securing glass to a display case

[Andrew Fleck]

I'm currently scratching my head for ideas on how to attach glass to a display case I am about to make. The case lid for lack of a better term will look somewhat like the one in the attached photo and will function nearly the same way. So far I see that there are some type of clips in the photo that I assume are for holding the glass in the frame which looks like it has dadoes cut into it. I don't really like the clips because it looks like you would be able to see them when looking through the case. I have considered cutting dadoes in the top and then securing the glass with wood strips. Kind of like an old window. I'm just not sure how nice that method would look on a display case. I would also like the glass to be somewhat easy to replace if it were to ever break. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

[Robert Chapman]

I would inset the glass from the top and make the inset deep enough to place matching wood strips around the glass flush with the top. Cut 45 degree angles in the strips. Strips could be glued in. Not easy to replace so get shatter proof glass.

[Paul Murphy]

I think the method I use is the same Robert suggests. I first saw it in FWW, and it works well for me in glass doors.

Tony Konovaloff wrote about this method of making glass cabinet doors in FWW 116 pg 49. I think it would work in your application providing your frame has room for wood retainers.

Tony used a beveled wood strip predrilled with a #56 wire drill and secured with #18 brass escutcheon pins 5/8” long. You might be able to use #4 screws if your retainers are wide enough for them.

[Jamie Buxton]

Here's a recent thread on the topic -- http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?182151-Curio-Cabinet-Glass-question&highlight=glass

[George Bokros]

Freud has a bit for making glass doors that cut the same profile on both sides of the stiles and rails. Then you ripped one side away and used it for the glass stop installing with 22 ga pins.

Here is a link to it on their website.

http://freudtools.com/p-118-recoverable-bead-glass-door-bit-sets.aspx

George

[Andrew Fleck]

Thanks for the replies. I think I may go with the woods strips from the top. Your right about the tempered glass. It would take quite a bit to break that from the top.

[Tom Ewell]

I use this bit
http://freudtools.com/p-126-glass-panel-cabinet-door-bit-set.aspx

along with this spline
http://www.leevalley.com/US/hardware/page.aspx?p=46574&cat=3,44296

[Lee Schierer]

The rubber glass stripping sold by Rockler works very well and looks good. 253690 It installs in a groove you cut in the wood. I've used it on several projects that had glass. Tempered glass is going to be thicker than regular single strength window glass. One thing to keep in mind is that tempered glass cannot be cut once it is tempered.......so make sure of your measurements before you order your glass. My suggestion would be to make the frame and then take it to the glass supplier and let them measure for the glass. That way if the piece doesn't fit, it won't be your problem. It may take several weeks to get your glass.