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Display cases

I am also curious. I was trying to do some estimation for the case for my 1.2 meters long model and came up with something as $600-800 just for clear plexiglass. Real glass probably will be even more expensive. There I stopped looking into it.
 
Hi.
In this post —> ShowCase <— I explained how you can build your own showcase with plexiglas.But calculate it with your wanted sizes.
On the outside and inside your can glue some wooden frame parts like I did with the case for my Robt. E. Lee. But the case itself it made as show in the link.
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Good luck, regards, Peter
 
I need a case 48" long x 34" high x 20" wide. I can have one sheet 48 x 96 for three panels:
two 48 x 34 and one 48 x 20.


I also need two sheets 24 x 36 for $90 each for two panels 20 x 34:


This is $300 + 2 x $90 = $480. I am in Canada so I pay 13% tax. This totals to $542,40. I still did not price the wood board, edge planks, paint or lacquer, glue and whatever.
 
Sorry YT I have never thought to take photos of building the cases. They can be fairly simple or a bit fancy with stock materials from the local lumber yard. You can also get really complex if you want to by having the cover made to order with a designer shape. The three cases in the photo are made of plexiglass and were made first then the models built at a scale to suit the cases. Turned out 1:48 worked, but it could have been a custom scale if we had not gotten lucky.
Allan

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MDB said:
I've been looking around and display cases are extremely expensive, besides fish tanks what else is available, is there a cheap hidden gem out there.
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There are many you tube videos about constructing cases, cutting glass or plexiglass etc. One source of inexpensive cases I have found, if the model is not too big are display cases used for trophies, football helmets etc that can be bought at Michaels or the hobby lobby.




You should have some hole to allow the case to ventilate.

Rob
 
Y.T. said:
This is $300 + 2 x $90 = $480. I am in Canada so I pay 13% tax. This totals to $542,40. I still did not price the wood board, edge planks, paint or lacquer, glue and whatever.
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Wow! How close are you to the US border? The same 4 x 8 sheet at Lowes (what your Rona used to be) is $158 US ($220 Cdn).

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I've built plexiglass and wood frame cases, out of necessity. Not going to pay the big bucks! As someone noted, if you can build a ship model, with some practice and the right tools you can build cases. Basic tools, table saw, router/table, compound miter, orbital sander. I bought all my tools used, Facebook Marketplace, I've even bought tools from Pawn Shops. Bought "new" saw blades and router bits. You can use the table saw with correct blade to cut plexiglass. Thanks, YouTube!

I paid $30 for the router and router table combo, $80 for the 10" table saw, $75 for a 10" compound miter saw. All name brand name. Found a local woodworker shop, bought some maple, walnut and cherry wood. Cheaper than buying stock wood from a big box store.

Obviously, if you're not familiar with working with these tools the process can seem intimidating. Practice using the tools with some scrap, follow safety precautions, wear safety glasses and relax. You can get a lot of self-satisfaction with these projects.

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AllanKP69 said:
They can be fairly simple or a bit fancy with stock materials from the local lumber yard.
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After reading this, I did a search what is Home Depot's and Michaels' on-line stock and how much. Doing my usual in my imagination experiment, I came up with the following:
Have:
Plexi as large as 4'x8' They cut ply for you, so maybe the Plexi?
Pine outside corner molding 1.25" x1.25" x 8'
Glued in blocks to hold the Plexi to the molding vertical sticks. I am thinking just top and bottom should do.holds
A channel milled in the base for the bottom of the Plexi. If the channel is 2Xs the Plexi thickness and deeper than needed, little raiser blocks could glued in the channel for the base for the Plexi. This would allow plenty of air IN. Something similar for the top for air OUT. Glass wool between the spacers would stop critters and catch dust.
The top could have the Plexi float in the molding frame and gravity hold. The top frame have small short dowels at each corner to slide into holes in the vertical molding retainer blocks.
LED lighting strips could cover the inside corners ugliness.
Just prime and paint the Pine.

For a base two thoughts:
I bought some Sassafras in my search for suitable build lumber. The grain is really prominent and in wide enough parallel rows that maybe aniline wood dye of a blue or green or a mixture would simulate waves?
I bought a couple of 12" x 12" actual marble tiles -thick enough - each is heavy - the green one looks like the speaker podium back wall at the UN. These marble tiles would make an elegant base for model case. It would be difficult to tip over. It would also ruin your back if you tried to lift it.

Dean
 
I have my custom cases made up by R&T Woodworking out of Georgia, USA. They are very reasonable, especially when considering the shipping costs of my rather large cases. Mine also have a drawer built in with a small picture book placed inside. The book describes the build process, along with data on the ship. The case top sits on the base and can easily be removed, or it can be screwed down. Choice of wood, and several stain colors to choose from.
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MDB: Over the past 45 years I have built about 10 cases for my ship model collection. I use regular single strength glass bought cut to fit the case at our local hardware store. Here in the USA we have a chain named ACE Hardware that offers this. It is not expensive. Maybe $50-$60 for an average size case. My system does not require advanced cabinet making skills but it does require access to at least a full size table saw and perhaps a router.

If you have access to these tools and would like a detailed explanation, let me know. A small case below. Wood is American Black Walnut.

Roger

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Roger Pellett said:
It is not expensive. Maybe $50-$60 for an average size case.
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Well. These are tiny winy cases. Please look at what I would have to go through if I ever decide to build 4 feet long case for my Victory. So far as I am very slow builder (learning along the way the nautical terms, function of the rigging stuff and deciphering N. Longridge book) I managed to build at least the dust cover made of 1/2x 1/2 wood squares and the polyethylene film or else (stuff they wrap the flowers into). This is it and this is my working bench where I work on my ship. I take off the dust cover frame when I want working on the ship and it is on all the time when I do not.

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Just as with everything else in life, glass vs. acrylic is a compromise. Glass is clearer, stays flat, won't yellow or craze and doesn't scratch just by wiping the dust off. However, it is more expensive and weighs 2X+ that of acrylic, so your 20kg acrylic case becomes 45kg in glass. You have to decide what is more important. Additionally, if you have the occasional rambunctious child tearing through the house, safety becomes a factor and acrylic is a much better choice, unless you go with tempered glass, but then the costs rise exponentially.
 
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