Build a Gun/Trophy Case

A lockable display case can be used to store and display guns, trophies or treasured heirlooms. The case shown is made of walnut, one of the most beautiful woods, and a classic for this type of project. The walnut was grown on the author’s farm, harvested and air dried for about five years. The bottom doors are beautifully figured crotch walnut. Oak, pecan or cherry could also be used. The case is constructed in two parts, the bottom and the top sections, and the two fastened together. The top display portion has a keyed lock. You may wish to lock the bottom as well. The top portion is designed to store and display long guns, the bottom for ammunition and accessories. The case shown also features a locking storage vault anchored to the inside. This can be used to store and protect a handgun or other valuables.

Included is a GunVault Mini Vault that features a computer-operated, touch-control panel that opens the spring-loaded vault door in seconds at a touch of your fingers in your own private security code. The Auto Lock protects children and defeats intruders. The GunVault is battery powered, also comes with backup key. (www.gunvault.com)

Although the construction appears to be classic casework, new techniques and tools make it much easier to build. Techniques include biscuit joinery as well as the Kreg Pocket-Hole system and a new Raised Panel Door System from Woodline USA.

Left: First step in construction is to surface plane all pieces that are to be joined to the same thickness.

Right: Create Wide boards by using a biscuit joiner to cut slots for the biscuits.

Because several “wide” boards are needed, first step in construction is to plane all rough wood to the same dimension, in this case 3/4 inch. This makes final sanding and smoothing of the glued-up boards much easier. Surfaced boards can also be purchased. You will still need to joint one edge smooth in order to rip to the sizes needed. This can be done on a jointer or with a hand-held power planer, such as the Ridgid cordless.

Left: Install biscuits and glue and clamp boards using Titebond Dark Wood Glue.

Right: Use a belt sander or drum sander to remove squeezed out glue and smooth the joints.

Beginning with the bottom section, rough cut the boards to length and width to make up the sides. Lay all boards for one side on a smooth flat surface and mark across their face edges for the biscuits. Letter or number the boards with the same number or letter on joining edges. This makes it easier to assemble when gluing up. Set the biscuit joiner to half the thickness of the boards and cut the biscuits.

Left: Then progressively, use finer grits of sandpaper to smooth all boards.

Right: Kreg Pocket-Hole techniques make it easy to assemble the case, beginning with the face frame for the bottom section. Bore the holes in the uprights.

Place newspaper on a workbench top or other smooth flat surface. Position the clamps in place and lay the boards down on the clamps, making sure they align properly. Then, beginning with one board, place glue in the biscuit holes. In this case Titebond Dark Wood Glue was used to go with the dark walnut. Place biscuits in the holes. Place glue in the biscuit holes of the board edge as well as on the joining edge. Continue gluing and adding biscuits until all boards are ready to clamp.

Make sure all face frames and doors are assembled square.

Beginning at each end, pull the boards together with the clamps, making sure the biscuits align. Also make sure all four corners of the glued-up board are down flat on the clamps. Then add clamps between the two end clamps until a bit of glue is squeezed out along the entire joint lines. Allow to dry overnight.

Glue and clamp the face frame pieces together, making sure the assenbly is square, and then install pocket-hole-screws.

Cut rabbets in the rear of the bottom section sides for the back.

The front face frame of the bottom cabinet is assembled as one piece, and then fastened to the sides. In classic construction, this would be joined with mortise-and-tenon joints. A faster and simpler method is to use pocket-hole joints with screws and glue. Place an end of the uprights in the pocket-hole jig and bore holes. Bore holes in the opposite end, and then repeat for all uprights. Place the pieces on a set of clamps, place glue on the ends of the uprights and clamp together. Use a carpenter’s square to make sure the assembly is square and all corners are down snug on the clamps. Then fasten solidly together with Kreg hardwood screws. Allow to set overnight.