Where do you get your display boxes/cases?

GEMO http://www.gemodisplays.com/ makes good custom size cases although they can get pricey. For a basic box the size you need you'd be looking at $150-200 or more, Short of that you can always buy a sheet of clear acrylic at the hardware store and have them cut it in to panels and glue them together with epoxy. A stained wooden base with a trough routed will hold the lid in place.

Here's a few articles on how to make your own boxes from lexan sheet

http://www.ehow.com/how_4824202_make-display-cases.html

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49626

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=49627

I made a glass display box for a customer last year. It was roughly 16x16x6(IIRC)...anyway, I had the glass(1/8") cut at a local glass shop. It was under $25 including a tube of silicone to put it together with!

For ones like what Fermis has there  ^^^  I'll have a plastics shop do it. Comparable size runs me about $50 a pop. Not the cheapest, but easy and effective.

Review the web - www.casesforcollectibles.com

They are the best in this field.

I have also used  www.gemodisplays.com.     Pricey but a nice product and nice people

Actually it's quite easy to make your own clear display case at a fraction of the cost compared to buying pre-made. Not to mention by making it yourself you can create any size.

Now your probably thinking how in the world do I make a display case.....

First, buy some clear acrylic sheets (plexi-glass, acrylite) <----these are just the name brands, places like Menards and Home Depot sell acrylic sheets in various sizes and thicknesses. If they don't have what you require, check the yellow pages for local plastic suppliers, though keep in mind they may be more costly the Home Depot.  Another tip, bigger sheets are usually more cost effective then buying a small sheet.

Second, cutting your acrylic. It is possible to cut plexi on a table saw, though it's recommened you use the special plastic/plexi blades they sell. It will provide a cleaner cut(less cracking) and won't melt the acrylic in the places you are cutting compared to a regular wood blade. Or if you can use a laser cutter. This provides close to perfect edges, and you can engrave the acrylic with a name/label/design if wanted. Yes, their expensive so look at plastic suppliers/professional laser cutting services, some plastic suppliers use them to cut the acrylic. For a display case you just need rectangular pieces cut, they can do that easily if you ask just provide the measurements.

Third, if you've gotten your acrylic cut now it's time to assemble. I personally use Liquid Nails Clear, it doesn't mar the surface as it doesn't actually melt the acrylic. So even if you make a mistake just grab some paint thinner and rub of the stray glue. Wait a few hours so the glue dries and guess what your DONE!!

Cutting the acrylic sheets is the hard part! Its like cutting glass with one of those cutters with a little metal wheel. Much easier said than done!!!

Once you get the cut made if it is not deep enough you may get cracks when you snap it  that can ruin the entire sheet of acrylic.

Using a table saw you run the risk of scratching the acrylic. The sheets are covered with a thin saran wrap type plastic but it doesnt give much protection.

If you read my post, no where do I recommend using the acrylic cutters they sell(the ones where you scribe the surface). Beacuse like you mentioned this just ends up crackinng the piece in unintenional areas.

As for the table saw, simply leave the plastic wrap that comes on the acylic and clean your table saw of any debris, this should prevent any scuffs. OR like I said one could simply contact a plastic supply company to see if they do laser cutting or check out a proffesional laser cutting service.

Having personally cut acrylic on a table saw (this works quite well for the straight cut pieces one would need to make a case) and cut acrylic by hand with the scribe and crack technique and cut acrylic using a laser cutter, I'd suggest the table saw first(more out of ease of access) but would recommend the laser cutter. 

Thanks for all the great tips, guys!  I was looking up all the various trophy and awards suppliers in my area but the didn't seem to deal much with display cases.  I hadn't thought of tracking down any glass or plastics suppliers so I'm going to do that next.  I tell ya, if I can find a place where I can get the glass cut and a tube of cement all for $25, they'll definitely get my business.

Thanks!

Eric

I prefer to cut plexi with a variable-speed sabersaw...

I don't suppose a Sawzall would work, huh? 

echolmberg

Thanks for all the great tips, guys!  I was looking up all the various trophy and awards suppliers in my area but the didn't seem to deal much with display cases.  I hadn't thought of tracking down any glass or plastics suppliers so I'm going to do that next.  I tell ya, if I can find a place where I can get the glass cut and a tube of cement all for $25, they'll definitely get my business.

Thanks!

Eric

I don't know about the 25 dollars. Fermis turned me on to a great idea, however I don't like working with wood much. I found a shadow box from Hobby Lobby and used a 40% coupon to get it. I guess that cost about 25 bucks. I removed the glass out of the case and reinstalled the inside ledges. I then went to a plastic glass shop and had them build me an acrylic case for it with bevelled edges(that touch looks real nice). I then had a friend in the glass business cut a mirror with rounded edges the dimensions of the shadow box (in this case a 16" x 20") and dropped it in. The picture I have shown is without the mirror but you get the picture. My whole emphasis went on the plane I built and I got  a good looking simple case for about 100 bucks total. There is a price for convenience but it paid off for me.