This project was built and designed by Marcus from Salty Woodworking. It’s a handcrafted display case made to honor a signed Saints helmet, using contrasting hardwoods and clean joinery.
What started as a simple idea to show appreciation became a detailed project that pushed Marcus to try new techniques. The final result is both functional and meaningful, built with care from walnut and yellow heart.
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The Backstory Behind the Build
Marcus noticed a signed football helmet on his store manager’s desk and decided to create a case worthy of its value. The helmet had sentimental meaning as a gift, so the display case became a thoughtful way to protect and highlight it.
Even though Marcus isn’t a big football fan, he designed the case to reflect the team’s colors while keeping the wood natural. Walnut provided a rich base, while yellow heart added a bold, golden accent.
Working with New Materials
Yellow heart was a new wood species for Marcus and introduced challenges like checking and movement. Despite that, it brought a vibrant tone to the project that complemented the darker walnut beautifully.
The boards were milled flat and square, with each panel cut to size to form the sides and top of the display. Getting the material prepped properly early on made everything fit together more easily during assembly.
Joinery Choices and Frame Design
This was Marcus’s first time incorporating domino joinery, which he used to help align panels more accurately. The dominoes weren’t essential for strength but made glue-ups smoother and more predictable.
He originally considered box joints for the corners but switched to miter joints after running into some layout issues. To reinforce those corners, he added splines—small but effective details that gave the case added durability.
Building the Case and Fitting the Door
Once the panels were cut and dry-fitted, the back panel was constructed from thinner walnut pieces and slotted into a groove for added stability. The interior was sanded before assembly to avoid tight corners later, and painter’s tape was used to control glue squeeze-out.
The door presented its own challenge when magnets proved too weak to hold it shut. Marcus modified the design, using dominoes to create a tighter fit that kept the door in place without compromising the look.
Final Sanding and Finish
After the case was fully assembled, it was carefully sanded and prepared for finish. A wipe-down with mineral spirits revealed the contrast in the woods, helping Marcus visualize the final result.
For the finish, he chose Rubio Mono Pure, which brought out the natural grain without overly darkening the colors. The end product is sharp, clean, and perfectly suited to highlight the signed helmet inside.
Please support Marcus by visiting his website: https://www.saltywoodworking.net/.
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Display cases like this one really showcase how thoughtful design can elevate a simple concept into something special. The combination of walnut and yellow heart creates a striking contrast that feels both bold and refined. Yellow heart can be tricky to work with since it tends to move quite a bit as it dries, so taking time with material prep and acclimation is crucial for any project using it.
The switch from box joints to mitered corners with splines was a smart call. Miters give you those clean, continuous grain lines that work perfectly for display pieces, and adding splines transforms what could be a weak joint into something rock-solid. Domino joinery for panel alignment is one of those techniques that seems like overkill until you try it – then you realize how much easier it makes complex glue-ups.
One thing I always appreciate about display case builds is how they force you to think about the viewing experience. The choice to keep the woods natural while still nodding to team colors shows real restraint. It’s easy to get carried away with themed elements, but letting the wood speak for itself usually creates something that ages better and fits into more spaces. The Rubio Mono Pure was a perfect finish choice here – it protects without masking the natural beauty of either species.