I want to make a new tri-angle veterans flag box

It’s a flag display case, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with building a new one.

I found a few examples on the Internet (http://www.united-states-flag.com/displaycases.html). I would imagine that finding plans would not be difficult.

-- Michael T, Pittsburgh, PA

About a month ago this project was posted http://lumberjocks.com/projects/68741

I’m sure Bob would be happy to help with dimensions or resources.

I can’t imagine there would be an ethical problem providing a nicer cabinet for the flag.

-- John

I always think things can be fixed

It would be nice to keep the box as

it is part of your family history.

It could have brass plates put on the

corners and brass is easily worked.

Take it apart and try and flatten it.

Put your name and restoration date on

the inside. Alternately used the existing

timber laminated to new timber.

I think this treatment of the flag by

Americans is such a wonderful tradition.

I would like to see the final project either

way

jamie

-- Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though 'twere his own. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Maybe I could make a display case to keep the original display case in. After all the case is half of the memorabilia.

-- I'm a twisted 2x4 in a pile of straight lumber.

Brilliant idea to keep the original display case. It is keeping the legacy alive.

Woodsmith Magazine has a very nice flag display table in issue #201. Very good looking with brass trim. the dipsplay case can also be stand alone.

-- I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

Rough Cut with Tommy Mac did an episode on this a while back, you could probably find his plan there. As far as tossing the old case goes, don’t sweat it-the honor is in the flag, not the case it is stored in (excluding any sentimental value of course).

You can see two different flag cases I have made here and here

The dimensions of the box are a function of the size of flag that you have but there are several different standard flag sizes so you need to make sure that you build the correct size box for the flag you have.

I like the idea of first trying to restore the original case but if it is warped or twisted, I think that you will find it very difficult to repair because the it’s already been cut to final sizing and you can’t re-dimension it to flatten the wood because then your box won’t be correctly sized for a proper fold of the flag.

They’re not complex to make but cutting the angles exactly for nice tight fitting miter joints can be challenging. Adding splines to the miter joints will help to keep them from coming apart again in the future.

-- Greg, Severn MD

Those are incredible!

I’m thinking that I should put this project off until I master bird house building.

-- I'm a twisted 2x4 in a pile of straight lumber.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that you should put it off Emma. Making flag boxes are good skill building projects and they don’t require a huge investment in either a lot of lumber or specialized machines. Don’t try your first one with expensive exotic hardwoods but they don’t have to be because you’re trying to highlight the flag rather than the box. Go ahead and give it a shot. Even in the worst case, you’ll come away having learned some things about technique without a major investment in material.

-- Greg, Severn MD

Sawdust4blood:
I guess if I screw it up it’s not going to be the end of great, great grandpa’s flag. I can always put it back in it’s old case again and try again later.

edit:
Why doesn’t this forum have a quote function?

-- I'm a twisted 2x4 in a pile of straight lumber.

a dignified end to a noble cause

-- "Good artists borrow, great artists steal”…..Picasso

Moron: [a dignified end to a noble cause]

I have no idea what that means.

-- I'm a twisted 2x4 in a pile of straight lumber.

Give it a shot and good luck. If you run into any areas that give you problems, feel free to give me a shout or there are hundreds of folks here that know more than me who will also be willing to help you work through it.

-- Greg, Severn MD

First – no it is not un-patriotic to re-box the flag.
The case is relatively easy – I’ve made several.
The top miter is a simple 45-degree, and the two bottom ones are basic 22.5-degree.
I’ve made them with the glass daddoed in, and with “oversized” facing to hold it in. Both are pretty straighforward, though the oversized facing is easier to finish.
The back is basic rabbet with 1/4” ply.
One key thing though – finish the inside with poly or like finish as acid in wood can rot flag.

-- Shameless - Winner of two Stumpy Nubs Awards