Looking for a good display case.

Sounds like you may have to build it yourself.  It's not that different than modeling a plastic kit. And you would end up with exactly what you wanted.

Just a suggestion of course.

Personally, what I have is a kitchen furniture with glass doors.  Usually used to display nice dishes in the kitchen.  It got two doors and a drawer at the bottom also to hide some model from the stash.  I had it for $10 at a local used furniture shop.

Hey Try, I'm in the same situation as you.

What you described is what I'm looing for also. I havent had much luck finding anything though.

I think we are going to have to make what we want, yikes.

Mike

 

Go to Ikea and pick up a few Detolf shelf units.  They're like 16"x14"x5' and cost $60.  They're completely enclosed (nor more dusting models) with 4 glass shelves.  You can add those cheap, self sticking LED lights for lighting.

-Fred

 

I got mine from www.gemodisplays.com       real nice people and service+good quality custom cabinets

I found a great display case at Wal-Mart. They had it labeled as a gun case because the manufacturer makes gun cases. Mine was a lot cheaper than the website lists, probably because Wal-Mart passes the bulk purchase discount.

Here is the website: http://www.mortonbooth.com/ the one I have is #1053 and shown on the homepage. It is a nice enough piece of furniture that my wife allowed it into the house, although my children have taken over a shelf with their school awards.

An option to think about are "media" cabinets. Being designed for CD/DVD/VHS storage, these cabinets have relatively shallow shelves (8 or 9 inches) and are generally far less expensive than traditional cabinets marketed as "furniture". I just ordered another one of these cabinets from Staples for only $138 (including free delivery). It's a bit smaller than what you're looking for (49"H, 32"W, 9"D), but comes with 7 shelves, a sliding glass door front, and may be closer to your price range.

Gigatron wrote:

Go to Ikea and pick up a few Detolf shelf units.  They're like 16"x14"x5' and cost $60.  They're completely enclosed (nor more dusting models) with 4 glass shelves.  You can add those cheap, self sticking LED lights for lighting.

 I'm with Fred on this one.  Actually 3 glass shelves and a wood bottom shelf.  I had a friend weld in 8 additional pieces of wire rod I picked-up from Home Depot, though you might be able to use JB Weld or solder them in yourself and picked-up 4 additional pieces of glass from a local local glass place.  Now I have a total of 8 shelves and it works great!

I am primarily a car modeler but want to do some aircraft as well.  The shelf size is might be just a bit small for many 1/48 jet aircraft.  I'm thinking the F-4 and F-15 might be just a little too big.  May need to do 1/72nd in something that size.  I'm thinking something like a 1/48 F-16 and F-104 might fit though.

I am thinking about getting one these Detolf units, they are definitly in my price range. I build mainly WW2 fighters and bombers, how many you think will fit on the shelves? This might just be what I have been looking for.

Well, it depends on the scale you build in.  Right now, I can fit my 1/32 hellcat on a shelf by itself.  I'll be working on a 1/48 P-61 and that one might be cutting it kinda close.  That one may have to go on top of the case.  But I might be able to get a 1/32 Zero and a 1/48 F4U-4 on one shelf as both are fairly small.

In 1/72, you may be able to get 3 or 4 per shelf, depending on the subject obviously.  A 1/72 P-51 is smaller than a 1/72 B-17.

-Fred

 

man this stuff sure can get pricey 

if you need space for 150-200 models   you got to rob fort knox

someone in one of these forums once suggested a fish tank. they come with lights and water is optional.