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HMAV BOUNTY - A “face lift “

Those DIY cases are awesome!!

You'll be so happy to stop dusting, and the models will be saved from the inevitable long term buildup of dust, grim, etc.

Your pub area is looking very nautical, very fitting for a master shipwright like you!

ConsNZ noted the All Blacks and Springboks are playing in the US 2027. Having played at the Naval Academy, that game was just added to my bucket list!!!
 
These are awesome protective boxes. I'm also waiting for stands (model plates) so I can order plexiglass for them, and then I'll have to glue two boxes together... There are some modelers who don't worry about dust, but I'm sad that the model will eventually turn completely gray...
 
Good evening. I am tired of dusting my Bounty and Xebec so bought some plexiglass sheets to make them a case. I still need to make/ finish the base and ships stand for both.

This was a fun experience and what I thought would be easy became rather enjoyable - was fun putting these together. I used Methylene Chloride to “glue “ them together.

The Xebec could only have 3 sides as it just fits into the space in my pub.

View attachment 572111View attachment 572112View attachment 572113View attachment 572114View attachment 572115View attachment 572116
The Bounty base I am making from African Mahogany which was in my garage. I don’t think I am going to add supports or frame the case as it turned rather solid. I also like the “naked” look.

The plexiglass has blown my near zero cost for this renovation… now up to $85.00……Eish.
Cheers Grant
Hey Grant, I have a request. Could you post a DETAILED thread on how to make a fantastic display case for the rest of us who are plexiglas-challenged? Please write about where to get materials and cost, as well as tools used to cut and join the panels.

Nice work!
 
Display cases are a must-have: a) to avoid having to dust the model and b) to avoid accidental damage.
Nice job on those DIY display cases.
 
Great job on the cases. I like that “naked” look too, the eye gets drawn to the model/s rather than a frame.
Hello Roger. Thanks. It was a bit of a hit and miss but they came out rather nicely.
Both models have there well deserved show cases, Grant. And making them yourself gives the most satisfaction!
Regards, Peter
Thanks Peter. I try make most things myself which does not leave the perfect finish but plenty satisfaction……and a few foul words.ROTF.
Regarding the Xebec: maybe it would have been easier to cover the entire front of the shelf with one glass?
Good afternoon. I was initially going to do that which would have been a lot easier. I do think a case which “fits” the model looks better so went with the 3 sides.
Wonderful job on the display cabinet Grant but Jumping Jellyfish I hope your not breast feeding or pregnant. That dichloromethane is a nasty solvent that poses serious health risks and physical issues. No doubt you ensured plenty of ventilation and PPE.. And truly an awesome display case for those magnificent models. Thumbs-UpBeercheers. (BTW All Blacks vs Springboks 2027 in Baltimore USA ;))
Oops. I didn’t realise it was so hazardous. I didn’t use any PPE. Got lucky but now I know for next timeRedface. Nope I’m not breastfeeding or pregnant…I hopeROTF. I saw that - it is always better when we play on neutral ground so that one should be epic.
Cheers Grant
 
Hey Grant, I have a request. Could you post a DETAILED thread on how to make a fantastic display case for the rest of us who are plexiglas-challenged? Please write about where to get materials and cost, as well as tools used to cut and join the panels.

Nice work!
Good morning Kurt.I buy the glass from a local guy here in Cape Town in 1x1m sheets. It costs around R1000.00 per sheet.

I cut the sheets with a knife (if you have a glass cutter it can also used). To get the line straight I clamp a piece of straight wood to the plexiglass and clamped tightly so nothing moves. Very NB. To cut I firmly score the glass along the wood about 15 times. Then place the glass along the edge of a table and press down. The glass breaks along the score line. For the bigger pieces I also score the reverse side and I needed Arlene to help me break it.

Sometimes I had to lightly sand the break edge with 220 grit to remove some slight variations. These are very little and the glass breaks easily and mostly cleanly along the line. You will see in the photo below there is a little sanding on the upper part of the edge.

Here are some pics using my left overs :

IMG_7588.jpeg
View attachment 572600
IMG_7590.jpegIMG_7591.jpegIMG_7592.jpegIMG_7593.jpeg

To glue I bought some Methylene Chloride glue (about R100.00) and a syringe. The difficult part was getting large pieces to stay at 90• and exactly along the edge. I used some right angle clamps but I do not recommend the ones I got. There are some seriously good ones on line from Amazon. The longer the better and you need at least 4.
IMG_7575.jpeg
You can see my clamp (lower right) in the above pic. El cheapo ones from take a lot (SA version of Amazon).

I start gluing a length to a width piece. The glue dries in 30 seconds so I glue approx 200mm long sections at a time. I put a little downward pressure so the glue runs along the entire section. I then place the glued length and width onto the top piece and glue. Repeat for other side.

