Display Cabinet From Stuff That Was Going to Be Thrown Away

Over the years I have collected and built quite a few models, Meccano (and its various knockoffs), Lego, ROKR/Robotime/Woodtrick, Airfix/Tamiya etc.

Slowly I have used up most of the available shelf space both in the house and garage and my wife was understandably getting a bit fed up with the dust traps.

So time to build a display case.

Apart from the framework, this is made from discarded items, mainly obtained from a refurb at work.

Supplies

My work was updating all the photos in the lobby and corridors, and were going to throw away all the picture frames.

These were 900mm x 1200mm with Perspex "glass" and backed with MDF and a Burgundy cloth

So I asked if I could have them, there were 9 of them (Picture above of 3)

I also needed some 2x2 machine gauged timber for the frame (5 x 2.8m and 6 x 1.8m) - Unfortunately I had to buy this with actual money (I nearly cried!)

Some hinges (which were rescued when we changed some outside doors at work)

Handles and Magnetic door catches, again bought

Screws, Rawlplugs etc from my stack of fixings I have sitting in my shed

TOOLS

Drill and bits

Driver

Circular Saw

Table Saw

Staple Gun

Hand Router/Trimmer

Rule

Pen/Pencil

Step 1: Fixing the Perspex in the Frame

Originally the perspex was held in the frame by an MDF backing board which was covered with cloth and stapled into the frame.

As I wanted to be able to see through I needed some way to hold the perspex in without this.

I decided that the best way would be to use Silicon Sealant around the frame recess and stick the perspex in the frame.

These were then put aside to dry/cure.

Step 2: The Framework (front Frame)

Using a few of the frames I laid out my 2x2 machined gauged timber on the garage floor to get my frame dimensions.

I used 6 frames to give me an overall dimension of 3.6m x 1,8m (that's about 12 x 6 feet)

Step 3: Marking Out and Joints

I marked where the frame edges fell allowing me to make Half Lap joints where needed

Step 4: Screw the Frame Together

Once I was happy with my frame layout I screwed it all together, There are Butt Joints at the extremities, the half lap joints will be screwed together later when assembled to the back

Step 5: Rear Frame

The Rear Frame was made in the same fashion but has added shelf supports screwed from the back.

When making this I laid it on top of the front frame to ensure they were both the same size.

The total depth will be 400mm.

Step 6: Dais

I didn't want the frames to sit directly on the floor, as this could cause issues with opening the doors if there is any debris on the floor, so I needed a dais for the frame to sit on.

I had some lengths of rough sawn 6x2 from a dismantled workbench and cut a 1 inch chamfer on one side on my table saw so it looked less chunky.

This was then laid on the garage floor and the frame assembled in situ

Step 7: Frame Assembly and Ends

Once I assembled the frame completely I needed to make the end windows.

This was done by cutting a picture frame up and reassembling to make four 400mm wide frames

Once complete I could "glaze" them and attach to the ends.

Up to this point the frame was "free standing" as I needed access to the end to attach the end pieces.

It could now be correctly positioned and screwed to the wall with wall anchors and to the Dais.

Step 8: Base/Bottom Shelf

I used the MDF backing and backing cloth from 3 of the frames to make a bottom shelf.

First I cut down the MDF using a circular saw to a couple of mm smaller than the bottom recess, I then wrapped the MDF with the Burgundy cloth (which I reversed as one side was very faded, the cloth was then stapled on using my electric stapler and the shelves dropped in position.

Step 9: The Front

The centre 2 sections were screw into position (they will be accessed from either side)

I then marked out and routed, using my trimmer router, a recess for the hinges so that the doors would sit flat when finally hung. The hinges were from heavy outside fire doors that had been replaced at work, so again FREE

Attaching the doors was a bit of a mission as trying to hold the frame in the correct position while accurately driving screws in isn't the easiest task! Still got it done

Step 10: Door Furniture

I bought 4 handles and 4 magnetic door catches to round the job off, I also put a bit of trim around the top (remainder of the picture frames) to neaten the job up.

Step 11: And in Use

I bought some tempered glass shelves from TradeMe 2 large and 6 small (from a coffee table) and put in supports for them (40x40mm wood screwed in place) Then I put some of my "toys" in.

Happy wife, Happy life (or Happy Spouse, Happy House!)