My optometrist is also a good friend of mine.  When Mike was in college at Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!), he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity.  The fraternity members are also known as FIJIs and their fraternity pin is in the shape of a diamond.  After graduation, Mike stayed with the fraternity serving in various capacities and currently serves as a regional offical.  He also collects FIJI pledge pins so he recently asked me to build a display case for him.  The walnut case will be split to create a lid and there will be a black velvet pad in the bottom.  The case is sitting in a stand but may be removed so that pins may be added or removed.  If yo're wondering about the odd angle which the case is sitting, there is a reason behind it.  According to Mike, a FIJI always wears the pin so that the point faces over his right shoulder and he wanted the case to be designed with that in mind.  The display has been a challenge but a blast to build because of all of the weird cuts.  The picture makes it look out of whack but it is symetrical.  More photos are forthcoming.  I'm waiting on hinges.

Almost a shame to cover that beautiful grain on the back.

Lot of sap wood there Lew!

I like the angles.  Nice design.

Cliff, the hardest part has been the stand.  Originally Mike just wanted the case to sit on his desk but the thing is 19 inches long and I felt an optional stand was needed but I didn't want the stand to detract from the case.  Therefore, the stand had to be sturdy but not huge.  The case will actually rest in the cradle on the left but since the case hasn't been split it is too wide right now and is resting on top.  It will nestle in the cradle on a felt pad.

How unique is that?

Very nice box, Ron.

Ron my hat off to ya on that one! Those are some weird angles. Did you do test runs on scrap before you came up with the final mitered angles?

I made a prototype from poplar John.  I didn't want to ruin walnut.

Those angles are less than 45, did you run the piece through on end or have a jig of sorts?

I set the table saw to 33 degrees with my Wixey and cut the four narrow end using a tenoning jig on the table saw. Then I took the tenoning jig off, set up the fence and ran the angle I just cut against the fence and cut the other end with the table saw miter. The angles cut with the tenoning jig made the narrow ends and the miter cuts made the wide cuts.

I set the table saw to 33 degrees with my Wixey and cut the four narrow end using a tenoning jig on the table saw. Then I took the tenoning jig off, set up the fence and ran the angle I just cut against the fence and cut the other end with the table saw miter. The angles cut with the tenoning jig made the narrow ends and the miter cuts made the wide cuts.

Nice!

Beautiful Job, Ron

Well gang, the case is finished and will be delivered tomorrow.  Here's the finished product sans pledge pins.

 

Really looks great. Pictures don't do it justice though. I was awesome in person.