new heer shadowbox display featuring dagger..

[BROBS]

Made this display box out of a regular 20x20" shadowbox from Hobby Lobby.
(on sale now for $25!)
I used "Axel Pegs" (woodworking item) by drilling holes through the back of the board, and they are held by the pressure of the hole (hole drilled slightly smaller).
Hanger is held by "L" hooks dipped in black plasti-dip.

I feel I have a more "directed" display by doing only Heer in this one.
Hopefully soon I will have a similar Luft display.
my only problem is the black wound badge disappears on the black background... however in person you can see it much better.

I will be building a larger cabinet for my field gear/headwear/etc soon, but working on re-doing our whole house comes first.


opinions welcome!

[tanker]

Nice looking display! What is the maker on the army? Ron

[BROBS]

dagger is Holler.

thanks!

[coloradocowboy]

turned out really nice. Congrats!

[BROBS]

thanks Cowboy..
I really appreciate the deal on the dagger!

[SCOTT G]

Great job on the shadow box Brian.....only thing could I suggest blackening the 'axel pegs' ....this confirms you'll have no problems on the decal project

[BROBS]

I thought about making them black but I worried about paint damaging the finish over time? these are simply unfinished hardwood...

I may paint them.. any suggestion on a safe paint?

I was going to "plasti-dip" them but then they wouldn't have fit through the tight holes on the back board.

[SCOTT G]

Rubber heat shrink tubing "avalible any electrical store" slipped over top and then black maker pen the ends

Or better still 9mm shell casing glued over top....or what ever calibure you prefer or have lying around

[BROBS]

hey now I like the shell idea! I wonder if I could find some TR casings?

[kiwitedferny]

That is a really nice job! Well done. I may just have to steal this idea from you....in fact, I'm going to!

[BROBS]

Go for it! Very easy to do.

I will snap some pics tonight showing the pegs etc... (someone else requested pics)

[ddbinks]

Nice display Brian!! Love the dagger. I'm glad I got to provide you with your first EK2 I like how you coordinated it with the ribbon bar. I can see you're on your way to acquiring a very nice collection and a tasteful display!

Regards,
Eric

[BROBS]

Thanks Eric! I hope to find a westwall mini medal as I can tell this medal bar had one that was removed... then it will co-ordinate even better.

I also hope to get some more items for the display, but one step at a time.

I have been asked for details on how I did the mounting...

Here are some photos of the items I used to make the mounting in the shadowbox. This particular box has a fiberboard backboard, covered in foam, then black velvet-y fabric.
It is a 20"x20" shadowbox from Hobby Lobby if you are looking for the exact same model. It's plenty deep inside to hold the dagger, or even something thicker.

These are the axel pegs:


These are the "L" hooks:


Closeup of "L" hooks dipped in "plasti dip" http://www.plastidip.com:


For the mounting of the Axel Pegs, I simply drilled a hole that was smaller than the diameter of the small part of the peg, I used an 11/64" drill bit.. then "hogged" out the hole a little bit. Took some pressure to push them through and I did so from the backside of the board. The "lip" on the pegs holds them straight against the backboard so they don't sag/etc.


....and that is it. I may do the shrink wrap tubing on the pegs and paint the ends black... at least until I see if I can find some TR shell casings to put over the pegs.

any questions feel free to ask!

EDIT: I was asked by the same person how I attached the medals so solid to the board and got everything straight etc...
maybe this will benefit someone else as well.. (I sent to person via PM)
there is a 1/4" layer of foam behind the fabric...
to attach the medals I use pins through the ribbons that can't be seen from straight on.. they are plain straight pins with tiny heads like you would use when sewing. to get them straight it sometimes takes a few tries. I hold them in place.. then flip them back (as board lays flat).. then pin them and flip them back and stand the board up to see how they hang. if I don't like it I re-do it.

for things like the panzer skulls and badges, I cut a tiny slit with the end of a knife and insert them into the foam backing.
for the badges with pins and latches.. I put the pin in the backing, and use a straight pin to hold the catch where I want it (so the badge doesn't sway from side to side).

for the belt buckle.. I bent straight pins at a 90 degree angle.. and inserted them upward into the backboard. this leaves the ends sticking straight out, and I can hang the buckle off them.

[Mark Broughton]

Very nice job on the shadowbox. The dagger and medals are layed out great with room for more.
Mark

[BROBS]

ha.. well I am a graphic designer for a major athletic company, so use of space is a forté.