Nancy DaytonButler
08-18-2010, 9:30 PM
While I've been "lurking" for several years, this is my first request for serious help. I have been tasked by my husband to build a display case for his 87 year old living father. I started the basic case today and so far it's 3 1/2" x 17 1/2" x 28" purpleheart with dovetail joints. I'm housing 4 purple hearts, a silver star, 2 bronze starts, his rank insignia, about 18 more medals, badges and ribbons - hence its large size. Hubby also wanted a picture in uniform and had a brass plate made. I am severely design challenged! Now, the questions:
1. What, if anything, would you propose for an edge treatment? Roundover, chamfer...???
2. My tentative plan is to use a foam board covered in "infantry blue" velvet and to dado it in at an angle so that the medals will hang firmly against it. Do you foresee any problems with that idea?
3. I've researched this forum and case retailers for ideas on how to actually mount the medals. Thus far I think if I stick with 3/16" foam board, I'll be able to just use the stick-pins on some of the ribbons, but I can't imagine hot gluing 60+ year old medals and badges. Any ideas?
4. My thought is to run a dado approx. 5/8" inside the front edge for glass. I would guess I should get UV glass but welcome suggestions.
5. There is also a stack of newspapers clippings, a letter of commendation for the national merit of honor medal, etc. I would like to be able to include those with the case but still have them accessible. I'm thinking about dadoing a groove in the back, insetting a piece of 3/16" ply and using rare earth magnets so that the back can be removed to get to the articles. Any better ideas?
6. I don't know how to attach the whole thing to the wall...
7. I'd really like to maintain the color of the wood as it is now. Any suggestions for a finish that would keep it from browning?
I know this is a really long post but cut me some slack, I have more tools than talent. :o Thanks for any help you can give.
Nan
1. What, if anything, would you propose for an edge treatment? Roundover, chamfer...???
2. My tentative plan is to use a foam board covered in "infantry blue" velvet and to dado it in at an angle so that the medals will hang firmly against it. Do you foresee any problems with that idea?
3. I've researched this forum and case retailers for ideas on how to actually mount the medals. Thus far I think if I stick with 3/16" foam board, I'll be able to just use the stick-pins on some of the ribbons, but I can't imagine hot gluing 60+ year old medals and badges. Any ideas?
4. My thought is to run a dado approx. 5/8" inside the front edge for glass. I would guess I should get UV glass but welcome suggestions.
5. There is also a stack of newspapers clippings, a letter of commendation for the national merit of honor medal, etc. I would like to be able to include those with the case but still have them accessible. I'm thinking about dadoing a groove in the back, insetting a piece of 3/16" ply and using rare earth magnets so that the back can be removed to get to the articles. Any better ideas?
6. I don't know how to attach the whole thing to the wall...
7. I'd really like to maintain the color of the wood as it is now. Any suggestions for a finish that would keep it from browning?
I know this is a really long post but cut me some slack, I have more tools than talent. :o Thanks for any help you can give.
Nan