Veterans flag display case

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My dad passed away in July (he was 88 years of age) and my brother has Dad's veteran's flag from the funeral.  I would like to build a display case for it and am looking for ideas.  In particular, I was thinking of having a drawer or compartment in the base where we could place his dog tags, and other small items that we have found.  He always encouraged me with my woodworking and so I want to make sure I make this one of my very best projects.  I've googled and have done some searches, but thought I would check in with my friends here for help.  Thank you.

39 Replies

im all for the traditional triagular case myself. i feel a case should not over shadow the meaning behind the flag. but i like your idea of the drawer the case would sit upon. sorry for your loss barb, my condolences to you and your family.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

im all for the traditional triagular case myself. i feel a case should not over shadow the meaning behind the flag. but i like your idea of the drawer the case would sit upon. sorry for your loss barb, my condolences to you and your family.
Thank you. 
I agree with a simple design.  I think a base with a drawer would maintain that - just need to work out how to get the right proportions.
im sure someone here could help you with the size. ive seen many done on lumberjocks. you can probably find a you tube video on how to make one ?

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Sorry for your loss Barb.

You could size it for the flag folded properly, then extend the side pieces a tad bit, to allow for a small shallow drawer on the bottom. If you could make the ends of the drawer at the same angle of the flag case. Just a thought.  

Main Street to the Mountains

Thank you Eric.

That's a design I hadn't considered.  The drawer would be more of a challenge.  Would maybe look neat to have his name on the drawer front.
Your welcome Barb. 

Thinking about it more, make the drawer sides square and add a front after that follows the shape of the flag case. The Name would be a very nice touch. Maybe include the branch of service and years. That could just be a Brass plate engraved.

Main Street to the Mountains

Fitting in a square drawer would likely be easier.  I'm already thinking how to make the triangle case so the joints are tight (likely challenging as I've only done mitered corners on frames).   
i agree about a nice brass name plate giving his name and years of service. that would be very befitting barb.

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

If you can get the angles you could add splines of a contrasting wood in the corners. Maybe use a sled on the table saw with a fence attached to, that would allow you to get a good miter.

Main Street to the Mountains

Barb

Very sorry for your loss. These guys mean a lot to me.

I built a jig for doing the splines.  Simple if you need help just message I think i moved it here from LJ.

The base idea is a good one.  I think a box under the triangle .

I'd be glad to help.


Petey

Thanks for the added comments Pottz and Eric

Petey - thank you.  I'll look for the spline jig.  I think splines would be a good idea, as Eric also noted, to give some added strength.  

Dumb question - how do I figure out the angles for the triangle part.  🤷‍♀️
The top is 90* which makes the cut angle 45*
The two bottom angles are 135* which makes the cut angle 67.5*

That is if I did my math right.

Main Street to the Mountains

Well, now I'm worried how to make those cuts (do I need a tenon jig?)
 https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/making-memorial-flag-case/


I see I was off on the angles.

Easy way to cut the angles on a table saw, if you have a sled attach a simple fence to it to cut the 45* and another fence attached to cut the 22.5* angle.  

I build a wedgie sled last year and I find myself using it for other angles for other projects other than lathe work.

Main Street to the Mountains

Going to have to look into a sled I think as doing the 45s on the long edge (??is that called a bevel cut?) hasn't gone that smoothly for me in the past.  Last time I used my track saw and then cleaned up at the table saw.  I see a practice case before I try it with better wood.
Prototypes are always a good thing. More so when angles are involved.

When I am building something, I will use some of the drops to test the setup like cutting rabbets on the table saw or over at the router the check and see if its set correctly.

This is a little overboard for a sled but it serves my use.




Main Street to the Mountains

dont stress it barb someone here will get you through it !

working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

Barb

I use a tenon jig for the base angles.


Petey

Barb,

I use a tenon jig on the table saw to cut the base angles.  22.5 degrees.  My spline jig works at both 45 and 22.5 degrees (I made an incert) to the 45 degree jig.


Petey