November 8, 2011
How to Build an Oyster Can Display Shelf
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HOW TO BUILD AN OYSTER CAN DISPLAY SHELF
Show off your prized oyster can collection on this attractive wooden shelf.
Free woodworking plans!
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A very poplular hobby is collecting antique oyster cans. They come in various sizes and some are worth a lot of money. Do a search on Ebay and you'll find alot of oyster cans from various collectors. It really is a unique niche and there are many self-proclaimed experts out there. Maybe you want to start your own collection. Perhaps you already have a few. Here are some free woodworking plans for a display shelf especially made for oyster cans.
Although I don't collect them myself, I live along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay and have friends that do. If you ever have a chance to visit the area, you may see some cans displayed in local crabhouses. I've recently built a few display shelves for a few customers and I decided to post one my woodworking plans online. This wooden shelf is just the right size for a larger oyster can. If the diameter of your can is less than 8", then it will work for you. The plans download as a standard .pdf file and can viewed online or printed on 8 1/2" X 11 paper.
OYSTER CAN DISPLAY SHELF PLANS
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If you have some woodworking experience, this is not a difficult project. You will need a scroll saw or band saw, a drill, some wood glue, and standard 3/4" pine. Of course you can always use wood such as walnut, cherry, or oak. If you've got a router, choose a bit that you like for the edges. Router the underside of the shelf if you'd like, too. Sand everything and apply some stain and a coat of polyurethane. You can purchase a hanger at your local home improvement store.
If you DON'T have woodworking experience of simply don't have the time, feel free to contact me for a quote - I can probably build you one of these in a few days and ship it to you.
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History of the Oyster Can
From what I've researched, collecting of oyster cans can be traced back to 1902. A man died from eating tainted oysters in Atlantic City and the industry suffered a blow to its reputation. Many oyster suppliers made a valiant effort to sell their oysters and the result was a wide variety of marketing attempts. The oyster cans became elaborate with many colors, artwork, and slogans. It is these cans that are sought after for collections. If you have any other information, by all means comment below for the other readers.
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