Building a Display Case

Display cases are one of the best ways to show off your collections. Depending on what type of collection you have will determine what type of display case you might want to build. The principle in each case is the same, so if you want to build one out of wood, minimal woodworking skills are all that is required. For this example, we'll use western cedar with a ¼-inch plywood back.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 pieces of 1-by-4-by-36-inch western cedar
• 2 pieces of 1-by-4-by-48-inch western cedar
• 1 piece of 37-by-48-by-¼-inch plywood
• Carpenter's Square
• Electric miter box
• 4d finish nails
• Wood glue
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• 100 grit sandpaper

1. Place two of the 36-inch pieces of western cedar between the two pieces of 1-by-4-by-48-inch western cedar so that you have a box. Apply some glue to one edge of one of the 36-inch pieces and secure it to the 48-inch piece with the 4d finish nails. Repeat this process until you have a box that measures 37-inches wide and 48-inches tall.

2. Next, begin adding the other four 36-inch pieces as shelves inside the box. To do this, apply glue to the ends of one shelf, slide it in place and secure it with the 4d finish nails. Clean excess glue immediately. Repeat this until all the shelves are installed.

3. Determine which side of the display case is going to be the back and apply glue to all the edges. Lay the ¼-inch plywood with the best looking side facing inside the display case on the back of the case and secure it around the edges with the 4d finish nails.

4. Draw some lines across the back directly behind the shelves that you installed. Next, secure the ¼-inch plywood to the shelves using the 4d finish nails. If desired, fill the nail holes with wood putty before sanding it.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety glasses. You can sand all the parts before you put them together as this will make the final sanding a little bit easier. A decorative option is to apply some ½-inch mold to the front edge of the display case.
• Do not leave power tools unattended. Do not allow excess glue to dry.

Resources

• Display Cabinets
• Hallen Display Cases