New Display case for models

[civicex84]

Well I just purchased a new case to display some of my models. Only $20 bucks at Ikea. Got it for a steal. Hopefully I can get back to completing more projects in the future. Been away from the hobby for 7 months.





The bottom picture has a few WIP's.

[gtziaf]

Originally Posted by civicex84

Well I just purchased a new case to display some of my models. Only $20 bucks at Ikea. Got it for a steal. Hopefully I can get back to completing more projects in the future. Been away from the hobby for 7 months.

Nice and cheap!!
What about the gaps between the windows?

[nakturk]

Have been using two of this thing for about a year, bought from Ikea here for (much) more than 20 bucks
Anyway, although it's cool, downsides are:
- Can't stop dust
- Only three shelves at that height is a big waste of space, need more shelves to be added later

A circular opening exists at the top wooden part where some lighting can be installed.

[civicex84]

I figured I would have a dust problem and i did wish it had more shelves but for only $20. Cant beat it. And it does look nice at least

[nakturk]

Originally Posted by civicex84

I figured I would have a dust problem and i did wish it had more shelves but for only $20. Cant beat it. And it does look nice at least

For $20, I would buy more indeed

[NissanSkylineGTR98]

I have something very similar that I bought at JYSK. I just finished installing 4 additional shelves a few weeks ago. Well worth it IMO!

[CrateCruncher]

The $99 Ikea "Bertby" CD cabinet is one of the best for displaying 1/24th cars and 1/12 motorcycles in my experience. It's a 100% dust free enclosure and works well in hallways with halogen track lighting. Here's a pic:
http://www.consumer.org.hk/website/i...401/bertby.gif

The case pictured by the original poster would be good for 1/12th cars if you don't mind dusting occasionally. While $20 is a steal it was probably a one time scratch-n-dent item; they typically sell for about $75. You have to know a welder to change the shelf spacing because the supports are spot-welded to the frame.

Ikea have sold even better display cabinets in the past but sadly they have been discontinued. A lot of people liked the "Kryss" pictured in this link:
http://pages.interlog.com/~khartlen/gallery/images/kryss01.jpg

[KevHw]

I have two as well. I agree with everything nakturk said about it too. One other thing is that I can only really fit 3-4 car models per shelf, so they don't have that much space, but it's quite cheap and a nice display cabinet nonetheless. Dust is a slight problem but the only gaps are on the front either side of the door. Not too hard to seal off.

[nakadds]

I have one of those Kryss case. Holds lot of cars but does not keep the dust out.

I've been wanting to get one of these:
http://commerce.idmi.net/ecommerce/c...I=405&PI=7813#

Has anyone got one? Any comments?

[civicex84]

Yea the only gaps are the ones in the front, the rear is sealed. I would like to add extra shelves but I wouldnt know where to begin. I really dont want to take it all apart and have new bars welded on.

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by CrateCruncher

The $99 Ikea "Bertby" CD cabinet is one of the best for displaying 1/24th cars and 1/12 motorcycles in my experience.

I think close, direct lighting is essential to display models, especially 1/24 and smaller ones.

Is there any reason that small stick-on shelf lights couldn't be attached to the bottom of every other shelf? Seems like that would really look great.

[CrateCruncher]

Nice idea! When I installed my Bertby I considered installing LED rope lights vertically on the door in each corner. There was no AC outlet closeby so I would have had to do some house wiring and the ropes I looked at weren't very bright. At that point in the project I was wanting to just get it done so went instead with track lighting. It required adding a leg to my hall light wiring but I felt more confident about the outcome. Halogen track lights are BRIGHT! Downsides for exterior lights are that they lose intensity toward the bottom of the case and when you look closely into the display you block the light.

I'm sure interior lighting is doable. One thing I was concerned about is heat buildup, however. The case is airtight so a big heat producer like halogens or incandescents might melt your models. If one were to install 9 LED clusters on the underside of each shelf that would seem ideal. Battery power would get old quick, however. Imagine having to open the case and turn on 9 individual lights not to mention the cost of all the batteries. AC power would be the way to go in my view. The wires could be threaded through the back of the case where they would be wired in parallel to a transformer bolted onto the bottom of the case near an AC outlet. Each car would hide the LED cluster underneath it. Quick disconnects or bayonets near each LED cluster might be a practical way to allow the shelves to be removed for cleaning. A remote power switch at waist level would be convenient too so we wouldn't be stooping over to plug in the transformer each time.

I'm thinking about buying another Bertby for my growing model display. If you decide to do something with one please do a thread so the rest of us can benefit!