Behind the Build: Creating Custom Cabinets for Baseball Card Displays
Every woodworker has that one project that tests their patience — and then makes them better for it. For me, that project was a set of custom baseball card display cabinets I built for a friend.
The idea was simple: create a clean, professional-looking way to showcase their collection of cards. The kind of piece that looks right at home in a sports den or home office. But as with most woodworking projects, “simple” on paper and “simple” in the shop are two very different things.
Designing the Display
The request was for framed cabinets that could hold rows of baseball cards neatly behind glass. We talked through dimensions, spacing, and style. He had a couple mass production cabinets already to base the things off.
I used pine for this build, thinking it would be a budget-friendly and lightweight choice. That turned out to be my first lesson. Pine can be great for rustic projects, but for something that requires crisp lines and a smooth finish, it can be a bit unforgiving. The grain, dents, and soft edges made everything a bit more of a struggle, especially finishing.
Painting, Fitting, and (Re)Learning Patience
Once the cabinets were assembled, I chose to go with a black painted finish to match the other card cabinets. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, let’s just say my painting skills are still a work in progress.
Getting an even coat without visible brush strokes took more time than expected. I sanded, painted, sanded again — rinse and repeat — and still found areas that showed every tiny imperfection. It reminded me that painting is its own craft, not just a step at the end.
Then came fitting everything together. I had to glue felt onto the back, carefully cut pieces, and make sure everything sat flat. I was super paranoid about getting wrinkles in the felt when it glued up. The glass doors, which I designed to be lightweight, turned out the edges were too thin for the hinge screws. Meaning when attaching the hinge to the door, the screws hit the glass inside the frame. I had to grind each screw down a 1/16” for them to fit. Another lesson I’ll carry into future builds.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
If I could start this one over, I’d make the shelves differently. I made the shelves, then cut 1/8” strips to glue to the front, giving them a lip so cards wouldn’t slide off. I did this because I don’t have a rabbet bit big enough. But in hindsight, I should have just used the table saw to make the cut. I’d also switch woods altogether — something like poplar, which paints beautifully and is more stable.
But that’s the beauty of projects like this. They teach you where your process needs refinement. And while this build had its share of hiccups, it also pushed me to improve skills I tend to overlook — like painting.
The Silver Lining
Even with those challenges, the cabinets turned out nice. My friend has already talked about more display cases, which is about the best feedback I could ask for. The next round will be a different style of cabinet, but will definitely benefit from all the lessons I learned the hard way on this one — and that’s how growth happens in the shop. You can check out photos of the Display cases in the Gallery.
Final Thoughts
Every project teaches you something new. Sometimes it’s a new technique; sometimes it’s humility and persistence. These baseball card cabinets gave me a bit of both — and while it wasn’t perfect, it was progress.
If you’re a collector looking for a custom baseball card display cabinet or a woodworker thinking about tackling one yourself, my advice is simple: plan carefully, choose the right materials, and embrace the learning curve. It’s all part of the craft.