll storage

Destructive Testing
Incidentally, I had a scrap base cut and assembled that I didn't need so I decided to do some destructive testing. It was darn hard to break. I beat it on the ground. I jumped on it. Setting it on it's end upright I put all my weight (220 lb.) on the cantilevered legs. Nothing. Then I tried wracking it by putting one of the legs point down and pressing down with all my weight on the diagonal opposite side, repeatedly. That finally did it. Sort of. The corner joints cracked but that was it. I wasn't actually able to rip or break the base into separate pieces. And the base went back to it's regular shape after some severe distortion. It rather surprised me since the legs are simple butt joints, however, the base panel-to-leg connection is a rabbeted joint. But the whole thing is held together with regular finish nails and Titebond III glue.

So, I did manage to break the spare base but I was also impressed with just how much abuse it took from someone actually trying to break it. I feel a lot more confident about the build quality and durability of this chuckbox system.

Finish
There are 5 coats of Daly's Seafin Teak Oil on the chuck box exterior surfaces and at least two on the interior. FWIW, I liked working with this finish. Easy to apply and it helps harden up the wood fibers and looks good. However, it goes on very thin so it takes many coats (as recommended by Daly's) but a little goes a long way.

.

[Corey]

Very nice!
Wood chuckboxes rule.

[Driver-Navigator]

That's pretty sweet. Nice work!

[Imnosaint]

Beautiful.

[JackW]

Very nice - like the whole idea. If you have access to a biscuit joiner you might want to look at using those to join the pieces together - the make for a very strong joint that is virtually indestructible and quick to make.

[Sawyer]

Thought I share my version. After reading this entire thread and watching it for a really long time, I spent some time designing some very nice units. However, after pricing out everything, I found my price coming in very close to the Kanz system. So, I went with the next route I had always liked. I got a hold of an old Swedish Military field desk that had spent it's previous life like this:


A couple of quick modifications got me to this:


I used it for the first time over the weekend and everything worked perfectly!