How to Build a Flag Display Case | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House carpenter, Nathan Gilbert, shows the office he renovated during the quarantine and works on the finishing touch, a display case to store the U.S. flag that was presented to him at his grandfather’s funeral.
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Nathan Gilbert gave his home office an upgrade during the quarantine and is looking to add the finishing touch; a display case to store his grandfather’s American flag. The flag was hung over his grandfather’s casket after he passed away the year before. Like Nathan and his father, his grandfather was a Navy Seabee. Nathan was given the flag and wanted to build a display case to safely store it and thought the new office shelving would be a perfect place. Nathan demonstrates how to build a flag display case step by step in his father’s workshop.
Time: 2 hours
Cost: $200
Skill Level: Moderate
Tools
Carpenter square [amzn.to/3fM2LmU]
Compound miter saw [amzn.to/2RmbgeY]
Table saw [amzn.to/3g4nS2C]
Compact router [amzn.to/3wTtTWw]
Chamfer bit [amzn.to/3yWK5Iy]
Glass cutter [amzn.to/3pfhQjH]
Pin nailer [amzn.to/3idEcAU]
Materials
1x6” red oak lumber [thd.co/3g8o9kS]
½” plywood [thd.co/3ihLpzJ]
Sheet glass [thd.co/3vLmuIP]
Wood glue [amzn.to/3peKnG8]
Pin nails [amzn.to/3vOyZmR]
220 grit sandpaper [amzn.to/3wT47Sl]
Lacquer [amzn.to/3vPvaha]
Where to find it?
Nathan built the flag display case out of 1x6” red oak boards and sheet glass which can be found at any home center.
To secure the boards together, Nathan used wood glue [amzn.to/3peKnG8] from Gorilla Glue [www.gorillatough.com] and some pin nails [amzn.to/3vOyZmR] with a Porter-Cable [www.portercable.com/] pin nailer [amzn.to/3idEcAU].
Expert assistance with this segment was provided by William C Gilbert Carpentry.
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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment-your home.
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How to Build a Flag Display Case | Ask This Old House
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[@lechatbotte.]

I just laid my Father to rest, WWII Vet battle of the bulge. I ordered on flag case, turned out to be bad, found another much more money but it’s doing the flag justice. Wish this had published sooner.

[@demonknight7965]

Thank you for your and your grandfather's service to our country.

[@69virgin1966]

You can never go wrong when you honor a vet! It doesn't matter what country you live in, the vets who serves honorable are worth there weight in gold. Great job Nathan. Thanks for sharing and God bless

[@corneydeb]

We don't revere our flag here in the UK maybe we should , great job Nathan.

[@wokohedgehogs]

Absolutely agree about the UK, it’s an amazing tribute for the family to keep. Love the box, such a great way to display the flag.

[@BradThePitts]

The are probably more Americans sporting Def Leppard T-shirts with a British flag on it then there are British flags in the whole UK - LOL. \m/

[@kenthomas1109]

Beautiful project! I recommend adding his name to the back of the case so future generations keep the information straight. Maybe even a picture of him in uniform.

[@MacDaddy88]

Your grandfather would be proud of the work you do now. You honor him with your service to our country and your professionalism and skill as a carpenter. Great job!

[@borys444]

I love America and the troops that help to protect our country. Salute to the men and woman who keep us safe. Bless u all...

[@josecondemarin9586]

Sir thank you for your service, great 👍 job . I bet your grandfather is proud of you. Good video

[@mikebelcher5111]

Thank you for your service. God bless

[@lbbw1999]

Thank you and your Grandfather for serving and sacrifices. Nice tribute.

[@lalo9907]

Thats amazing work, your grandfather would be proud of that. Thank you for your service. SEMPER FI!!

[@scottslotterbeck3796]

Honoring our veterans is a beautiful thing. My father was a veteran, and we purchased our case. His flag is in a honored place in our home. I see it every day.

[@TheBritishPatriot]

Thank you both for your service to the greatest nation on earth!

