Project by SubVette | posted 03-06-2014 01:51 PM | 2427 views | 0 times favorited | 8 comments | ![]() |
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I wanted to display my dad’s prewar trains, so I decided to build some shadow boxes out of poplar wood. I first had to select the lighter shades as some were green. I say this because I started this project in Virginia and then moved to Florida. This is important because I made all the cuts on a friends table saw in the winter time, and then decided to put it all together once i moved to Florida which was a few months later. Consequently it was much warmer and the wood had taken on a mind of its own. Luckily I cut enough that I could use the good straight pieces before assembling. My first lesson learned, always cut extra. I decided to build these boxes without any nails, just wood pegs. I included a picture of the side so you can see the pegs. I probably could have tried to hide them better with plugs, but I wanted to get the trains on display. I decided to keep the inside natural and clear so the color of the trains would stand out. The boxes are 30”x24”. I made three of them. I also routed out the trim using to different router bits to add interest to the front and routed out a groove in the back to hold the glass. I rabbited the inside and had the glass cut to fit. The back is clear pine and I dado cut the back so it would fit in. Stain was Dark Cherry. Hope you enjoy.
Total cost was about 100 dollars total for wood, glass and hinges.
-- John in Florida
8 comments so far
PaulDoug
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2678 posts in 3153 days
#1 posted 03-06-2014 02:11 PM
Nice job. So the whole front opens?
-- “We all die. The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will.” - Chuck Palahniuk
SubVette
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#2 posted 03-06-2014 02:24 PM
Yes, the whole front opens. I wanted to be able to run the train’s as well. I will probablly have to add some locks in the future to keep little hands out.
-- John in Florida
HillbillyShooter
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#3 posted 03-06-2014 04:44 PM
Very nicely done—great way to honor your father and proudly display a hansom train set.
-- John C. -- "Firearms are second only to the Constitution in importance; they are the peoples' liberty's teeth." George Washington
Ivan
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#4 posted 03-06-2014 05:55 PM
Verry good, I have to do something for kids sport medals.
-- Ivan, Croatia, Wooddicted
Northwest29
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#5 posted 03-06-2014 07:56 PM
What a super idea and very well done. I have an oldie myself down in the basement that this would be perfect for. It is a circa 1955 steam engine with cars and this would be just perfect. Thanks for the idea and inspiration. I presume the front frame hinges at the top? Did you use a piano type hinge?
-- Ron, "Curiosity is a terrible thing to waste."
SubVette
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202 posts in 2995 days
#6 posted 03-06-2014 08:11 PM
Yes it hinges at the top. I used a piano hinge.
-- John in Florida
scarpenter002
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#7 posted 03-08-2014 03:21 AM
Very nice job, though I must say I am more fond of what is behind the glass. :-)
-- Scott in Texas
Fishinbo
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#8 posted 03-13-2014 01:30 PM
Great job on that display box, very well made and like the use of pegs and dark finish. The awesome train collection deserves a beautiful home.
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