Case or no case?

[Bill97]

I am curious as to how other builders display their completed models.

Do you build or purchase a case to display it in or do you have it free standing on shelf?

For years I have built a case to put my completed model in and currently have 6 large cases surrounding my ship room. I have another completed model not yet in a case and my current project under construction on my work table. I understand the benefits of a case like no dust collecting and safe from possible damage. On the other hand the model becomes rather two dimensional when trying to view it and cases take up much more room. Add to those cons is the simple economics. Building or purchasing a case can be close to half of what a new kit might cost. I am pricing out the materials to build a case for my large Heller HMS Victory and thinking wow! I would rather save that money to go toward my next kit, but at what possible “cost” to my beautiful model that took two years to build? 

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

  I've pondered of this situation before, and thought of one approach to try in our parlor.  A long shelf would be installed along one wall, perhaps just above 'chair rail' height, using brackets available in most home centers.  The brackets would be fastened into the studs behind the wall, found with a stud finder - they are generally spaced at 16" intervals, but can vary.  Wood shelving would lie on the brackets (and there are often a variety of available finishes - or fashion your own).  To get the length required, shelf ends can be held together on on the underside using thin metal joining strips fastened with short screws.

  Then a little above the tallest ship to go on that level, another long shelf is installed above ... and one could perhaps have three levels to display models.  At intervals on the front edges of the shelving would be spaced small threaded rods with the outside ends bent 90 degrees to make an "L" shape.  One could hang acrylic sheets from these retainers (through holes drilled into the acrylic), and each piece would be trimmed just long enough to cover the gap between the shelves (there would be a clear panel on the ends of the shelves.

  This arrangement would keep out most of the dust and provide a good view of the models, yet the models would be easily accessible by lifting and removing the acrylic sheet in front.  It would also be easy to re-arrange the display as desired.

[Knocklouder]

Good morning Bill.

This is my case for six of my models.  The three Columbus ships, A Mayflower  and a Sea of Galilee  boat. The five on top are  under a plexiglass case 18 inch by 60 inches. The river boat  is on the bottom waiting for me to finish it.Then I will put a plexiglass front on it. My Darkkar has yet to be cased but it is in a plastic  bag waiting for a case as well. 

 My Duchess of Kingston and my Pegasus  will go in their own case together. And will be by my chair in the lining room. Not far from my sight Lol.

 I left my Mayflower out for 10 months.  When I got back to it I was surprised at the amount of dust on it.

For me I would case my models , it took me along time to make them I want to keep them looking nice. Lol.

Bob M.

Edited December 2 by Knocklouder
Typos

[glbarlow]

I have 13 models sitting about the house, none have cases.  They are all fine, easy to view and seemingly much more a part of the home furnishings, at least to me. Dust is not a major issue, there just not that much of it. I turn them every 3-6 months and use a blower (not a high powered air can , but a more gentle blower) and soft brush to remove the dust that has collected. My oldest model was built in 2006. This process works for me, I just don’t like the concept of hiding them behind acrylic. 

Edited December 2 by glbarlow

[Bill97]

Sounds like a great idea Snug. I am hoping the price of Plexiglass starts to drop someday. That is what I use in my cases. Safety glass as big as I would need is out of the question cost wise. Since Covid with there being a big demand for Plexiglass for shields the cost has gotten crazy. Last time I bought a sheet to cut for a case it was $100+ for a 1/8”x4’x8’. My case design uses four sides and a top so for a large model there is a bunch of Plexiglass. 

[Bill97]

glbarlow that sounds pretty nice. I like the idea of it feeling more like part of the furnishings. I wonder if my airbrush set on low pressure would take care of most dust that would accumulate?  I think my problem is I build models that are big. My last was the Heller Soleli Royal. It ‘s case is 46”x33”. I know I will need one similar size for my HMS Victory and my OcCre Endeavour currently under construction. 

Edited December 2 by Bill97

[kurtvd19]

I always case my models.  For many years I made a lot of money repairing uncased models due to kids, animals and the accumulation of dirt on the models.  Rigging and sails exposed to the home or office environment take their toll.  I always advise modelers and owners to case their models.  Maybe not a consideration for modelers, but even with the higher cost of Plexiglas I always urge the owner to case the model because it is cheaper than paying somebody like me to clean and repair their uncased model.

 

Kurt

 

[Cathead]

I agree with Kurt, protecting models is important. Once dust and stuff starts accumulating it's surprisingly hard to get rid of it without damaging the model. But I also agree that individual cases get expensive fast and take up lots of room. My solution was to buy what's commonly called a curio cabinet, in my case from a Mennonite builder, in which I can display quite a lot of models in the same horizontal footprint as one or two individual model cases.

 

I have seven ship/boat models in this one case alone, plus three small nautical-themed models, and still have room left over for some neat natural stuff (rocks, bones, shells, etc.). This was obviously more expensive than any one case, but way more cost-efficient than all the cases I'd otherwise need. I've also been able to adjust shelf heights to match different models, again allowing more efficient displays than single models on their own. And it's quite attractive in the home.

 

The other upside to a curio cabinet is that's more flexible in the long run. A bunch of custom cases have little value beyond your specific model, and if/when you need to downsize, they may end up thrown out. A curio cabinet will hold a lot more resale value as they have a much broader appeal. And you can get them in various sizes depending on your needs.

 

[Bill97]

Thanks Eric. Good points. As I mentioned above my problem is my affinity for large models. As you can see in the picture of the cabinet I made above for my Soleil Royal it is a large piece of furniture. My plane was/is to make a second box a matching size to set on top of it for the HMS Victory you see setting on it. But as you said this piece of furniture has very limited use outside what it is designed for. 

