suggestions? re: door design/material for knife display

[LibertyKeeper]

My 37x17" wooden knife display (which hangs on a wall next to my desk in my office/shop) is in need of a door of some sort.

It's a bit dusty in my shop and I'm thinking a door will help keep the small collection a bit cleaner

Glass or Plexiglas? Open from side? Top or bottom? Split in middle and open out each way from middle?

Other ideas?

Considerations

- the door is not for security... Just to keep dust and dirt off the knives as much as possbile
- I want to see through it (no opaque doors)
- I want to open it easily (no Velcro or difficult-to-open methods)
- and... I'm not a woodworker nor craftsman... I need the design to be simple

Thoughts welcome!

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[Beavertail]

I think I'd go with plexiglass.
You can make a simple frame from small stock attach the plexiglass and use a piano hinge for attachment.
Hope this helps, I'm not much of a woodworker either.

[Rdubya21]

I agree. Plexiglass would be easiest

[LibertyKeeper]

Thx and that what I was thinking (Plexiglas)

They even make clear acrylic piano hinges (just saw those online) that might work

If course, brass piano hinges might look good too

I was thinking I could even get away with no frame on the plexiglas... TBD

[jerryd6818]

Piano hinge install. Maybe you should consider an exterior mount for the hinge. I think it's simpler to install. This guy's no expert either but at least his hands are connected to his arms. I would suggest a magnetic latch. Simple and easy install is the word of the day.

[LibertyKeeper]

Thank you!

[Froe]

I agree with piano hinge and a magnetic catch. But I find glass easier to maintain.
Froe

[LibertyKeeper]

I agree with piano hinge and a magnetic catch. But I find glass easier to maintain.
Froe

I am mostly concerned about the weight of the glass ... That's why I'm leaning toward Plexiglas. Glass is certainly easier to clean

[Ripster]

I agree with piano hinge and a magnetic catch. But I find glass easier to maintain.
Froe

I am mostly concerned about the weight of the glass ... That's why I'm leaning toward Plexiglas. Glass is certainly easier to clean

The weight of the knives is more of a concern at my end . The doors we do have safety glass in them and isn’t much heavier than plexiglass . Use 2 or 3 Smaller hinges and would recommend a latch not magnet . Some of the magnets have a strong attraction to each other and have replaced a few for friends. Will send a couple of pics of 2 that bought from Hobby Lobby . The one with the 72 s in it had mag but put a latch on it ,the other one the mag is strong ,so will put latch on this one this winter.
Hope this helps .

[kootenay joe]

Ripster, those are very attractive display cases you have made !
kj

[Ripster]

Ripster, those are very attractive display cases you have made !
kj

Thank you Roland . They are a work in progress yet . Thought they may help Liberty Keeper with some feedback and a few pics . Need to get a couple a inch or 2 deeper this winter then fill em up .
Take care out there

[Froe]

Filling is more fun!

[eveled]

Cut 2 pieces of aluminum angle stock mount them to the top and bottom over hanging enough to make tracks for the plexiglass to slide in. If you wanted to go an extra step. Put felt on the wood edges to stop the wood from scratching the plexiglass and to seal out dust better.

Was that shelf designed for holding spools of thread?

[LibertyKeeper]

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Cut 2 pieces of aluminum angle stock mount them to the top and bottom over hanging enough to make tracks for the plexiglass to slide in. If you wanted to go an extra step. Put felt on the wood edges to stop the wood from scratching the plexiglass and to seal out dust better.

Was that shelf designed for holding spools of thread?

I specifically designed and built the display to hold knives (to be mounted on a wall)

However, the six cross pieces of wood with the embedded small dowel rods were removed from a different display... that was, indeed, a thread display. I dissasembled that thread display and repurposed the rows with the dowel rods.

I built the back and sides of the knife display, affixed the rows with the rods, and aged all the wood with a dissolved mixture of vinegar and steel wool. Then also used some minwax grey stain

The idea about sliding the plexiglas in is a good idea

However... Because sit next to this wall display at my desk... I'm always handlng the knives and have decided to put basic lightweight door that opens easily so I can access the knives