How to Build Collectible Doll Storage Display Cases

Finished case

This is a simple enclosed case for dolls or anything that you want to display and protect. It is made of wood (any hard wood you choose), plastic or glass (cut by you or a professional) windows on all four sides, and nailed or screwed together. Additional steps can be taken to add support or ornamentation but they will not be shown here. Also, different measurements can be used for larger cases. This case measures approximately 16-inch high and 10-1/2-inch square with the base and top attached.

Things You'll Need

• Two square wood boards - 10-inch L x 10-inch W x 1-inch H
• Four square sticks - 15-1/2-inch L x 1-1/4-inch W x 1-1/4-inch H
• Four square sticks - 10-1/2-inch L x 1/2-inch W x 1/2-inch H
• Four square sheets of glass or plastic - 15-inch L x 9-inch W x 1/4-inch L
• Wood router
• Saw
• Drill
• Nails
• Screws

Instructions

1. 

   Take the square wood board (10-inch L x 10-inch W x 1-inch H) and cut a 1-1/4-inch L x 1-1/4-inch W x 1/4-inch H square in each of the four corners. Repeat on the second board.

2. 

   Take the smaller four square sticks (10-1/2-inch L x 1/2-inch W x 1/2-inch H) and cut each end at a 45 degree angle, 1/4-inch from the end.

3. 

   Take the larger four square sticks (15-1/2-inch L x 1-1/4-inch W x 1-1/4-inch H) and use a router to cut a 15-inch L x 1/4-inch W x 1/4-inch D slit in the exact middle of each stick. Start and end the cut 1/4-inch from the end.

4. 

   Take the larger four square sticks again and turn the sticks 90 degrees over to make a second cut, the same as in step 3.

5. 

   Take the square wood board (10-inch L x 10-inch W x 1-inch H) cut in Step 1 and fit each of the smaller four square sticks cut in Step 2 onto each edge of the board and nail them on. Repeat with the second board.

6. 

   Take the four square sheets of glass or plastic (15-inch L x 9-inch W x 1/4-inch L) and fit each edge into the slit of the larger four square sticks (15-1/2-inch L x 1-1/4-inch W x 1-1/4-inch H).

7. 

   Repeat Step 5 until you create a square perimeter with one glass or plastic sheet on each face and one vertical stick in each corner.

8. 

   Fit the box created in Step 6 into the square wood board (10-inch L x 10-inch W x 1-inch H). Each stick end will fit into each one of the squares cut into one of the boards in Step 5.

9. 

   Fit the second square board from Step 5 onto the top of the box created in Step 8.

10. Drill a short hole through each of the corners of the bottom square wood board and into the four vertical sticks.

11. Place a screw into each drilled hole to hold the board to the vertical sticks. Counter-sink each screw.

12. Take the top off and place a doll inside. Put the top board on top. If you want it permanent, repeat Step 10 and 11 on the top board.

Tips & Warnings

• A table saw, router and drill will make every cut and hole easier and more accurate to perform.