[paul ron]

@cathead i like your cabinet idea. ive got several ships strategically located throughout the house. after the first few ships, i regularly dusted, just became a way to big of a chore. i have been saying ill build cases for them... some day.. and some day just never happens. the price of plastic is out of reach these days. but your furniture remedy is on the mark. i just need 4 of them at this point and ill be looking at glass.

 

btw buying used china cabinets may be the cheapest solution... im goint to start frequenting estate sales.

 

 

[Dziadeczek]

I recently finished a large (!) case for my huge (1:48) model of a French 74 guns 1780, building it 'El cheapo', from common materials from the internet, Home Depot and such...

I used plexiglass rather than ordinary glass - for obvious reasons. The pic shows the whole thing in a raw, unfinished state, however in the meantime I managed to finish (stain & polyurethane) it. Without much research, I obtained a gallon of oil-based poly and then I faced difficulties getting mineral spirits to make a wipe on poly from it. It turned out that some time ago California banned mineral spirits altogether. Fortunately, I had some old supplies of this stuff, but used them quickly, so reluctantly had to get some paint thinner (not the same stuff as mineral spirits!) and used it to thin the rest of my poly.

The finish did not turn out as I planned, but I guess, it is good enough...

Now I am waiting for my son to come home for the holidays, to help me to transport this dinosaur from my workshop to the case in the living room and protect it from the dust and "elements", so to speak...     🤥

 

 

[Snug Harbor Johnny]

4 hours ago, Bill97 said:

Sounds like a great idea Snug. I am hoping the price of Plexiglass starts to drop someday. That is what I use in my cases. Safety glass as big as I would need is out of the question cost wise. Since Covid with there being a big demand for Plexiglass for shields the cost has gotten crazy. Last time I bought a sheet to cut for a case it was $100+ for a 1/8”x4’x8’. My case design uses four sides and a top so for a large model there is a bunch of Plexiglass. 

    I noticed the high price of plexiglass also ...  but saw that thinner (and less heavy) acrylic sheets were much less.  So when I suggested acrylic, I wasn't referring to the  higher priced polycarbonate (plexiglass).  Glbarlow said that his models are not behind a barrier, and that he uses a gentle blower (perhaps a hair dryer blowing at low speed without heat) at intervals (quarterly?) to keep dust from accumulating.

 

  This is something I might try first, before going to the trouble to install any acrylic.  This is because our home has forced air HVAC for heating/cooling, and there is a BIG pre-filter that has an accordion shape for more surface area (the kind that removes allergens pollen) right before the air circulator.  I change this at least twice a year, and order replacement filters in a carton with 4 - and they cost $35 each (much lower than either the HAVAC man or retail).  The air handler runs continuously - which is better for the heating/cooling system and house comfort as well.  Its amazing how much stuff is taken out of the air by the filter.

[rwiederrich]

Well I need my models protected....I have 6 grandbabies.  the first case I made with glass  it weighs a ton.  I can disassemble the side and remove the model to flip it If I wish.

[rwiederrich]

This second model I decided to build the case into the wall and ceiling....resting on custom made brackets.  I used three sheets of plexiglass cut from a single 4X8 sheet.

[kurtvd19]

The downside I see to keeping models in a cabinet of any type is that when downsizing while the cabinet will have a resale value the models being sold off without a case will have less value.  Maybe it's a matter of when you think the cost vs resale value will benefit you the most.  I know some modelers who could finance their later years very well by the sale of their models so they get the money instead of their kids or other relatives.

[Bill97]

Kurt I have not given any thought to selling my models. I could can not imagine how you come up with a price to ask for one. That would be interesting. I have a couple from long ago that are pretty elementary most likely not worth much to anyone. But then I have a couple that took a couple years to build and are very nice. 

[paul ron]

i see the resale in the cabinets, not the models. i have seen models at estate sales, no one seems to want or offer only a few bucks for. many people ooo n ahhhh them but have the same problem we do... where to put them. fine if you have a fireplace mantel but not treasured like we do. hey building them isnt only about the boat, it has history n that is priceless. friends n relatives look at my ships n say they are great but really have no idea what they are looking at. 

 

then comes how to price a ship that took years to scratch build. what is your time worth?.. even at minimum wadge, we are in the thousand$. yeah Nice boat n move on. only a builder can appreciate them n they dont buy finished ships... we have our own head aches.

 

 

Edited December 3 by paul ron

[Cathead]

Kurt, fair point. To me, and I suspect many modelers, the point at which I sell or dispose of my models is when I can no longer appreciate them. So at that point it's up to the buyer/receiver to decide what's best for them. Maybe the new owner wants a different style of case, or has a pre-existing display setting (like their own curio cabinet).

 

For example, I've had some interest from a local historical society in some of my steamboat models. They wouldn't want them in individual cases, but would rather display them within a casing context they'd develop to fit their display hall. If that were to pan out, any time and money I had spent on custom cases would be a waste, because the new displayer doesn't want them and the custom case probably doesn't easily fit a different model I might later build (and same goes if I tried to sell the empty case to someone). Whereas the curio cabinet is much more flexible in receiving whatever new item I want to put into it, or in being passed along to someone else down the road.

 

Obviously the best approach varies by builder/owner. I just think it's worth putting the idea of the curio cabinet out there, because so many casing question on this forum assume that the only approach is to build/buy individual cases per model.

[thibaultron]

I have cats, case! I have an "in" for this preference, though. I have two large glass display cases I got free, one 5 feet long and 6 feet high, the other 6 feet long and the same height. I got these on a fluke of good luck. I also have a 5 foot long store counter cabinet that I bought when a thrift store was remodeling, another instance of being there at the right time!

Edited December 3 by thibaultron