Frame to Wall Display Case

Since I got my replica of Narsil, Isildur's sword I need a place to display it.
I had a spare ikea frame, so I decided to transform it into a display case.

Materials:

• The frame, Ikea ribba 50 x 70 cm.
• Two plywood boards 40 x 60 cm.
• Two pieces of red felt 40 x 60 cm.
• Ten small screws.
• White glue.
• The item to be displayed.

Tools:

• Pliers.
• Cutter.
• Screwdriver.
• Measuring tape.
• Fine wire.
• Ruler.

1. Remove the back panel of the frame and tear off the hooks that come with it.
2. Remove the protective plastic on both sides of the "glass".

3. Press the metal tabs against the glass with pliers to lock it in place.

When the two plywood boards are put together they measure 60 x 80 cm. They must be cut to measure 52.5 x 72.5 cm, which are the outer dimensions of the frame. I used a cutter for that.

From now on think of these two boards as one element. You can stick them with a little tape to make things easier.

Then, on the 52.5 x 72.5 cm board, lines must be marked at 0.5 cm and 1 cm from the edge.
The lines at 0.5 cm mark where you can place screws to fix the panel to the frame. The lines at 1 cm mark the inside of the frame.

I also made a smaller rectangle by making lines at 4.7 cm (on the short side of the board) and 5.5 cm (on the long side) of the 1cm line.

From one of the felt sheets, 4 strips of 3 cm wide, two strips of 5.5 cm and two strips of 4.7 cm must be taken out. All of the length of the long side of the felt. It is also a good idea to make little squares with the surplus to use as spacers when mounting an object in the display case.

I cut the felt with the cutter and a ruler, marking it only on the sides instead of dirtying it by making lines.

The first thing to do is to glue the uncut felt plate in the center of the board. For this was the rectangle of before.

Then the strips of 5.5 cm and 4.7 cm are also for the board. It is important to try to keep the separation in the felt so that the board is not visible.

The 3 cm strips are for the inside of the sides of the frame, also glued with white glue, but this time applying it to the felt instead of the wood. Be careful not to get the glass dirty.

Drill holes in the board, including those in the hooks. These holes will be used later to put screws and close the cabinet. They can be made anywhere on the line 0.5 cm from the edge of the board. I made 10 holes in total using a screw and a screwdriver. I also used the two hooks.

Using a screw or punch make some holes in the back of the board. The location of the holes depends on what you are going to put inside the display case and how you want to hold it.

Cut pieces of wire and twist one of the ends. Then put them through the holes from the back.
Put the little squares of felt on the wire to adjust the separation of your object from the bottom of the board.

Use the wire to hold the object you want to display in the showcase.

In my case I twisted the wire to put it back through the holes in the sword so that the tip was not seen.

To close the cabinet, place the board with the fixed object upside down on the frame (also upside down) and screw in the screws.
The frame is soft enough to use the screws without having to drill holes first. Remember to put the hooks in place.

The display case is finished. All that remains is to hang it up and enjoy it.