You have to crawl into some tight spaces ROTF . The glue is super thin and runny and less is definitely better. This “glue” creates a chemical reaction and pretty much welds the sheets together.

My method (as with most of my modelling) is always a bit of “McGyverisms “ as I am tool limited. They came out pretty cool tho.

The best methods are on you tube. I searched for : cutting plexiglass by hand and How to glue plexiglass.

With some of my left overs I just made some covers for my 2 F1 Ferrari’s. These literally took 30 min to make.

IMG_7595.jpegIMG_7594.jpeg
Kurt my methods are not always the best so I do recommend checking out you tube.
Cheers Grant

IMG_7596.jpeg

IMG_7595.jpeg
 
Display cases are a must-have: a) to avoid having to dust the model and b) to avoid accidental damage.
Nice job on those DIY display cases.
A very true story Johan. It is amazing how quickly that fine layer builds up. I was using make appliers to dust and they work well, however it became a mission. I also think the cases bring out the model more. Thanks for the compliment. Cheers Grant
 
Those DIY cases are awesome!!

You'll be so happy to stop dusting, and the models will be saved from the inevitable long term buildup of dust, grim, etc.

Your pub area is looking very nautical, very fitting for a master shipwright like you!

ConsNZ noted the All Blacks and Springboks are playing in the US 2027. Having played at the Naval Academy, that game was just added to my bucket list!!!
Good afternoon Brad. My pub is also looking a bit of a mess at the moment- I seriously need to clean my shipyard up as I’m having some mates around for a braai tomorrow ROTF .
Thanks for the kind words Brad, I do appreciate it. My cases are my first attempt with Plexiglass and there are definitely a few things I would do differently to avoid filling up my bad word barrel. They came out pretty good tho.

That is so cool that you played some rugby. I loved it although I was a small chap so a cheeky scrum half I wasROTF…..until I broke my leg and wrecked my tendon. If you can get to the NZ vs SA game it will be an epic one.
Cheers Grant
 
These are awesome protective boxes. I'm also waiting for stands (model plates) so I can order plexiglass for them, and then I'll have to glue two boxes together... There are some modelers who don't worry about dust, but I'm sad that the model will eventually turn completely gray...
Good afternoon Sergey. I totally agree dusting is just pitiful ROTF. I still have to make my stands but at least they are covered now. Thank you for the compliment.
Cheers Grant
 
Good evening. I am tired of dusting my Bounty and Xebec so bought some plexiglass sheets to make them a case. I still need to make/ finish the base and ships stand for both.

This was a fun experience and what I thought would be easy became rather enjoyable - was fun putting these together. I used Methylene Chloride to “glue “ them together.

The Xebec could only have 3 sides as it just fits into the space in my pub.

View attachment 572111View attachment 572112View attachment 572113View attachment 572114View attachment 572115View attachment 572116
The Bounty base I am making from African Mahogany which was in my garage. I don’t think I am going to add supports or frame the case as it turned rather solid. I also like the “naked” look.

The plexiglass has blown my near zero cost for this renovation… now up to $85.00……Eish.
Cheers Grant
Hi Grant
Great job on the case.
I am aware of this chemical for "gluing" plexiglass; it's also called dichloromethane. I have never tried this but your experience tempts me for doing so and protecting my ships.
How thick was the plexiglass that you used?
 
The large size of the Sovereign is going to make building a decent plexiglas case a real challenge. I could really smear glue all over the glass surfaces and make a real mess if I'm not careful. Perhaps leaving a gap between two panels while they are in the corner alignment clamps, applying the glue, then closing the gap by sliding the panel down against the other panel as guided by the clamps, and squeezing the glue evenly along the joint, then tightening the clamps until the joint is strong might be a good technique. I know nothing about assembling plexiglas and have some researching to do.
 
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The large size of the Sovereign is going to make building a decent plexiglas case a real challenge. I could really smear glue all over the glass surfaces and make a real mess if I'm not careful. Perhaps leaving a gap between two panels while they are in the corner alignment clamps, applying the glue, then closing the gap by sliding the panel down against the other panel as guided by the clamps, and squeezing the glue evenly along the joint, then tightening the clamps until the joint is strong might be a good technique. I know nothing about assembling plexiglas and have some researching to do.
This (plexiglass) glue flows into the joint via a wicking process - not sure how that would work with your approach. And the bond is nearly instantaneous - there won't be time to fiddle with clamps and squeezing. I made a real mess of my first couple of trial runs.
 
This (plexiglass) glue flows into the joint via a wicking process - not sure how that would work with your approach. And the bond is nearly instantaneous - there won't be time to fiddle with clamps and squeezing. I made a real mess of my first couple of trial runs.
Oh... well if the glue is drawn into the joint using capillary action, then that's EASY !
 
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