Display cases

[Tony Frohnhoefer]

since I'm very near completion on the "King" I've been looking into
ideas to buy or build an inexpensive case for her(she's nice but not
quite deserving of one of those $300 jobs. Any way I found a company
that will build a very nice acrylic and wood case for very little
money. Check them out at: http://www.bc-plastic.com
Tony F
Austin TX

[Paulrjordan]

Hi Tony..this is the URL I gave you back in post 351

Sounds like you got prices from them...can you let us know
approximately what they are? I'm told by modelers in OZ that these
people are very reasonable..even when you add shipping. Be interesting
to see how this all pans out.

Are you ordering a case from them?

PJ

[Tony Frohnhoefer]

PJ: I priced a case for the King which will need to be inside
demensions of 29x9x14. They wanted $51 plus some shipping with a wood
base and acrylic case. I've found a pretty good deal here in Austin a
guy will build me the acrylic box eithe bent or welded for $38. I
figure I can fashion a base from maple or something pretty
inexpensvely. By the way Bob Crane gave me a great idea. He suggested
putting a second piece of wood that just fits the case inside
dimensions on top of the first base plate to give the lower end of the
case some rigidity and also a place to saet screws to secure the top
to the base
Tony F

[John Roberts]

Hi, Paul,
I checked out the site that Tony gave, and I will definitely be getting a case from them when I get my models finished. I couldn't build an equivilent case for the same money, if I value my time at all.
John

[John Roberts]

Tony,
May I suggest having the back of the case being a mirror? That way it could be seen from both sides, if the case was backed up to a wall. Just a thought.
John

[Paulrjordan]

Hey John..what a good idea... we used to do that on model cars in
cases..and I even have a 1/24 Austin Healey with mirror on the base so
you can see the under detailing..or at least part of it.

Wouldn't take much to just hold a mirror up behind the model to see
how the effect is...hmmm I wonder..how about a smoked mirror so the
image doesnt detract from the model? just a thought... but no doubt
about it..final display of a static model is so important...and i
think a case ADDS to the "stature" of a model!!

PJ

[Paulrjordan]

Anything of this price is a GREAT DEAL especially when you think of
the investment it's protecting... As I mentioned in a previous post,
I have built inexpensive display cases out of discarded scraps of
glass/plexi, wood and diligent use of either silicone adhesive, MEK
for plexi, and even epoxy.. In fact the MOST expensive part used to
be the brass plate to have engraved...till I discovered what a great
job I could do on the computer with a label covered by a thin piece of
plexi andchored down at each corner by brass nails.

The inside upper base IS a good idea and I find that it centres up
and stabilizes the glass "box" nicely and makes it VERY easy to
remove.

I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of any finished cases.

PJ

PS. Outside corners of the glass case can be trimmed easily with
wood and metal from picture framing places or mouldings from the
lumber store. There's a self adhesive corner protector strip in black
or brown plastic which works very well!!

[Tony Frohnhoefer]

Hey Guys: I like the idea of a mirror on the back of the case,
especially sine the "King" in particular is different on the two
sides. There is a stair way leading to the pilot house on the port
side that is obviously not present on the starboard side. Thanks for
the suggestion I'll try it out and see how it looks.
Tony F

[Paulrjordan]

Just to put the "case" thing into perspective, here is a link to
Copperfields, who make some pretty decent ship model display cases,
if you're prepared to pay the price....but it gives you an idea of
what you can pay for one.

http://www.CopperfieldsCo.com/

PJ

[Tony Frohnhoefer]

We have been talking over the last couple of weeks about building
inexpensive display cases. I have uploaded a picture of one I just
built for the King of the Mississippi to the files under Model
Gallery, under Tony's Riverboat. It is entitled rivercase.jpg. I think
you'll agree for about $60 it's quite a case. If you have trouble
opening it on the files, which some of you have for some reason, try:
http://www.austintx.net/ahis/rivercase.jpg You can also see pictures
of the boat at: http://www.austintx.net/ahis/river.htm

Tony F
Austin TX