Building a display

[JFortner5]

Hey everyone I just started building models again after a long lay off. I completed my first two now, and have two more to do (for now, I'm about to buy another). I stuck the first two on the mantle, mostly to see how long the wife would be able to stand it.

Eventually I'm going to need somewhere else to put them. I'm thinking of building some sort of shelf or something I can put them on and I'd like to see what you all have done and get some ideas.

I'd like to build it myself instead if buying something.

Thanks,

Joey

[Eshaver]

Joey, if it were me , I would simply do something in the order of an "Enclosed book case " with Plexiglas doors . Make the shelves adjustable so that you can raise or lower them at will using ready made metal tracks and clips . . The metal racks are available in most hardware stores and come Gold , Black and Silver . I'm partial to Lexan as Glass has a way of getting broken . The case could be a simple 36 inch wide , fourteen inch deep , six foot tall affair . I'm suggesting that size as you can actually buy those widths in the Hard wood areas of both Home Depot and Lowes .

[JFortner5]

I should have said, but I need it to hang on the wall. I have a 4 year old boy and a 8 month old girl.

Needless to say it needs to be up about 5' off the floor.

[Harry P.]

I should have said, but I need it to hang on the wall. I have a 4 year old boy and a 8 month old girl.

Can't you just lock the kids in the basement?

[JFortner5]

Lol sometimes that would be nice.

I think I may just do a simple shelf for now since I only have a couple cars. Another thought I had was to make a bookshelf type thing with two or three levels. I could put some of my NASCAR stuff on it until it fills up with models.

[Tom Geiger]

This was my first display case, an old china cabinet. Cost? Free! I've had it since my kids were your kids ages and never did a little hand get onto a model!

[AzTom]

The options are endless. For the the money it's hard to beat the acrylic cases like Carney Plastic makes http://www.carneyplastics.com/default.htm They make wall cases for 1/24 but I use their 10 car 1/18 case, they are deeper and allows more space above each model so they don't looked crammed in.

The one on the right has 1/25 models in it.

If you want them more decorative, say for the living room or den, add a wood trim frame around them like the one in the center of this photo. It's only 4 pcs of wood and slides over the case.

Keep your eyes open at yard sales for old "Insider Storm Windows". Here's a wood frame I made with one several years age for some 1/43 cars.

[JFortner5]

Those all look great. Thanks!

[charlie8575]

4-6 1x6s and some plexi with a 1/2" luaun backer board would do what you want.

Cut the case so that it's about two feet square on the outside, dado the back of the case and insert the plywood. Nail and glue the backer in. Drill a series of 1/8" holes about every 3" vertically, in the centre of the case. Plan to centre the case on a stud in the wall. Drill additional holes in the back approximately halfway between the centre and outer edge of the case on each side. You will need toggle bolts for those outer holes.

Next, using 1/2" square stock, cut those to a length slightly shorter than the internal depth, and nail them in place form the inside with 1" finish brads. Two per piece should do nicely.

Then, simply place your shelves on top of the slats. Put some masking tape on top of the slats, stain and varnish the case. I would recommend taping the leading roughly half-inch of the edges of the shelves, too, to allow for stain. Remember, glue DOES NOT adhere to stain or varnish.

Glue the shelves in place. Put a piece of plexiglass on the top, fitting the outside perimeter. Use magnets to hold it shut. Drill two small holes and mount hinges externally.

Charlie Larkin

[zenrat]

My latest display cabinet is a cheap bookcase with extra shelves added and a piece of perspex attached to the front using magnetic cupboard door latches. No need for hinges.

To keep small kids out dedicate the bottom half to books and other "boring" stuff.

Attach a length of hockeystick moulding to the front of a shelf to hold the bottom of the perspex.

If you have varnished shelves then be aware that the plasticisers leaching out of vinyl tyres will react with the varnish and cause the tyres to stick to the shelves.

Something you will only discover when you pick up a build and leave a wheel behind.

To avoid this I slice up instruction sheets and line the shelves with them.

Edited April 28, 2013 by zenrat

[TheRX7Project]

Why not make your own for about $20?

http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Display/dcase.htm

[Tom Geiger]

The best shelves for model cars are glass. There will be no chemical reaction (yes I once had a model solidly affixed to a painted shelf by a paint / tire reaction) and if you light the case, the light can travel from top to bottom. I recently had shelves made for two curio cabinets. Cut to size and finished edges, about $5-10 a shelf. So it's not expensive.

[JFortner5]

Why not make your own for about $20?

http://www.italianhorses.net/Tutorials/Display/dcase.htm

That looks good I think I'll give it a try.

[greymack]

I think a old china cabinet might be your best option as you may find one for cheap or free and have tons of space.

[Jantrix]

A lot of long term solutions given so far, but in the short term, how about some cheap IKEA shelves and a few of these?

http://www.modelcars.com/testors-124-standard-car-display-case.html