Me and my wife make these American flags for friends and for retirement gifts. I'm in the military and currently over seas so I'm having to use pics that I have on my computer but I think they will be sufficient. I don't know what the part I'm looking for is even called or how to go about googling it. I'm a car guy and forums have given me so much help and info in the car world I figured why not turn to a woodworking forum. Sorry for the long intro but it's my first post and wanted to give some background into myself and the problem before just being a stranger that just wants answers. So heres the problem, we make distressed wooden american flags (pics below) I wanted to put one of our flags in front of "shadow box" as we call it. The box behind the flag is 3" deep and slightly smaller than the flag. I attached the flag to the box via drawer sliders so you could slide the flag up and reveal whats in the box behind it as it hangs on the wall. The problem is I need something to hold and keep the flag up so you can take out or place things in the box. The weight of the flag is a couple pounds. I tried a ball bearing detent but its not strong enough, I'm thinking I need something dowel like that always has pressure against the back of the flag and when the flag raises past it, it pops out and the flag can then rest on it, and to put the flag down you simply press the dowel pin back in and slide the flag down. Hopefully between the pics and write up you can adequetely assess my problem. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for your time.

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Welcome to the forum! When you get a minute go ahead and complete your profile with first name and location. You can add your name to your signature line and it will show in each post.

That's a nice looking piece you've done. I may have to borrow that for our house...

Can you use a dowel with a spring behind so that it's like a spring loaded detent?

David

Hey David, sorry for the lack of personal info, fixed it and thanks for the heads up on that!

As far as a dowel with a spring loaded detent, unless i'm not thinking of it correctly, what will keep the dowel from springing out? Your idea is on the right track as far as what I'm looking for. Once the flag raises above the dowel then the spring would make it protrude far enough out for the flag to rest its weight on, then push the pin with your finger back in far enough that the flag can slide back down. What would keep the dowel pin from springing all the way out once the flag raises above it?

Maybe something like this? its called a shutter repair pin, I could router it in to where just the pin is protruding but I don't think the pin is nearly long enough. Hopefully the pic gets a better idea of what I'm trying to describe. Again sorry for the lack of knowledge on this, trying my best to describe it.

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A simple solution would be to drill a hole through side and bottom section of drawer rail just below where top rail ends for a pin to be pushed through. Hang the pin on inside on a chain so it doesn't go missing.

Or slide the flag down instead of up. Have a catch at the top to hold it in place. Maybe a lock.

Put a screw and washer from the back into the center of the dowel. You'll have to leave room for the screw to protrude when the flag is down. That should keep it attached and then all you have to do is push it back in enough to slide the flag back down.

Thanks for completing your profile, Brent!

David

David,

Yep! i can picture exactly what you're talking about, its simple yet very effective. I'll try that, it should work! Thanks for all the help!!!!

-Brent