Custom Gun Cabinet

This project was a Christmas gift for my dad, and it was a labor of love that tested my skills and patience. It's a testament to the idea that a hand-built piece can be more meaningful and beautiful than anything you can buy in a store.

Project Overview

This project started when I identified the need that my dad didn't know he needed. We were discussing some work one of his firearms needed and he retrieved it from under the bed in the spare bedroom ... along with five other long guns.

Before I even touched a single piece of wood, the first step was to find plans for a great looking design while being functional for what I knew my dad needed. I had to ensure the cabinet was not only functional but also beautiful. The design had to be strong enough to hold the weight of eight rifles, yet elegant enough to be a piece of furniture that would fit in his home office.

Key Features & Details

Every detail was carefully considered to make this more than just a box for holding guns. The final result is a true reflection of the methodical work that went into it.

• Custom moldings to customize purchased plans.
• Stores 8 long guns (with and without telescopic sights).
• Slanted front enclosure for handgun or knife display.
• Bottom draw storage for ammunition or other items.
• Finished with a Early American stain to highlight the red oak wood grain.

The Unexpected Challenges

This project, as with any first-time furniture build, things didn't always go as planned. This part of the build is what makes the final product so much more rewarding.

• Inaccurate on my saws forced re-cutting several pieces after manually measuring the angles.
• Alignment of the slanted front door hinges to allow the door to seat fulling in the opening.
• The hinges for the heavy door required a lot of trial and error to get the alignment just right.