Display Case

[BrokenolMarine]

Went out this morning to attach the hinge to the case itself which will secure the top to the shadow box portion. First step was to center the hinge and put ONE screw in the center to insure it didn't move. Drilled that pilot hole and then put the screw in. Then repeated the process for a screw on each far end. Once that was done, I center punched all the holes so I could pre-drill all the remaining holes.

105 center punch holes.jpg (348.93 KiB) Viewed 3680 times

By pre-drilling the holes, the screws go in so much easier and it reduces the chance of both the split wood or the sheared head, as does the waxing of the screws prior to installation. You can also use bar soap. A great use for the old slivers left over that no one wants to use in the bath or shower. Just stick the tip of the screw into the sliver and install. Make sure you clean the surface before applying finish as the wax or soap could affect the finish if you don't.

106 pilot holes make screws go in easier.jpg (563.82 KiB) Viewed 3680 times

Slow controlled installation using the torque set drill as before, and the installation of the hinge was done. Smooth as silk. Now we can move forward toward completion.

107 shes done.jpg (366.72 KiB) Viewed 3680 times

Have to slip out to pick up the latch... not going to "Make Due" with something at this point.
And will pick up the trim to put around the base to hide the cleats... I knew I wasn't going to let it slide.

[Mags]

... You can also use bar soap. A great use for the old slivers left over that no one wants to use in the bath or shower. ...

No leftover soap slivers here. The wet sliver gets slapped and pressed to a new bar of wet soap and gets consumed as the new bar wears down.

My grand parents, when we cleaned out their house after their passing, had coffee cans of old slivers.

I enjoy your project sharing. You do good work.

[Hatchdog]

The end is near, outstanding.

My dad used to use the soap trick with wood screws. I had forgotten all about that. Nice trip down memory lane for me.

[BrokenolMarine]

Early morning was eaten up waiting for a new fridge to be delivered. Oh Joy.

Got out to the shop afterwards, and was able to get the latches installed for the top edge of the case top. Went very smooth. Have had plenty of time to plan. I measured a foot in from both sides, and marked the positions, and installed the hinged portions of the latch, standard tactic I always use. Taped depth on the bit, and torqued driver. Then came getting the exact position for the loop for the latch. This is always tricky, but of course, I have a trick. Form a double sided tape with blue painters tape. (There it is again, my blue tape.) Put it on the loop, and insert it in the hinged side of the latch and fold it over onto the case side. Press hard. Tah Dah.... Using a centering punch, mark the center of the two holes, then remove the loop and the tape, then drill. Install the loop.

108 centering the latch.jpg (487.78 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

Both are installed and fit just right. I could use locks, but no need. I just used small carabiners to insure they don't pop open and let the front of the display fall open and break the glass once it's on the wall.

109 both installed.jpg (498.09 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

Flipped over to the back, they won't be seen anyway.

[BrokenolMarine]

The next task for this session was taking care of something that was bugging me. A gap. No, not the clothing store, though that is not on the top of MY shopping destinations. This gap. Don't know how it happened, I must have been tired, or something slipped.

110 ugly gap.jpg (626.72 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

First, I took a scrap piece of the trim I made and cut a thin slice. Not thin enough, so I cut another. STILL not thin enough. ONE more try. Bingo, it worked.

111 cut plug.jpg (463.58 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

I spread some glue on both sides, and tapped it in carefully, (it's really thin,) with a rawhide mallet. While the glue is still wet, I carefully sanded it flush. This meant the sawdust that filled any remaining gaps, was glued into place.

112 glued in.jpg (555.5 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

I spent the next thirty minutes cleaning up and putting away, then stained the repair to match. Wow, it actually matches. I did have to cheat a bit. I came back in the house, pulled up the thread and looked. I had to read back thru and find out WHICH Watco I used on this frame. (Um...Golden Oak.) So, it matched.

113 stained to match.jpg (482.59 KiB) Viewed 3615 times

Took a break for lunch, and to meet the repair people who are picking up the old fridge. They have been good to us, and the fridge and freezer are find and it looks new. Only the ice maker doesn't work. They can fix it and sell the used fridge in the store and make some money. Good will is a commodity. I hate dealing with Craigslist.

[BrokenolMarine]

French cleats are next, and the trim, and done.

[BrokenolMarine]

One last session today. It was a long one, but just one pic. I set up the table saw, had to change to a smaller diameter blade so I could angle it to 45 degrees and run the two 6' boards thru to cut the 45 degree angle on the edge of each. Then I cut a 4' piece off each, leaving two two foot sections. Those were cut into four one foot sections. The four foot sections had two dados cut across to allow wiring to sneak under their respective faces that would touch the back of the case. I test fitted them to the case, but haven't attached them to the case or the wall yet. Tomorrow. I spent WAY too much time on my feet.

114 cleats.jpg (464.97 KiB) Viewed 3613 times

Tomorrow I'll mount the three pieces that go on the case, ON the case, and then mount the wall pieces on the wall. I have to organize the wiring on the back and secure it so it won't be pinched, you know, neaten it up. TOMORROW.

[Hatchdog]

Awesome trick filling that 45* gap.

[BrokenolMarine]

Awesome trick filling that 45* gap.

Thanks Hatch, but the trick would have been not HAVING the gap.

I always remember the index card an old woodworking friend had tacked above his bench, faded, curling corners, the white color turning yellow with age. He said HIS mentor gave HIM the card.
In shaky handwriting it said something to the effect of,

"It's only a mistake if someone sees it happen or until you can't fix it. Until then, it's a learning experience."

I try and keep that in mind.

[BrokenolMarine]

Okay guys, here is the bold truth. Went out to mount the cleats and the pucker factor was VERY high. If I messed up screwing cleats in place and went too far with a screw in certain areas, the screw could come out thru the leather.
Yeah, "Use Shorter Screws you'd say." GREAT idea. But, the back panel is 1/2 inch thick, then the leather. If I only screwed into the back panel, say, 1/4", not much holding power. PUCKER factor is high. So, while I thought of ways to reduce the pucker factor, I decided to make the molding. (Bok, Bok, Bok... ) Yeah, call me Foghorn Leghorn, I'm chicken.

I start out with that 1/8" thick 1-1/2" wide pine. Add in the molding plane, don't need the noise and mess of the router.

115 to make molding.jpg (428.23 KiB) Viewed 3564 times

You start making passes with the rounding molding plane, and keep checking your progress and moving the plane around the edge.

116 coming along.jpg (450.21 KiB) Viewed 3564 times

When you start on the second piece, your goal is to make them match as close as you can. The second piece is coming along, and will get there.

117 almost matches.jpg (391.78 KiB) Viewed 3564 times

Some additional work, and they are close enough since it's a minor element and most will pay little attention to it. I just want to hide the cleats from view. I will blend the junctions with the chisels and sanding.

118 close enough.jpg (444.33 KiB) Viewed 3564 times