TheRailwire
General Discussion => N and Z Scales => Topic started by: bbussey on July 19, 2012, 05:15:36 PM
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I'm out of space in the company display case, and the manufacturer that made this case no longer exists.
(http://www.bbussey.net/rr/WallCase.jpg)
I need a new wood display case. This one is 2ft x 4ft. I'd like to find one that is 3ft x 5ft, with the sliding plexiglass doors. Are any on the market, or am I out of luck and have to build my own?
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Todd Treaster (trainbuff1) is the king of display cases (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=20358.msg186809#msg186809). Maybe shoot him a PM?
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http://tracksidedisplays.com/HTML/N%20PAGE.html
I have their display cases in both N & HO scales. They have several attractive variations.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q8roMlaR9Co/UAiCjng6ggI/AAAAAAAAAvs/81EHXq61FIk/s712/IMG_1855.JPG)
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I ordered the ones from Fifer Hobby Supply but they are quite a bit smaller than the dimensions you have indicated.
TIm
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If you can get away from wood, the extruded aluminum components from Showcase Express are fantastic. Because you can butt sections end to end, an 8' long case is easy to build, and perfect to display full length passenger trains. And if your product line expands, it's easy to increase the size of the "case".
http://www.showcase-express.com/
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Todd Treaster (trainbuff1) is the king of display cases (https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=20358.msg186809#msg186809). Maybe shoot him a PM?
+1
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Here's the clean look of the aluminum Showcase Express case system. I started swapping out passenger trains with Z scale crap, but you can get an idea of what 8ft will fit.
(http://www.model160.com/mike/Showcase-Express-8ft.jpg)
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Here's the clean look of the aluminum Showcase Express case system. I started swapping out passenger trains with Z scale crap, but you can get an idea of what 8ft will fit.
The extruded aluminum might work. I'll have to run it by Gayle and see what she thinks. Are there grooves in the shelves that act as railroad rails, or does the equipment just sit in a channel? I'll check the website later tonight.
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The extruded aluminum might work. I'll have to run it by Gayle and see what she thinks. Are there grooves in the shelves that act as railroad rails, or does the equipment just sit in a channel? I'll check the website later tonight.
There are nice grooves that act as display track to keep equipment aligned on the shelves.
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Here's the clean look of the aluminum Showcase Express case system. I started swapping out passenger trains with Z scale crap, but you can get an idea of what 8ft will fit.
Boy would that look really nice if it were anodized black with brushed divider edges. The raw aluminium washes the models out, especially the stainless cars IMHO, but I love the refined look over the wood. Very nice.
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I made a bunch of these for myself,never though of making them to sell.They're 2' X 3',hold 75 or so locomotives.I made mine with swinging open plexiglass doors,but I could make them with sliding glass..Hafta consider pricing,never though about it before.Just the case,no glass,unfinished,maybe 100 bucks..Actually,a few years ago,I was considering unassembled kits,got really busy with my shop though.
(http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss53/LV_LOUIE/newdownload1724.jpg)
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Lou, I would love a few of those kits or unfinished cases.
Maybe we could set up a group buy if you and others are interested.
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Dan,I'll have to see what material would cost for them.The last one I cut out was four years ago.I make them from lattice,sometimes it's impossible to get.What I could do would be cut out all the shelves,sides,tops,and spacers,and ship just those pieces,and then you can assemble it yourself on a piece of Masonite.Masonite is dirt cheap,I think a 4 X 8 sheet is still less than ten bucks.You could make 4 cases from one sheet.I make smaller cases from Masonite,they cost almost nothing to make,but,they're a lot of work to cut out..I actually started making these for the Hallmark Ornaments,sold a bunch of them to friends..
(http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss53/LV_LOUIE/new_pic_download_089.jpg)
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Bryan,
my absolutely favorite case are made by Hotchkiss Mfg. They used to be a case manufacturer up to that early 2000s, producing cases for many US manufacturers of collectibles (like model cars, trains, baseballs, dolls, etc). Their cases used to be sold through Walthers and Micro-Mark. They closed up shop due to Chinese competition. WHen I needed more cases few years back I kept searching for them and I found out that the couple who were the owners (it was a Hotchkiss family business) still have the have a shop set up with all the equipment and they can still be hired to manufacture those cases. I bought my first Hotchkiss case back in the 90s. Since them I have bought several more (couple just last year).
