Plans/advice for model boat display case?

[Dave Leishman]

Hi all. I've been loitering here for some time as a guest and have found the information in the forums very useful.

I decided to join and seek some help on a prject I want to tackle in the next couple of months.

My primary hobby is model boat building, and I specialise in building model fishing boats and trawlers. I'm currently building a model of a Scottish trawler for one of the crewmembers and he's asked for a case with the model.

I did think about buying a case, but I've a workshop full of woodworking equipment, and have some skill in making sawdust, so I thought I'd give it a go myself.

I want to build one similar to the one shown at the bottom of the page at this link, but out of beech. The top would be a complete unit (ie, no hinged or lift-off lid) and would rest on the plinth. The model could be accessed (if necessary) by lifting off the entire glass part.

I'm not sure about two things. The best joints to use for the strips between the glass and the best means of encapsulating the glass between the strips of wood.

I was wondering if anyone had made something similar before and if any plans were available for such a display case?

Thanks in advance for any help

Dave

 

[mailee]

Hello and welcome Dave, I am no expert but have been building cabinets for a number of years now as a hobby. The way I would tackle this problem is by making a solid wood plinth at first with a routed finish around the edge and a raised centre to locate the framework of the glass cabinet. As for the framework for the glass I would make four side frames with M&T, biscuit or pocket screw joints glued together. Another frame for the top with a routed edge could then be biscuit jointed, Tennoned, or doweled on to the side frames. All the frames would require a rebate to take the glass of course which could be held in with silicone or a seperate bead attached from behind. I am astaounded by the prices of these cabinets on the website I must admit and think I am building the wrong articles! Anyway this is just my appraoch to this and I m sure there will be more replies by someone who has more expertise in this field than I. Hope this is of some use to you. :wink:

 

[Newbie_Neil]

Hi Dave

Welcome to the forum.

I've had a quick search and none of the plans were suitable.

Cheers
Neil

 

[jasonB]

Kevin Ley made about a dozen or more a few months back in Furniture & Cabimet making magazine, I can dig it out later and see whats in there and scan it if you like.

I have made smaller ones for model figures. Basically a grove on the base to that the glass, four glass sides with the edges covered by an "L" shaped moulding, I id use a wooden top routed the same way as the base.
The one in this pic is about 13" tall.

Jason

 

[woodbloke]

Hi Dave - I have consulted my bible 'Techniques of Furniture Making' by Joyce on showcase joints and there is a comprehensive section with diagrams on making them, however he does say and I quote.... "and special cements for gluing glass panels at right angles to each other have largely done away with the necessity for these wood joints, which are now of academic interest only" - Rob

 

[Dave Leishman]

Thanks for all the replies guys they're all appreciated

Jason - if you can find the article and the time to scan it (or copy/send it at my cost) I'd very much appreciate it.

Rob - I guess modern techniques have replaced the traditional ways of building the cases, but I prefer the case to be a nice piece of furniture rather than an upturned aquarium :wink: Out of interest, is the book you refer to this one (Amazon link), and is it any good?

 

[woodbloke]

Dave - correct. My original edition was recommended to me by Barnsley trained maker as the only tome on cabinet techniques needed - everything you need to know in one volume. The latest edition has additions by Alan Peters so is probably better than the original - Rob

 

[Dave Leishman]

Thanks Rob. I actually took a chance, ordered it on Amazon and it arrived on Saturday.

I found the section you referred to. Some of the joints pictured there look far too complicated for me to attempt, but I'll certainly make use of the book.

Thanks for the info on it

Dave