Model ship display making

[Michelnou]

I should want to know how to fix display glass wall in grooved wood rods.

 

I thank you for the advices.

 

Mike

[Philly]

Use a thin bead of clear silicone 

[Charles Green]

Some allowance for ventilation is recommended.  The grooves will do the job of holding the glass.  A loose fit (0.005 inch/0.13 mm oversize) will not be large enough to draw attention and will help with air exchange.

[Roger Pellett]

Mike,

 

I have a simple design for building glass display cases.  The bottom is a made up of four  pieces like a picture frame.  Each end is mitered at a 45 degree angle It’s dimensions are calculated to fit over the base that supports the model.  I have a set of 90 degree angle picture frame clamps that I use when gluing it together.  Before gluing the pieces together I cut a notch in each mitered end.  When glued together these notches form a square hole.  The four uprights fit into these holes.

 

I use my table saw to groove each of the wooden members.  I have a saw blade that cuts a groove slightly wider than 1/8in wide.  American “ single strength” glass easily fits into these grooves.  I do not need to use glue to secure the glass.

 

A picture might explain things better.

 

Roger

 

 

[Michelnou]

Roger,

How is fixed the upper side of your display ?

 

Mike

[wefalck]

I have done it the same way as Roger, gravity keeps everything together.

 

In fact the four stiles are somewhat shorter than the glass panes so that the glass fits into notches in the lid. The lid can be either solid (makes the glass case dark) or a frame with glass in it.

 

This frame can be constructed in (at least) two ways:

 

- the window-carpenter's way, that is like a picture frame into which you drop the glass and then secure with four narrow battens nailed to the inside of the frame

 

- I used metal corner pieces to keep the frame together and I cut a groove into the four parts of the frame.

 

The fairly big (80 cm long, 60 cm high, 20 cm deep) glass case has survived several house moves, I just taped down the lid for extra security.