Display cases

[36feet10inches]

Not a building question exactly:

Now I'm trying a bit harder with my builds I'd like to keep them out of harm's way and shield them from dust, I don't have space for a big display cabinet at present but was looking at acrylic box-type cases, Trumpeter do them but they seem horrifically expensive for what they are. Anyone got any pointers towards cases at reasonable prices?

Much appreciated.

 

[rochie]

Some on Amazon, search acrylic display case, £18 for 5 inch square case.

Ive been looking too as i need one for a 1/48 Spitfire i built for someone else

 

[36feet10inches]

Thanks I'll have a look.

 

[rochie]

These are a decent price !

UK Acrylic Display Case 6/7/10/15.4cm Perspex Box Plastic Base Dustproof Figures | eBay

 

[Crimea_River]

I have found the acrylic boxes to be stupid expensive and when I investigated making some myself out of acrylic sheet, the sheets themselves were expensive and so there was no saving. I eventually settled on a reasonably priced IKEA Billy Book Case with glass doors and shelves.

 

[Airframes]

Like Andy, I have some Ikea glass cabinets, in two sizes, plus two glass door bookcases that I use for my model displays.
However, at some point in the future, I'll need a case for a 1/48th scale Lancaster diorama, the base of which will be around 24 x 28 inches.
I found a couple of UK web sites where they will cut clear acrylic to the required size, and send by courier, and this looks like it will work out at around £20 to £25 for the required pieces to make a cover case to fit the diorama base, plus the clear epoxy adhesive with which to but-join the sections.
I also want to add extra shelves to some of my cabinets, and again, the clear acrylic works out a lot cheaper than the equivalent glass cut to size, which surprised me. The shelves work out at around £5 each, at a size of approximately 34 inches x 11 inches, whereas bevel-edge glass would be more than £15, nearer £20 !
If you don't have room for a full height cabinet, try searching (probably on e bay), for ex-shop display cases, the type that are 'counter height', used for jewelry, perfume and similar small objects, as they can often be found at reasonable prices.

Edited :- re-checked prices.

 

[vikingBerserker]

I use clear acrylic/glass food storage containers upside down.

 

[pgeno71]

Like Andy, I have some Ikea glass cabinets, in two sizes, plus two glass door bookcases that I use for my model displays.
However, at some point in the future, I'll need a case for a 1/48th scale Lancaster diorama, the base of which will be around 24 x 28 inches.
I found a couple of UK web sites where they will cut clear acrylic to the required size, and send by courier, and this looks like it will work out at around £20 to £25 for the required pieces to make a cover case to fit the diorama base, plus the clear epoxy adhesive with which to but-join the sections.
I also want to add extra shelves to some of my cabinets, and again, the clear acrylic works out a lot cheaper than the equivalent glass cut to size, which surprised me. The shelves work out at around £5 each, at a size of approximately 34 inches x 11 inches, whereas bevel-edge glass would be more than £15, nearer £20 !
If you don't have room for a full height cabinet, try searching (probably on e bay), for ex-shop display cases, the type that are 'counter height', used for jewelry, perfume and similar small objects, as they can often be found at reasonable prices.

Edited :- re-checked prices.

A place to look for display counters unfortunately may be small local businesses that have not survived the lockdown. I have also seen some in furniture resale stores.

 

[Airframes]

Yep, unfortunate, but true.
Also, if or when things get back to something like normal, some stores may remove the clear screens around counters and check-out stations, erected for safety reasons due to Covid, which could possibly be a source of cheaper clear sheeting.