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My children need small trunks (footlockers) for camp this summer, and we were thinking of making them, since my husband had a wooden one. Then we thought of making it out of PM and putting a coat of exterior polyurethane as the final coat. I also thought of maybe even using fabric as a punultimate coat.
We can get big boxes from the furniture store so were planning to use cut-down boxes as the armature.
Is this totally insane, or might it work?
Thanks very much!
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Not crazy at all. Check out my post on Papier Mache Coffins in the Forum list. The same sort of principles could apply.
It would cost virtually nothing, but would take time - in the making and the drying, depending on the climate you are in.
If you want handles and clasps, bed in a small panel of wood where screws (or preferably small bolts) will have to go through. If it is to take much weight, you might bed in strong straps joining those panels to each other.
For extra strength, you could put a thin layer of fine, strong pulp around it all. There is information on that on this site but, if you like, you can email me and I will send some.
I hope this helps.
DavidO
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It sounds like a great project and I would be keen to know how you get on with it. Some years ago I decorated some bought toy boxes for my son and his cousin. When wanting to paint one for my second son I discovered that the boxes we used were no longer made. I have wondered if Papier Mache is the answer.
Looking forward to seeing postings of your results.
Best Wishes,
Charlotte
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I am wondering if a layer of poultry wire mesh sandwiched and glued between two layers of corrugated cardboard would make a strong support for something like this? Then PM over and around the edges.
Try to use methyl cellulose wallpaper paste or PVA (white) glue, not flour/water (see the "Seal before base painting" thread for why).
Sue
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:twisted: I reckon Sue (catperson) is right . . . . but then, she always is!!
The chicken wire would probably not be perfectly flat but you could overcome it by drawing the outer sandwich of cardboard together by using split pins, or by using ties from strong thread or twine. After that you would apply several layers of paper laminate to hold it all together and give added strength.
DavidO 
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Thanks so much, everyone
I will look over all the information with my children so we can do a good job, and then I will post results. We are not starting right away, and I will probably have some more questions before we're finished 
but this looks good!
Thanks again!
PS David, I have been looking at seed catalogues for a while, and whne I saw your avatar, my first reaction was, that's an interesting-looking gourd...
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Corners was something I was working with as well. In addition to the above suggestions, others suggested I use cornerning materials (metal, thin wood, plastic) cut to the length needed. I tried a bit of V'd crown moulding on one item which made for interesting design (placed outside the box). Fabric worked well on two smaller projects we did (an incense stick case and a jewelry box). One gentleman suggested using hinges, either static or movable. Haven't tried that yet.
There was a site I saw where this gentleman designed a plastic tack of sorts. I don't see why that can't be done with various other nut/bolt type items from hardware or even craft stores. Basic idea is to poke a hole in the cardboards, slip in the tack and secure it with nut like item. Metal bent over should work as well (gonna have to try that one).
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