Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | Apr 20, 2004 06:11am | #1

   Vern -

   I once saw a pistol cabinet where each drawer had a lid.  The drawers had profile cutouts for each pistol fitted into the bottoms and the drawers and profiles were velvet lined.   The drawers were full extension and the lids were hinged on a lip at the back that was about 1.5" wide.  Each drawer was only about 3" tall.  Was very nice.

   Can you elaborate on your use of the term "dry rod"??  Is that a kind of dehumidifier?

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

1. 
   drhamel | Apr 20, 2004 06:19am | #2

   One of the major brands is Golden Rod.  They don't really serve as a dehumidifier in that they remove moisture from the air.  They provide a gentle warmth, much like a low-wattage light bulb would, and raise the point at which moisture would condense on metal.  Golden Rods are much used in gun safes to prevent rust.  I have my doubts of the efficacy of a rod in such a cabinet as described with little chance of air circulation.

1. 
   vern | Apr 20, 2004 07:08am | #3

   you are correct and the only reason my client didn't opt for a small bulb is that they burn out and could go unnoticed--the individual profiles would take some planning.but a very nice touch. Was there some kind of moisture control in each drawer? Or did the cover keep any moisture out[guess that would depend how tight they were]

   The space for air circulation can be part of the drawing. Since heat rises and damp air falls would you install the rod at the bottom? I could leave a 2" air space all the way up the back- would that create enough circulation? should the drawer bottom have holes in them? This cab. will be in an air cond. home and heated in the "winter" thanksmaking sawdust

1. 
   MichaelPB | Apr 20, 2004 07:31am | #4

   The term for drawers lined with velvet and cut with a profile of the item is "French Fitting".  It is a lot of work but looks stunning when done well, looks cheap when it isn't.

   Also, if the owner is really worried about condensation, having something like velvet or any cloth is a bad idea.  Also, since heat rises, make sure the rod is near the bottom of the cabinet.

   It does sound like a nice commission.  Pistol collecting can be a VERY expensive hobby.

   Michael

2. 
   UncleDunc | Apr 20, 2004 08:45am | #5

   There have been a couple of threads here in recent months about rust in toolboxes. Click on the Advanced Search button near the top of the left hand frame and search for tools and rust.

   My opinion is that one or two heat rods should keep a cabinet that size warm enough to prevent condensation even without a lot of air circulation.

   Besides gun safes, the heat rods are also used in pianos. I don't know if the concern there is rust or wood movement, but I do know that a piano is no more airtight than a chest of drawers.

   Edited 4/20/2004 1:46 am ET by Uncle Dunc

3. 
   PlaneWood | Apr 20, 2004 04:17pm | #7

   There used to be a guy in Tulsa OK that made very high dollar pistol cases.  I remember where he lived but not his name.  Was out on the east side, near Garnett and 21st  street.  He's probably joined the silent choir by now.  He did absolutely stunning work.  Gold, silver, ivory and pearl inlay, velvet lined, hidden locks, etc.  I remember that he stablized all his wood with PEG.  I saw a case he did once for matched wheellock pistols.  He gave me a lot of pointers on how to select wood.  I made a couple of cases in his style for lead figurines back when my boys collected Star Wars figures.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)PlaneWood

1. 
   Elcoholic | Apr 20, 2004 11:07pm | #8

   I've often daydreamed about doing French-fit presentation cases but haven't done so.  Wood attracts moisture from the atmosphere and releases it.  So some measures have to be taken to protect the guns.  I'd research what materials are used in factory supplied presentation cases (the nice ones, not the foam ones) and follow suit.  I would expect the fabrics and sub-strate are synthetic and non-hyrgroscopic.  You might try contacting the S&W Custom Shop and see what they use.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

2. 
   vern | Apr 21, 2004 07:17am | #9

   just signed on thanks for all the feedback --a local gun shop said to treat it like a humidor[internal space ] --three years ago I designed and made a 1000 cigar humidor[actually has had 1200 in it] basically avoid any internal structure that will obstuct air movement --it's a challange--I will keep looking into the French Fitting--if it can be done and done right it would be fantastic-- even the VPI rust inhibitor tubes need to be checked out-thanksmaking sawdust

2. 
   OneofmanyBobs | Apr 20, 2004 12:20pm | #6

   You won't get pitting if the pistols are cleaned and oiled properly.  You might well get a little light surface rust which is certainly not good.  Use VPI rust inhibitor tubes.  Brownells sells them.  Store each pistol with a piece down the barrel.  Works like mothballs.  In an enclosed space they release a little rust inhibitor into the air.  Last for years or decades depending on how often you open the box.