The cases are made of oak and clear acrylic. I just love their open look. That is achieved by having the sides and front made from a single piece of acrylic. The top of the case is also clear. Yet the cases are dust-proof since they cover fits tightly all around the back and the base. The clear acrylic shelves also add to the open look. Here are couple of photos of one of the cases.
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/26/2700-151021000814-26132523.jpeg)
Clearcase01_800.jpg
(https://www.therailwire.net/forum/gallery/26/2700-151021000813-26079794.jpeg)
Clearcase02_800.jpg
What is really nice is that while they can custom make them in many possible sizes. They had several N scale size cases shown in their catalog but I further customized them by changing the shelf spacing and narrowing the shelf depth to 1". I also had them reduce the overall depth. As you can see, I installed pieces of Atlas flextrack on the shelves (using 00-90 screws, so there are no glue marks to show on the clear shelves). To make this easier for me to do I ask for the shelves to be shipped uninstalled. Since these are custom made, that is not a problem.
Let me know if you want more info. I have scans of their last printed catalog which can give you an idea about what they offer in standard sizes.
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Lou, just the back is masonite, correct?
The furnature in the room is birch, so any birch, pine or light colored wood would work.
Dan,I'll have to see what material would cost for them.The last one I cut out was four years ago.I make them from lattice,sometimes it's impossible to get.What I could do would be cut out all the shelves,sides,tops,and spacers,and ship just those pieces,and then you can assemble it yourself on a piece of Masonite.Masonite is dirt cheap,I think a 4 X 8 sheet is still less than ten bucks.You could make 4 cases from one sheet.I make smaller cases from Masonite,they cost almost nothing to make,but,they're a lot of work to cut out..I actually started making these for the Hallmark Ornaments,sold a bunch of them to friends..
(http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss53/LV_LOUIE/new_pic_download_089.jpg)
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Lou, just the back is masonite, correct?
The furnature in the room is birch, so any birch, pine or light colored wood would work.
Daniel,the small case with the cabooses is 12 X 18,it's solid Masonite.The big case is 24 X 36,that has a Masonite back with Pine Lattice for the wood.
Here's a question..Now,I have a lot of locos in a relatively small room,and I made those 2 X 3 Cases to fit available 18 X 24 Plexiglass.What size case would be the most popular? Long cases,square? I could easily make something like a semi standard size kit,say,3 feet or 2 feet high,and any length up to six feet or so custom order,just the shelves/sides in lattice,you supply the back..I'll have to check into wood to see what's even available these days.That's the big problem with making cases.Anything but pine is stupid expensive,and there really isn't anything available in small sizes unless you mill your own.
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The Showcase Miniatures units can also have mirrored backgrounds inserted, which opens them up a bit, visually.
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I think a 3x2 foot case would be a good size for me.
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An old thread, but I just placed my order for five 8’ sections. I emailed them on turn around time prior to ordering and they responded quickly stating most orders ship in less than 7 days.
https://www.showcase-express.com/
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[attachimg=2]i wound up getting a friend to make a case, this one is about three feet by five feet, cost was sixty dollars canadian [no doors] , and works well[attachimg=1]
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An old thread, but I just placed my order for five 8’ sections. I emailed them on turn around time prior to ordering and they responded quickly stating most orders ship in less than 7 days.
https://www.showcase-express.com/
Clever system. But, the basic 2x4' case with no extras or shipping is $420 if my math is correct?! I can't even imagine the cost of some of the wall to wall, floor to ceiling displays shown....😬
Otto K.
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Five 8’ sections with shipping cost me $411.
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I got a used one off of the auction site last year and it's a honey - had to look it up to figure out where it came from
"DisplayGifts.com".... they make an N-scale specific case that has a latched, swing-up glass front, all wood, very nice, grooves to hold things in. I didn't see any on their web page, asked, they are temporarily out of stock. Add that to your list of search sites. Nice long shelves, train size.
My father made one for me back in the 70's from his wood shop that I treasure, glass shelves, front swing door, but I don't have the talent to match that. I've taken two smaller display cases from Michaels and equipped them with glass shelves, that's worked, but they are rather small. So now I've got four, they aren't filled up....yet.
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I got the UPS shipping notice so it should be here by Monday.
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10 years later and I'm still happy with the Showcase Express cases too. Good choice.