[@TheBritishPatriot]

@@Kevin-mp5of it’s the nation with the most freedoms and opportunities in the world (thanks to people like Nathan and his gramps), and it has a world class healthcare system, one that the entire world relies on for medical innovations, as proven again over the past year.

[@TheBritishPatriot]

​@@Kevin-mp5of No point in me arguing with someone so rude and ignorant about a topic that has already been settled by facts and statistics (do some research). The world owes America and it's healthcare system a debt of gratitude not only for COVID but for decades of other medical innovations that no other nation could've ever dreamed of creating, but regardless of what you think of the healthcare system, America still the greatest nation on earth, no thanks to people like you who continue to degrade it and lash out at those who know better.

[@jake9705]

Wow, very nice project you don't see anywhere else yet so important. Great work!

[@Guardducks]

Nice work Nathan. 👍🏼

[@the_jonathan_o]

Beautiful project.

[@susanhester6081]

Thank you for service

[@armyvet8279]

They don't make men like The Greatest Generation anymore. I have nothing but the utmost respect for every man and women who in some way fought for this country and for their buddies next to them.

[@patrickduffey4344]

Super cool little project and I'm glad there is a lot of meaning behind it

[@MESTER47]

Sanding the glass after cutting its a good idea! In general nice work.

[@michaelmiller1109]

Thank you! Love this video!

[@BradThePitts]

If you don't feel comfortable working with glass, lexan is a great alternative. It's available at your local big-box store and cuts surprisingly easy with a sabre saw. Sand the edges and gently pass a blowtorch on low over the edges. The edges will shine up, smooth out, and even round the corners a bit! 👍

[@Skammerd]

I'm lovin Nathan. He's like a young Norm without the accent.

[@MandoFettOG]

He definitely seems like a class act and worthy of the position

[@glock19gen3]

Beautiful

[@abehne84]

Thank you for your service, I really appreciate this project. I’m just curious, at 3:02, is there a benefit to using your folding rule to make this measurement? Or did you just happen to use one instead of your tape measure?

[@davidd8435]

Great job what an honor.

[@pikminlord343]

Such a great idea

[@dirtyhairy8884]

A big HOOAH to Nathan's grandfather up in The Heaven's and that beautiful Flag Display. Nicely done! 🇺🇸❤️💯👊

[@dirtyhairy8884]

@@brianglade848 HOOAH!🇺🇸👊

[@Yorkie285]

Good job.

[@bosse641]

Awesome. God bless America.

[@arth.4196]

Awesome how to Flag Case. Thumbs 👍 Up to your Grandfather 👴 👍

[@andrewc6385]

Well done Nathan

[@johnmiller1015]

I need to make one for my great-grandfather's flag

[@evelinagarcia6352]

Salute!

[@evelinagarcia6352]

Those are some beautiful floors.

[@vazz22]

I need to build one.... thank you!🇺🇸 on the 75th anniversary of D-DAY

[@onedashusmc]

Semper Fi!

[@ericboisen3180]

I am tasked with creating three flag cases for family members. I have played with a couple of designs but really like yours. What height did you set your table saw blade for the 22.5 degree angle cut?

[@buddysays6726]

❤️

[@raymondmallais6375]

C'est vraiment bien fait petite question pourquoi vous plié votre drapeau en triangle 🇺🇲🤔

[@arth.4196]

Hello, Did your Grandfather serve in Combat or Support of it ?.

[@donaldbarber5160]

Would love you to create one for my Dad Col. John Leonard Barber a Air Force Pilot. I have the flag from his casket when he passed. Don Barber

[@markbrisec3972]

Okay, now how can I do one without the table saw? So I can't make the grooves for the glass nor can I cut that crazy angle... I have a miter saw and a circular saw... Oh yes, I'm also a freaking beginner so bare that in mind... Any suggestions?

[@mccalejk2]

This should have been done a long time ago.

[@Leprechaun33]

Nathan Gilbert sorry for your loss U Miss your grandpa don’t U & my name is Jon I miss my grandpa as well he was in during WWII

[@likearockcm]

Should of engraved his name on it. Nice work !!!

[@DW7887]

You should write some of the facts about your grandfather on the back or on a paper inside - so decades later he can be remembered..

