Woodworking Project in the Future

idsman75

Okay, I am gathering up my resources and ideas to figure out how to tackle the task of building my own gun display cabinet. I have never done much woodworking other than hammering a few nails and cutting some boards but I have a whole four days of vacation from Nov 9 - 12 and I figured that a small-scale project was in order. I know that there are people out here that will hammer ME for not buying a gun safe that will protect my firearms from the flames of hell itself and from the hands of thieves. However, I have made my choice so it stands. I have a few questions that I would invite display cabinet owners to answer to assist me in the process:1. Did you build your cabinet yourself or did you purchase it?2. What type of wood did you use and how did you finish that wood?3. After the main structure is complete, where would I purchase "ornate" glass panes for the doors (preferably frosted wildlife scenery)?

ironsites

I value my guns far too much to put them on display with glass doors for all to see and get to, but if you really want one I suggest you buy one. I work with wood a lot and built a gun cabinet years ago, and with all the many tools and experience I have, it took a week to do a good job. get a woodworking book to help you.

timberbeast

I combined the two. I have an out-building with 4 foot thick concrete walls. Why the previous owner did that, I have no idea. I put a four inch thick door on it, and it only looks like a tool shed, but I'll give you money if you can break in!! I have a gun cabinet inside made of maple, and finished with Watco Danish Oil, about 5 coats. Don't know about the decorative glass, but it's a lot cheaper if you have it done by laser. If you haven't built a cabinet before, it would take pages to instruct you. You can get plans from the Woodworker's Store, if they're still around, but I don't know if they have a website. You could try a search.Good luck!

idsman75

Thanks dano. Is dano II the one doing the pot stirring or is it you? I just want to know who deserves all of the wonderful credit. In the spirit (Lord knows I couldn't fill your shoes) of pot stirring, I posted something about auction sniping in a recent thread. Whichever one of you does the pot stirring deserves the credit for my inspiration. I think I'm going to get some books on the subject first. I have an uncle who is one hell of a woodworker and he probably has something up his sleeves (along with all of the necessary tools) that could aid me. His son (my cousin) lives a few hours away and also carries a bit of his father's talents. I could probably persuade him to bring a few pheasants to cook up for dinner and a few adult beverages and then make a weekend out of the project.

SXSMAN

If you must you must,try http://www.nicks.ca/u-cab.html or www.hawkins-hawkins.com Try searching for glass or gun cabinets.Good luck on your project.

BlueTic

Idsman75 - I built my safe out of stainless for in the closet - but I also built my wifes dinning room hutch. I used cut glass panels for the upper three cabnet doors. Any local glass retailer can make these for you to order - mine are 3/8" with a 1" bevel on the sides that bring the width down to 1/4" on the edges. The hutch took about 3 weekends plus evenings.My opinion only - the cut glass looks better without etching or use straight glass with etching. Price on cut glass will be quite a bit. I built the hutch out of knotty pine (fairly cheap, but selected) and the glass cost almost as much as the rest of the material - the three panels ar 1'sq and ran about $80.00.

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IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)

JB

A couple of ideas. Take a look at buying an antique wardrode ( Armroir) and then rework the doors and custom do the interior to fit you display. Also take a look at Lexan panels for the door glass. Unbreakable, clear, and can be etched or blasted ( local cemetery monument guy)