Scatch built display case.

It's an important subject.  A good case not only preserves the model, but has a big impact on the impression it makes on the observer.

I don't know of a set of plans for a case on the Web, but I'm sure one can be found somewhere.  I'm not so confident, though, of finding a good design that way.  I've looked at a number of case designs in print, and frankly none of them has impressed me much.  I've built a fair number of cases, and have never bothered to draw plans of them in advance.  Once you get the basic idea of how to put the thing together, you can sort of design it as you go along.

What's most important is to figure out, in advance, just what you're trying to do - and what limitations you have to take into consideration.  (Examples:  space, lighting, Significant Others in the household, and Cats.)  In another Web forum recently we had a pretty interesting discussion of case design, along with some other aspects of displaying ship models.  Here's the link:  http://modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=73851#73851 .

Good luck.

I have a case built from old storm window glass. It is foiled and soldered like stained glass. Here is  a link to a picture of it.

 http://www.modelshipworld.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=777&highlight=

I build my own display cases although I use perspex or clear polestyrene instead of glass as its easier to work with and safer around kids.  Its a very basic method but its fairtly easy.  I photographed one of my builds and put it on webshots here:

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/178293939qHjxkR?start=0

You can make a case for a 1/96 or 1/350 size ship for under $150 and get everything you need at any home center. Get you dimensions that you want and draw a three dimensional sketch to take with you, because you may have them cut to fit many of your materials.

Typically you will need a 4x8 sheet of 3/16 "plexiglass", which has been previously commented, is a polystyrene, is much safer to handle, and is easy to work with.  You could have them cut to size.  Many stores sell this by the sq. foot. 

Ask about the clear adhesive you will use to glue your sections together with.  For an example how these cases go together, check out the aquariums at any pet store. look inside and you will notice a line of adhesive up the corner. Same construction method for the case.

Ask about frame clamps.  These are like C clamps but allow you to clamp perpindicular planes together.  You can clamp your four sides and then glue them up with the adhesive and let sit for 24 hrs.

Go into the molding section and select a corner molding that you like, have them cut and miter to fit and you can attach the molding to the outside edges of you case with the same adhesive.

For a base, I found they have great pre-finished hardwood in the shelving section of the store which costs less than if I made the base myself.

Scott

  That is a beautiful display case for your ship model. That is the case I would like to construct for my model when it is completed. If you would be so kind, can you please write to me how you went about making this beauty ? Your help would be appreciated.

  Montani semper liberi  . Happy modeling to all and every one of you.   Crackers

That, was 40 years ago, so the actual "process" is all but forgotten.

The case, is 3/4" square wood, with a groove cut in two sides, for the glass (sides, ends, and top, The bottom "rails" have the groove on only one side). The front and rear are assembled as you would a picture frame, the glass, permanently installed in the pre-cut grooves. The four, top, and end (short dimension) pieces, butt to the insides of the front, and rear , and the glass is inserted into the grooves during basic assembly. All joints are glued,The corners are secured with 1/4" dowels, through the front and rear pieces, into the end grain of the short pieces. small brads were driven through each rail, into the dowel at each corner of the front and rear "frames". The case assembly (with glass installed) was then sanded, stained, and finished with hand rubbed tung oil.

I have been lucky that the glass was never broken, as this method of assembly did not allow for replacement of the glass. Since then, all my cases have been routed to take the glass, which is held in place with quarter round, fastened outside the glass with small brads, in predrilled holes, to prevent splitting the quarter round. Two wood screws through the base board, into the bottom end rails hold the case to the base board, I also installed felt gaskets around the bottom to help seal out dust.

  To Sumpter 250:  Thanks so much for you time to describe how you made your glass ship model case. Your example seems to be just what I'm looking for. My model has a long way to go for completion, but I have made a copy of your instructions on my printer for future reference.

                            Many thanks again.

   Mantani Semper liberi !  Happy modeling to all and every one of you.   Crackers 

Crackers, your signature/motto has defeated both my admittedly vague memory of my high school Latin course (taken - terrifying though the thought is - forty years ago) and all the online translators I've checked.  I suspect I may not be the only one.  Please enlighten us:  what does "Mantani Semper liberi" mean? 

One of the online sites told me that "semper" means "always" (being married to an ex-Marine I knew that much) and "liberi" means "children."  But "Mantani" has them - and me - stumped.

I never had latin - but "semper liberi" seems to say "are always free" .. now the remaining question is: who or what are "mantani" ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montani_semper_liberi

Hmmm....I initially figured "semper liberi" meant "always free."  When I typed "mantani semper liberi" into that web translator (I don't remember which one it was - and it looks like it isn't worth much), it gave me the English translation "Mantani always children."  Which left me baffled.  The possibility of "Montani" did occur to me - but I confess Wikipedia didn't.  Well done, Marcus.

Crackers - is there in fact a connection with the great state of West Virginia here?

     Professor Tilley, you are ever so correct. "Montani semper liberi" is the state motto of West Virginia. In Latin, it means, "Mountain people are always free.". I adopted this motto, as for years, I have spent the summer months of July and August hiking and fishing the beautiful Sawtooth Mountains of Central Idaho. In winter, I ski these same mountains at Soldier Mountain Ski Resort, east of Fairfield, ID. The above photo was taken at Soldier Mountain in the Sawtooths last winter.

   Montani semper liberi !  Happy modeling to all and every one of you.  Crackers

Now it all makes sense (except that web "translator" that thinks "liberi" means "children").

I was born and lived my first thirty years in Ohio.  Though I can't claim to have spent much time in West Virginia, I have driven through it many, many times.  Those mountains are indeed beautiful and inspiring things - and I deeply envy anybody who has the physical wherewithal to appreciate them at close range.