Display cabinet help

[Drake69]

Okay here are some pics of my current display setup...

I picked up the larger media stand (first pic) from BB and put it together pretty quickly, then started adding my models in. Initially I thought I would have enough room to spare for the other kits (30+) I HAVEN'T built yet, but as everyone can see the spaces filled up pretty quickly. I thought about buying another display case but realized we don't have the space in our house (we rent, BTW) for any more shelving.

Then I noticed that the spaces in the media case (non-height-adjustable) are big enough to stack one extra car in each cubby, and this got me thinking. If I measure the length and depth of the cubbyholes and halve the height, I can get double the number of models in there.

Too bad I have no woodworking tools.

Does anyone know if Lowes/Home Depot will cut blocks of wood to my specs without charging me a boatload of money, or is there another way of doing this? I don't want anything rickety that can tip over at the smallest bump.

Thoughts?

[sjordan2]

What I did in that circumstance was to get the clear plastic display cases, put them over the bottom models and set another model on top. As long as everything is consistent, it looks fine to me.

[John Pol]

alot of the lumber stores here in canada will cut what ever you want for a small fee. So i`m sure its not that different there.

John Pol

[charlie8575]

Most lumberyards will give you one or two cuts for free, after that, it's 50-75 center per cut.

It might be worth your while to run over to Ace or True Value and get a 15" handsaw and mitre box (about $20)

The wood, when bought in eight-foot lengths and simply cut to length, becomes remarkably inexpensive if you cut it yourself.

Most lumberyards will also have some bags of dowels that you can use to turn into extra supports for the shelves. They're about $6-10/bag. Just be sure to measure the diameter of the holes, first. If you don't want the pre-cut ones, or can't find your size, two or three-foot lengths, depending on diameter, run from about 50 cents to a couple of dollars, generally. They can trimmed with your saw/mitre box, and you can reasonably expect 8-12 short dowels out of each length.

Charlie Larkin

[ra7c7er]

In my experience some places will and some places won't. I know Lowes and Home Depot will cut for you but the cut is going to be rough and they still make you buy the whole sheet of plywood even if you don't want it all.

Have you thought about a wall hanging display for the models?

[Ben]

Find the name of the company that manufactured the shelving "kit". Then find what model it is. Call the company and see if they will sell you extra shelves. That way everything will match.

[Tony T]

Renting sucks, and sure limits your ability to mount something on the wall!

The first set up you show, it looks like two display cases would stack in each square and fit which would save dusting, or as was mentioned, a display case with another model on top. The style of the furniture doesn't lead to easy fitting of other shelves since they stick out beyond the uprights. The second book case would be easy to add more shelves with the shelf holes in the sides.

Without replacing the whole unit with something with more shelves, there isn't a really easy or really cheap solution it would seem.

Good luck with finding a solution! I hope you do find something easy and cheaply to get more display space.

[Eshaver]

Allen, since you have a Lowes nearby , simply invest in a Mitre box and a Back saw . Now go back into the lumber section and check out the Oak, the Poplar and the White Pine Cabinet boards . I bet you could do some Three sided risers to fit into the compartment holes of the case with no trouble . Simply place a riser over the existing model on the shelf . You then can add yet another model to an existing space . I find Tulip Poplar to stain nicely , glue easily and cut well too...... Ed Shaver

[Dr. Cranky]

That's a nice way to display your models. Very cool.

[Casey]

www.ikea.com

Easy to assemble, pretty decent quality and price, and easy to disassemble If necessary) when you need to move.

[charlie8575]

seeing the dust prints on the shelves in the one pic i'd recommend that you start investing into the clear plastic cases for each car. not only will that protect each one quite effectively from dust but they are also stackable and you will double each space you've got currently just by going with those cases on that larger shelf unit.

two long term things that will kill your builds are exposure to dust and direct sunlight.

I absolutely agree with this, as well, and meant to put this in.

Actually, Skip's idea of buying good quantities of the clear cases (I like Pioneer Plastics' cases- very nicely-made and seal tightly,) perhaps with some type of skeletal "shelving" to help prevent tip-overs, might work well for your needs, too.

Casey's idea of a curio isn't a bad one, either. Minimal expense and Ikea's better-quality furniture is actually reasonably nice; no, you won't mistake it for Vaughn-Basset or Vermont Tubbs, but it's pretty good.

Charlie Larkin

[jsimmons]

I got an oak entertainment center, added a back, glass shelves, glass doors (and some oak 1x1 strips channeled for the doors), and puck lighting, and ended up with this:

http://paddedwall.org/diecast/pics_displaycase.aspx

The pictures are kind of old, but you get the idea.

I have over 500 diecast and plastic models on display right now.

[Aaronw]

If you are kind of iffy on wood working, I'd go with Ed's idea. It is simple, and quite manageable with hand tools. Pine will be your cheapest option, if the shelf is painted don't bother paying for more expensive wood. If you are going to stain it you might want to look into nicer wood. Pine takes stain well, but it is a very distinctive wood and it always looks like pine regardless of the color you stain it. I agree with Ed here too, Poplar is a fairly inexpensive wood with a nice non-descript clear grain that can mimic other more expensive wood when stained.

You will end up with upsidedown U shaped parts that you can glue or screw into the existing unit.

I've never had much luck getting wood cut at a Home Depot / Lowes type store. They will do it, but not very accurately. I've had cuts 1/2 - 3/4" off, not a big deal if they are just cutting a 12 foot board in half to fit in your truck, but it is a big deal if it is cut to your specific needs. Real lumberyards are usually better, but I still don't rely on them to do more than cut the wood into managable pieces.

[ffreak]

I started out with shelving just like you have, but quickly discovered the dust problem, and ran out of space quickly too. I got a curio cabinet but it still didn't resolve the dust problem. The only thing that has been the answer for both has been the clear cases. They are stackable and will save lots of space and no way dust can get them. However they can get expensive after a while. I use the Hobby Lobby coupons for 40% and 50% off and get a new one every time i'm in there. Also they have the larger ones for 1/18 scale and planes, which i've found you can safely put 3 1/24 or 1/25 scale cars or trucks into and they are also stackable. Kinda takes the bite out of it that way and is a more efficient display !!

[robertw]

Have glass shelves cut for between the wooden ones then drill holes for pins on the sides of your cabinet. Because the glass is clear and thin the models will almost appear to be floating and even ordinary window glass will hold the weight of a couple of models. Sorry no photos, but I've had a full floor to ceiling unit that I built with alternating wood / glass shelves for years. Glass shelves are 12" x 48".