[@hmbpnz]

No problem...if you've got those tools!

[@couchman184]

How did you attach the base to the bottom panel? Come on man!

[@davidriley7659]

brad nails obviously. maybe glue

[@armyvet8279]

Nails and glue

[@evelinagarcia6352]

I have no idea who has my Fathers flag. Thats the only thing he wanted on his casket and my Mother made sure it was done. She has past away since.

[@evelinagarcia6352]

The OG's of Local #329 Galveston Tx. Longshoreman folded the flag.

[@dddd7934]

@@evelinagarcia6352 I'm very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you and your family.

[@zephyrsman]

Nice job. The only thing it's missing is a brass plate with his name, rank, etc. That would set it off.

[@andrewk-majordochomerepair6014]

I've been in the service now for over 16 years. One can easily buy a ready made flat display case, but that's not what it's about. You demonstrate what we're about, making the effort, making a difference with honor, respect, love. A simple display case perhaps, but not its significance. Only fault, and Norm would probably tell at you, no splitter on your table saw, lol. A zero clearance insert and flat kerf blade can really make a difference for safety when cutting rabbits on a table saw. Perhaps that'd be a good next 'how to' video, making zero clearance inserts for different saws. I use mine with its oak kerf width splitter I made for my much more modest Dewalt jobsite table saw almost exclusively when not cutting pieces on my cross cut sled.

[@theamerican7080]

That poor flag is again under attack...by it's own people. 😒

[@LetsGoBrandon-FJB]

that poor flag is under attack by the terrorist group known as the democrats.

[@kangkim150]

And the Republicans. You would be a fool to think one party is good and the other is bad. Both are anti-american.

[@LetsGoBrandon-FJB]

@@kangkim150 that's why the racist, anti-American democrats are siding with china, russia and iran. there are a few republicans(rinos) but most of them are Pro-America.

[@kangkim150]

@@LetsGoBrandon-FJB Lol I can see you are brain washed. No turning back mate. Lick those boots.

[@LetsGoBrandon-FJB]

@@kangkim150 LOL, im brainwashed? do you wear a mask? how about a mask while driving? talk about boot licking

[@mjs3188]

If you're gonna show table saw usage, please show it with appropriate usage and safety. There were several dangerous cuts, improper blade height, and I saw at least two almost-kickbacks. People are watching this to learn, you should include safety as well, especially on something like a table saw that can take off fingers and hands if you aren't doing it right. A professional knows what they can get away with. I've seen a professional carpenter hold a 2x8 in one hand on his knee and hit a perfect 45 degree angle with a circular saw in the other. Homeowners and DIYers don't have the experience to know what they can get away with and should play it safer.

[@itzbishop5256]

If you make the decision to do things without the knowledge, safe or dangerous; the outcome should be expected. Seeing posts like this make me laugh. Natural selection will take its course.

[@Mikdugal1]

I would be dead surprised if anyone liked you

[@Tavbiy]

First!

[@wanderfartherfurther]

Great video until you used that crazy jig for your non-45* angle cuts. Not a good instructional video when you use non-common tools. Just sayin’

[@albertstrong5516]

Some of these idi*** that leave these comments needs to get a life. What a bunch of jack as**.

[@gangisspawn1]

I'm going to put my ISIS flag in this, thanks!

[@Iwonder81]

Prefer helping homeowners with common problems than these projects that nobody needs

[@rustymcrobot]

I don't have stairs in my house, buts TOH made vids on fixing loose newel posts. I don't have interest in maintaining a garden, but they post vids on making planter boxes. I don't have a family members flag I need to make a case for, but I have respect for those who may and gain info form this vid. This was sweet, heartfelt and informative - it helped brighten my day and I'm sure some folks will be inspired by it. Your comment is none of these things and serves only to disparage the folks producing this content and community here. I'm sorry you cannot see outside of your own narrow needs.

[@JohnC-kc5uh]

Sorry you lost a great hero. ARMY GRANDFATHER.

[@JohnC-kc5uh]

Don't butcher the word VETERAN don't say vetchren. Learn to say it correctly OR DON'T SAY IT AT ALL