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Homemade Trophy Cases

Collectors and award winners often wish to display collectibles or trophies on the walls of their home. Unfortunately, the trophy cases available for purchase are not always the right size, and can be expensive. Making a display or trophy case can be a great solution for a competent woodworker. Display boxes for displaying jerseys, awards or banners and trophy cases for trophies and smaller memorabilia use the same basic method, although trophy cases are usually deeper and may contain shelves. This simple case is meant for items being placed on permanent display.

Things You'll Need

Wood screws
Mounting wire
1/4-inch finished plywood
2-by-1 solid wood strips or 1/2-inch finished plywood
High-heat black metal paint
Carpenter's square
Pencil
Wood glue
Polycrylic finish
Saw
Fine-grit sandpaper
Philips-head screwdriver or electric screwdriver
Utility knife
Picture frame or acrylic glass

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the size for the case. Examine the item or items you wish to display in the case. Determine how tall and wide the case will be, and if you will include a shelf. One or two shelves is the maximum advised for a wall-mounted trophy case. Side walls should be 1/4 inch deeper than the shelves. For the easiest finish, plan a finished size the same size as a standard picture frame.
- 2
  Measure and mark the backing board. Use the 1/4-inch plywood for the back of the box, adding 1/2 inch all around the width of the edging. Use a square to mark the wood. Measure again.
- 3
  Measure the edge boards. Make the sides 1/2 inch shorter than the ends. For a thin display case, use the 1/2-inch strips. For a deeper trophy case, use the 1/2-inch plywood. Mark the length and depth; mark carefully. Measure again. If you are going to have shelves, measure and cut them. Make the shelves 1 inch narrower than the top and bottom pieces to allow for edging.
- 4
  Cut the wood, carefully following the lines. Use an electric circular saw for the cleanest cuts.
- 5
  Construct the frame. Place the side edges down, finished sides out. Butt the top and bottom pieces against them, finished sides out. Use screws to attach from the top and the bottom. If you are using shelves, put them in place now, attaching through the sides with screws.
- 6
  Attach the backboard. Use wood glue and small wood screws along each side to securely attach the backboard.
- 7
  Sand all cut edges smooth using the fine-grit sandpaper. Lightly sand the finished sides of the boards.
- 8
  Paint all sides, the inside, and the back of the case, using the high-heat black metal paint. Allow to dry, and repeat until the color is to your taste. Once the black is completely dry, finish with one or two coats of polycrylic finish.
- 9
  Add the front. If you have made the case in a size to fit a standard photo frame, then it's easy and attractive to finish the case. Remove all backing from the frame. After adding trophies or memorabilia to the case, carefully attach the frame to the case with four small screws. Dab the screws with black paint. If the case will not fit a frame, purchase acrylic glass cut to fit. Screw it into place. Construct a frame with thin molding, mitering the corners. Paint to match the case, then glue over the Plexiglas.
- 10
  Purchase acrylic glass cut to fit your case if the case will not fit a standard photo frame. Screw the acrylic glass into place. Construct a frame with thin molding, mitering the corners. Paint it to match the case, then glue it over the acrylic glass.
- 11
  Attaching mounting screws. Install two small screws to the top corners of the case. Wrap mounting wire securely around one screw, pull it taut, and then wrap it around the opposite screw. Tighten the screws.

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