How to put overhead light into my bookshelf?

run led strip lighting just behind the face face above your models. can also use battery powered puck lights that use leds but the strip leds will do a broad face of light instead of 2 cones of light.

How do I attach the LED strip to the "ceiling" without damaging the wood permanently? I don't want to just nail it in place. That's crude.

Check out Lowes, Home Depot, etc for self adhesive strip lights. Let them know what you want it for and they can suggest ideas.   I'd mount it under the top at the back and you'll have to drill a hole for the cord to go through, in an upper back corner, whre it is not noticable. Unless you go battery power.

One word... Velcro. Lots of it.

Poke your head inside your bookshelf there and look for mounting surfaces on the inside. Then, if you go to Home Depot or Lowes, you'll find there's a lot of lighting options to inspire you. Sometimes you can look on Amazon or Ebay. I definitely would go with LED lights if I could. They don't throw out much heat. If you can find them in strips as mentioned above, see if it's possible to connect all the strips.

I tend to use small screws to attach any lighting in cabinets. I don't trust the self-adhesive lights to stay put. 

You could also do a Google image search for ideas, as well.

--Chris

Just don't do like I did and put Halogen lights in there!  They got so hot, one of my best model's engine cowling got permanently deformed from the heat.  Can't believe I did such a dumb thing!  

Monster, while at Costco the other day, I stumbled across a set of LED puck lights.  They came as a set of six and you could either turn them on manually or by using a remote control unit that came with the set.  Each "puck" had double-sided foam tape affixed to its back allowing you to stick it to wherever you wanted it.  I placed them in my display cabinet just a couple of weeks ago.  Really works out great!  I think a six-pack was something like $20 or $24.

Oh, almost forgot to mention that you can dim the lights to whatever setting you wanted plus it also had a timer option.  Along with just having them plain old "on", you also had the option of having them on for 10, 20, 30 or 60 minutes (or something like that).

Eric

Not related to the overhead lights . . .  but one way to use existing light would be to simply lay a piece of lighter colored paper underneath the models and let it curve up the back of the shelf a few inches.  Kindof like a photography backdrop.  That would create more contrast between your models and the back of the shelf - even if it were just a lighter shade of brown or beige.

It would work even if you do end up adding overhead lights.

Chris

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ddp59

run led strip lighting just behind the face face above your models. can also use battery powered puck lights that use leds but the strip leds will do a broad face of light instead of 2 cones of light.

 

I agree. I forget the brand but that make a large selection of adhesive hooks that they claim can but removed after applied without damaging the surface. Red/yellow blister packs at Walmart etc. Then string leds min the hooks.

If you aren't too concerned above the cabinet in the area above the models just use led strips with an adhesive on the back. These you can cut to desired length.

You'd have to drill holes for screws, but you can try one of those plug-in fluorescent lamps in conjunction with the light colored paper on the shelf the model sits on.

Got to say that undercabinet LED tape is unreal! After having seen that once in a clients home above his countertops I was amazed. I'd never suggest strip lights or puck lights again to someone after seeing how these things rock.

Is this what I'm supposed to get?

WenTop® Led Strip Lights Kit Non-waterproof SMD 5050 32.8 Ft (10M) 300leds RGB 30leds/m with 44key Ir Controller and Power Supply for Trucks Boats Kicthen Bedroom and Sitting Room

Before I got glass enclosed cases,my biggest enemy was dust,and it could be a losing battle,sure even if you dust regularly it's hard to keep up,and a lot of times your breaking off pieces.IMHO if you can,try for shelves with glass doors.

Just my 

Also some nice builds there.

How to get glass-enclosed cases?

MonsterZero

How to get glass-enclosed cases?

 

Buy them or have them custom-made to your specs.

Gary

I have no idea where to buy them because it's not an item you find in your average store.

Ikea,it's a nice luxury if you can afford them.The low case was built by an old company,they used to advertise in FSM called Gemo Displays,but they went out of business,try Ebay and Craig's List for storage fixtures also.

Try consignment shops or Goodwill stores. They may be slightly scratched up but easily repaired and at good prices.

Jim  

Look in stores that are closing or going out of business. You'll find some selling store fixtures and glass cases. Look in used furniture stores too. Sometimes you might find them there. We had a Sears going of out business at a mall last year. I'm sorry I didn't take the opportunity to buy a couple of glass cases then.

Another idea if you notice new jewelry cases had been replaced at a department store, ask the store manager to see whether they're going to toss them or sell them off. Worth a shot.

MonsterZero

I have no idea where to buy them because it's not an item you find in your average store.

 

In a furniture store you might ask for curio cabinents.

Pretty sure though you will not find them in a typical furniture store.

Like some have mentioned a store going out of business is the best bet.

Unless you get very lucky you will have to pay a premium for all glass cabinents.

Lots of folks besides us modellers desire these cabinents. Doll collectors, rock collectors, anyone that displays a collection of some kind.

A local store called Hastings is shutting down. They had a beautiful tall, air tight, lighted, all glass display case. It sold for $600. Well worth it but way more than I could afford.

Watch out for those self adhering over head lights. I heard a bang today and went to investigate. This is what I saw! Just missed! 

MonsterZero

Is this what I'm supposed to get?

WenTop® Led Strip Lights Kit Non-waterproof SMD 5050 32.8 Ft (10M) 300leds RGB 30leds/m with 44key Ir Controller and Power Supply for Trucks Boats Kicthen Bedroom and Sitting Room

 

I have not seen the controller part before but yes that is the general idea. You will have a transformer and the LED tape. Just double check on how/if you can cut that tape to the length you need. Obviously I would not cut it until you have done a trial run under the lighting conditions you will be under and how bright you want the display. I was amazed at just how bright and clean this lighting was.

Off Key;

 My cat has a message for your cat . "How could you stand to let your human do this to you ? Where's your dignity ? Shame , Shame " .Cute avatar though ! T.B.

They never seem to work right, either, or at least a few that I had bought some years back at a yard sale and tried them in my kitchen cupboards, which are very dark. Aside from the adhesive failing, they were difficult to turn on and off without a fight, plus they did a poor job of lighting and after just a few weeks, I said the heck with them and chucked them into the trash.

Griffin25

Watch out for those self adhering over head lights. I heard a bang today and went to investigate. This is what I saw! Just missed! 

 

Okay, forgot to add the quote before my post, and I can't seem to get rid of my original erroneous post. Anyway, we'll try it again:

Aside from adhesive failure, these self-adhesive lights never seem to work right, at least some of which I had picked up at a yard sale and installed in my kitchen cupboards, which are quite dark. Aside from the adhesive failing, the lights were difficult to turn on and off without a fight and they didn't give off enough light to make much difference. About three weeks later finally said the heck with it and chucked them into the trash.