How to Build a Wood Two-Gun Display Case

If you have vintage guns you want to display, a wooden display case is a great way to do it. Building your own as opposed to buying one can save you money, and making one is quite simple. Only a few items are needed to build a tabletop display case for two guns.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 4-by-8-foot sheet of 1/2-inch high-quality smooth-finish plywood
• Circular saw
• 1-by-4-foot sheet of 1/4-inch plywood
• Sander
• Wood stain or paint
• Precut piece of glass
• 1-inch wood screws
• Screwdriver
• Glue
• Cloth lining of your choice

Instructions

Cutting the Pieces for the Display Case

1. Measure out a 2-by-5-foot bottom piece on the 1/2-inch plywood for your display case. Cut this piece out with the circular saw.

2. Cut two 6-inch by 5-foot pieces from the 1/2-inch plywood. These are the sides for your case.

3. Cut out two pieces from the 1/2-inch plywood, 6 inches by 4 foot 11 inches.

4. Cut out two 5 3/4-inch by 4-foot 11-inch sections from the 1/4-inch plywood. These are part of the inset holding the glass over the guns.

5. Cut out two 5 3/4-inch by 1-foot 10 1/2-inch sections from the 1/4-inch plywood.

6. Sand any rough edges off all cut pieces. Apply wood stain or paint and allow to dry.

7. Find a local glass shop and have a 1-foot 10 3/4-inch by 4-foot 10 3/4-inch piece of 1/4-inch-thick clear glass cut for the display window of your case. All edges need to be smoothed and finished.

Assembling the Display Case

1. Construct the 2-by-5-foot frame using the four 1/2-inch thick side pieces. Put the 5-foot pieces on edge parallel to each other 2 feet apart and insert the 1-foot 11-inch pieces between them. Drive two screws through each end of the longer side pieces into the shorter pieces.

2. Attach the bottom of your case to the frame. Line up the 2-by-5 foot piece over the frame and drive a screw every 3 inches into the frame through the bottom, all the way around the frame.

3. Glue the four 1/4-inch thick inset pieces inside the case. Place a 4-foot 11-inch piece on edge inside the case against a long side of the case. Squeeze some wood glue between the inset piece and the side piece and press together. Attach the other three inset pieces around the inside of the box. You now have an inset for the glass that is 1/4 inch deeper than the outer sides of your display case.

4. Cut the cloth to fit across the bottom of your case and up the sides of the insets. Spread glue over all surfaces and attach the cloth. Allow to dry.

5. Lay the piece of glass on the insets inside the case. The glass will be even with the top of the four outer sides.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plan on removing the glass for frequent access, add a small lever to one edge of the glass for easier lifting.

• Be cautious when using power tools.