Knife Display Case - WIP

[Brokenolmarine]

Moved the table out and took down the picture, cleared the wall and marked the eyeline.  Measured up 8" from that, and down.  Careful measurement of the back of the display case let me mark the height of the top cleat on the wall.  Using a level, I marked a reference line for it's installation.  Using a stud finder, I marked the position of the studs in the wall, and holding the cleat up, I transferred the info onto the cleat.  I took my time, and double checked the work.  I did the same with the two lower (one foot) cleats, marking the location of the stud that fell on the right hand cleat, and the lack of studs on the left hand cleat.

I took the cleats to the shop, and using  the 6' metal ruler, laid out the location of the holes to be countersunk and drilled, and CAREFULLY determined which would be into studs.  THOSE didn't need countersunk due to screw type.  Got the countersink done, then drilled thru them all.

The cleats HAVE to sit flush against the wall, so I cleaned up the slight blowout on the back.  I could have avoided blowout with a scrap backer, but I wasn't worried about the looks.

[Brokenolmarine]

Okay, here we go, time to get 'er done.  I used two screws in the studs to temporarily mount the cleat, then an awl to mark ALL the hole locations.  Took the cleat back down and set the wall anchors where needed.  THEN put the cleat back in place and mounted it.  Worked as planned, she's up there.

With the case hanging on the cleat, I could slip both the bottom cleats in, and mark their location from the side, then take it all down and mark the holes for mounting, and repeat the process.  All the cleats got screwed in place and we are solid.  Looks good.  I added the trim to hide the cleats.

A closer look

The project is done, the book is closed.  Time for a nap.
I am really happy with the way it came together. 

 

[fredk]

Most very excellent

[DieselTech]

Very nice! Looks Great. 

[Gezzer]

Very very nice !!!!!!!  I love how you bring us along step by step .  Again WELL DONE 

[Mablung]

I’ve read this whole thread with great interest. Fantastic work, and a very neat project. That looks delightful: fits the aesthetic of that display area perfectly and shows off the knives perfectly. Excellent work. As I’ve read the steps and description of the creation of the case, I’ve thought over and over, “This is so cool.”

Edited October 21, 2024 by Mablung

[Brokenolmarine]

Thanks all.  Now to decide on the sword display.

[Brokenolmarine]

By the way, a special thanks to DoogMeister for suggesting the French Cleats.  As I said in the thread, I had known about them in the past, but my anesthesia erased memory had forgotten them.  PERFECT solution for hanging this Display Case.

 

 

[JH837]

Stunning work you did I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post seeing it all come together so wonderfully! Great job this is an Amazing case! I love your knives as well!!!!!

[AlZilla]

Nice work! I was wondering how you were going to get the bottom cleats as perfect as they need to be.

[leatherfarms]

Awesome Job! I learned a lot by following this thread!!!

Thank you for keeping us posted as you went along!

 

[Brokenolmarine]

One last set of pictures....

I put some trim on the sides of the display case with the for the sole purpose of hiding the cleats from view.  I didn't think they would be that noticeable as you came in the door but they really grabbed your attention first thing.  The trim matched the case very well and blended right in and was hardly noticeable. THAT was my intent.  I installed it with two sided tape yesterday, just to see how it looked.  I brought the compressor and pinner in today and tacked it in place.  Turned out well.

The last pic is this one.  I spent Sunday working in the shop as well... but as a maid.  I did some detail cleaning on the benches, tables, and the rest.  Picking up and sweeping up, putting away small items left out and throwing away trash.  Then I moved some roll around tool away from the wall to sweep and discovered some mice had chewed into the spray foam.  I used Tina's miracle bug spray and went around the shop and sprayed a wide stream around the perimeter.  This morning I found a large number of the beetles that plague Oklahoma and one mouse.  I repeated the spray pattern.

Shop looks nice now, so I guess it's time to start another knife project.  A stag hunter I think, then the sheath.

[Cattleman]

Absolutely beautiful work! Knives, wood, leather.... Is there anything you DON'T do??? Lol

[DoogMeister]

Looks great!  Glad the French Cleats worked for you.  Great job with the detail of your project.  Thank you for all the work you spent sharing it with us.

[JDFred]

Turned out beautifully!  Even the shop looks good after you got done with it.

[Meelis]

Looks very nice

[sportycliff]

Great job!

Thanks for the story, my timing finding it was perfect.

I got to read and see it all at once.

[blue duck]

Great job. No one seems to think a project like this should take as long as it does. Tictok etc. makes you think it can be done in a few minutes. Thanks for post.

 

 

[chuck123wapati]

excellent job indeed!!

 

[bladegrinder]

That came out looking great, you should be proud of that piece!

[MedusaOblongata]

This thread should be stickied/pinned as an example of the level of attention to detail required to turn a project into a work of art.