Cladding the interior

Not wishing to damage the chest, which I estimate to be of at least one hundred and twenty years in age, I have decided to fit a false lining to the inside on to which I might fit the workings of the computational machine.

First some medium density fibreboard was cut to fit the four sides and the bottom.  With a snug fit friction is enough to hold these pieces in place and allow some tongue and grove cladding to be glued on which when varnished I hope will match the exterior.

Some strips are fitted above this, again held in by friction.  These will support the top of the main casement.

Finally the frames for the lower part of the ventilation systems are cut to size and put into place.

Restoring the chest

The restoration of the chest has begun in earnest with the meticulous removal of the remnants of the old covering. Although long since rotted away it does appear the chest was covered in some material but all that is left of it is some hessian threads trapped behind the iron strapping. After several hours with a blade and pick I have removed the last of the cursed cloth and I can now commence sanding and varnishing.

Serendipity

My wonderful assistant was in town forenoon and did come across a merchant offering a dome topped captains chest at a nominal price. It would be perfect for the computational machine she told me! Naturally I made haste to the establishment least someone else acquire it before me.

Upon arrival at the location described I found a peculiar shop which appeared as if had been established the for many a year although I am sure it was not there last week... it is of no consequence I'm sure.

The ringing of the bell above the door did cause to appear the proprietor who indicated she did in fact have a dome topped captains chest and gave some convoluted directions through the warren of passageways and peculiar doors that surely must not have fitted within the extraneous dimensions of the building.

After some time I emerged in the room containing the aforementioned chest and found to my delight it was as described ideal for my designs. While sturdily build and or a sound nature it was well deserving of its antique description. With over six score years of use it would take some work to restore this reliquary.

Beginnings

Alas my computational machine has been overheating of late and so I have put my self to the task of designing a new and improved receptacle for the machine's inner-workings whilst conjointly provisioning augmented thermal subjugation!

I have reasoned that such a contraption must have the following characteristics:

1) It must be sufficiently commodious to fit the apparatus inside, including the Anbaric Distributors, Gyro-Photogram Receptacle, Prime Ordinator Panel and a number of Binargarm Receptacle Units!

2) It must be satisfactorily ventilated to prevent the accession of the thermal nuisance that has resulted in my present predicament.

3) Unquestionably it should should have sufficient refinement that might be expected of a gentleman's impedimenta.

Where I shall find such contrivance I do not know.