Greg Mullen is a skilled woodworker who works from his home in Lexington, Virginia, on a variety of projects large and small.
But sometimes the retired engineering professor visits his woodworking shop to find peace.
"When I really want to go to the store and relax, I cut the dovetails by hand," Mullen said, referring to the tried-and-true technique of joining the ends of the wood together after it's cut. "They are very funny. They look great and aren't that mysterious when you cut them. You have to be careful and pay attention to details, but it is not impossible.
Mullen will have the opportunity to share his traditional carpentry skills and other tricks of the trade at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's upcoming Build Your Own Classic Sea Chest workshop.
The cost of the four-day workshop is $775, with a 20% discount for CBMM members and includes materials. Basic knowledge of carpentry is mandatory. Register now at bit.ly/CBMMSeaChest.
Mullen was inspired to build his first classic sea chest after seeing a seven-page article in the September/October 2005 issue of WoodenBoat magazine , in which writer Gary C.
Mullen has built many of these sea chests over the years. One was donated to a charity auction, bought by a former student, and the other was given to his 2-year-old granddaughter.
Mullen is excited to finally be able to deliver the workshop at CBMM after a previously planned version in 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A takeaway for attendees is a unique talking point, suitable for land or sea.
Since its original design, the sloping sides of the hull helped to adapt to the ship's curvature and provided a strong foundation for rough seas, but it is easy to imagine many other uses. The subtitle of the WoodenBoat article promised to revive classic construction, promising " powerful 19th century utility".
Mullen guides the participants step by step on the way to the finished product. He said the precision required, especially with dovetails, is enough of a challenge for those looking to improve their woodworking skills.
"When you work together, things can get complicated, but it's not insurmountable," Mullen said. "It requires careful shaping, neat sawing and then careful chamfering to get everything clean before you put it all together. Patience is definitely needed.
