discussion Display dilemma sorted! (well, kind of...)

[Guest]

Storing and displaying scale models turned into a bigger problem than I'd expected, and sooner than expected too...
So far I've tried to put them a bit here and there but some of them have already begun collecting dust and dusting models with pigments is, well, a huge problem, so I decided to make some display cabinets to store them safely and in a dust free environment!

I made up some plans and designed the cabinets in AutoCAD but I soon realised that it wasn't going to be cheap to have glass ordered and cut, and there was going to be a lot of work building these - in a cold workshop...

...but then I had the idea that I was just going to have a quick look in IKEA to see if they had anything, and you know what - they had the perfect thing!
Cheaper than I could build too!!!

The display cabinet DETOLF and the matching led light LEDBERG is what I've ordered. 4 of them to be precise.
I even ordered home delivery which wasn't expensive either so I don't have to do the horrible trip to IKEA this close to Christmas...

The dimensions are:

They only costed £45 each and the home delivery was ~£35-ish.

The interior size is big enough to even house my Haunebu II (if I cut down the diorama I've begun to build a bit) and should fit 4 1/35 scale StuG III on each shelf.

I will add a piece of led strip on each shelf to illuminate all models properly, and if placed next to each other I've got a sturdy modular display cabinet for much less than it'd costed me to build them myself!

Ok, I haven't seen them in person yet so I can't vouch for the quality, but they look descent enough on the pictures.

It feels odd when DIY is more expensive than buying ready made stuff, but they're probably made in China or similar and things are just so much cheaper there than here.

They should arrive on the 29:th of November so I can update with pictures then. They will even carry them into my house for that cost. Not bad!

Edit: I forgot. Each shelf can take 3.5 kg so no worries for elaborate dioramas as long as they fit!

 

[PaulTRose]

they are ok, been using them for years.....theres a guy on ebay sells clips so you can double up the shelves, and i think ikea sell additional shelves as spares so you dont have to get them custom cut.........dust still gets in though

 

[Guest]

Have fun filling them Jens.

 

[Guest]

they are ok, been using them for years.....theres a guy on ebay sells clips so you can double up the shelves, and i think ikea sell additional shelves as spares so you dont have to get them custom cut.........dust still gets in though

Extra shelves will be useful down the line. I'll figure out what's best as soon as I've got them and have used them for a while.
Some dust will sneak in unless you seal it up properly, but it must be miles better still than having them on just open shelves!

 

[PaulTRose]

you cant seal them completely, theres a 5 mm gap all the way round the door

i used to take everything out twice a year and clean it all

but yes, still better than just a shelf

 

[Guest]

You can apply a wiper type sealant around the door, like the ones used in shower cabinets, I guess, but that's taking it a bit too far...
It's going to be miles better than without cover so I'm pleased regardless!

 

[Ian M]

I have two in the living room and although not dust tight the dust that actually gets in and settles on the models is minimal.
(Yes I'm allowed to have models on display in the living room).
Might have to look int those clips for extra shelves Paul.

 

[papa 695]

Great idea Jens