How to Build a Display Case
From your local lumber store, get two pieces of thin plywood, as high as you want the stand to be. Decide how deep you want the shelves and get slightly thicker pieces of plywood to make them. Be sure they're as wide as the longer (and thinner) pieces of plywood. The shelves should be exact fits between the sides.
Small nails, sand paper and either paint or stain should round out your shopping. Do you want the wood to be stained or painted? Colorful shelves can be nice if the items you want to display on them are bland in color. You can use the shelves for trophies, shoes, lots of things.
Using the sand paper, make sure that the sides and shelves are smooth, without splinters or snags. Then either paint or stain the separate pieces, first one side and then the other, making sure to get the edges as well. Once the paint or stain has dried (this may take a couple of hours or a couple of days, depending on what you paint them with) apply a coat of varnish to the shelves and inside walls to keep it shiny. When the varnish dries, you're ready for the next step.
Since both the sides are exactly the same height and width, lay them side by side and carefully measure, marking where you want the shelves. Mark both pieces of wood. Carefully nail the shelves (one side at a time) to the sides of the case. Once all the shelves are attached to one side, lay it down on a table, floor or work bench, with the shelves sticking up. Then place the other side of the case on top of the shelves, being careful to follow your marks and get it level. Nail it down carefully, making sure the nails are in as far as they'll go. With tiny dabs of paint or stain, cover the nails and sand them if necessary once they're dried. Apply the varnish to the outside walls and it's done.
Whether you've made a shoe rack, a plant rack, a trophy holder, or really big rack for your tapes and CD's, you can show it off with pride.
Published by Don Lee
I'm a truck driver and cover most of the USA. My laptop is always near at hand so I can write whenever possible. View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentI would personally like to make display cases for all of the medals that have been given to the long and distinguished line of service men and women in our family. Those, we are all extremely proud of and the family loves to come see them. I am kind of the family historian I guess. Anyway, great article!
Great article, Don. And I'll second Youranter's comment - my wife and I go to great lengths to procure original pieces from local craftsmen as often as possible. We don't need antiques or expensive pieces, but we like furniture with a personal touch.
That's a fact, Youranter! Craftsmanship used to be much more important than it is today. But building or refinishing something with your own hands still has WalMart beat!
Good post Don. It's just too bad that in today's society everyone heads to Wal-Mart to buy these items. One day people will wonder why we've lost all our skills. However, it does help the true woodworkers in that they can charge more for their wares and you walk away knowing you have a quality item instead of a press-board look-a-like.