How to Build a Free Standing Large Wood Trophy Display Case

Large free-standing trophy display cases are found in offices, schools and the homes of accomplished athletes. They consist of wooden sidewalls and bases and glass shelves. Grooves cut in the wood usually support the shelves. They also have a glass front to view and protect the trophies. Display cases like these are not complicated in design; however, they will require some prior knowledge of woodworking. The project requires precise cuts and handling large sheets of glass.

Safety glasses
Tape measure
2 oak boards, 1-by-9-by-36-inches
2 oak boards, 1-by-8-by-70-inches
Oak plywood, 1/4-inch, 36-by-72-inches
Table saw, with fence and push stick
Dado blade, 1/4-inch
Drill
Drill bit, 3/32-inch
Drill bit, 3/8-inch
Screw gun
12 wood screws, 2 1/2-inch
24 wood screws, 1-inch
Sand paper, medium-grade, fine-grade
Tack cloth
Wood stain
4 glass sheets, 1/4-by-8-by-35-inches
Glass sheet, 1/4-by-36-by-71-inches

Instructions

- 1
  Position the fence on the table saw so it is ¾ inch away from the blade. Raise the blade 1/2 inch above the table and keep it in this position for the entire project. Run the 36-inch board across the blade while keeping its 36-inch edge against the fence. You will have a 1/4-wide and 1/2-inch-deep groove that is ¾ inch away from the 36-inch edge. Repeat this task with the other 36-inch board.
- 2
  Remove the fence from the table saw and run each 70-inch board perpendicularly across the blade four times using your push stick. Each board should have four 1/4-inch grooves spaced 11 1/4-inches apart with the two outside grooves 12 inches away from the ends of the boards.
- 3
  Set the 36-inch boards on edge, parallel, spaced 70 inches apart, with the grooves facing each other and 8 inches above the ground. Set the 70-inch boards perpendicularly between them so they're also on edge, 34 inches apart and with the grooves facing each other. Drill six 3/32-inch pilot holes through the 36-inch boards so three holes enter each end of the 70-inch boards. Drill a 1/4-inch-deep 3/8-inch hole into each pilot hole to hide the screw heads and screw the boards together using 12 2.5-inch screws.
- 4
  Turn the frame over and set the plywood on top of it so all of the edges are flush. Screw the plywood to the boards using all of the 1-inch screws spaced 9 inches apart. This is the back to your display case.
- 5
  Sand the display case using your medium-grade and fine-grade sand paper. Wipe the case down with the tack cloth, apply the wood stain and let it dry according to instructions.
- 6
  Stand the display case upright on one of the 36-inch boards. Slide the 35-inch glass sheets in the grooves provided between the 70-inch boards and slide the 71-inch glass sheet in the grooves provided between the 36-inch boards.

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