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Should I make a cabinet or shelves
- Thread starter vinnyw
- Start date
I've got 2 sets of shelves that are about 6ft long by 2.5 ft deep. The shelves are about half an inch thick supported by 3 x 4 timber (deliberately over engineered to take the weight of loads of tank rounds). The front of the shelves is perspex that screws into place and is quite easy to take of if needed.
The advantage - you never have to do any dusting!
Think big when you build, the collection will probably grow. :tinysmile_grin_t:
Dave.
The advantage - you never have to do any dusting!
Think big when you build, the collection will probably grow. :tinysmile_grin_t:
Dave.
vinny.
I can understand dust, but I also understand that you can sit down and design the biggest baddast most wonderful shelf or display case, and in a few months or a few years your collection will no longer fit it, or not work out with the current design as you would then like to display it. All this being said, maybe start out with something flexible like a 2 X 12 on cinder blocks, or even a book case, that has the adjustment tracks on the sides to adjust how tall the shelves are. You can buy those perforated strips and nail on the inside of a box, so you can adjust the shelves yourself. Rearrange your collection a few times, figure out what goes with what and how you want it organized. Today you might want it organized by cartridge size, tomorrow you might want it organized by country, or by the time period (WWI versus WWII, Korea, Nam, Gulf, etc.) The key for me, is to have something that is adjustable so that when the contents change, you can change the spacing on the shelves. Glass is great to have in front of a case to keep hands and dirt out, but its a pain to photograph through, and if you want to take things out to look at them or show them to people, then you are constantly opening the doors. A little thinking and pondering as to how you want to show and display and enjoy your collection will save you a lot of time later on.
I can understand dust, but I also understand that you can sit down and design the biggest baddast most wonderful shelf or display case, and in a few months or a few years your collection will no longer fit it, or not work out with the current design as you would then like to display it. All this being said, maybe start out with something flexible like a 2 X 12 on cinder blocks, or even a book case, that has the adjustment tracks on the sides to adjust how tall the shelves are. You can buy those perforated strips and nail on the inside of a box, so you can adjust the shelves yourself. Rearrange your collection a few times, figure out what goes with what and how you want it organized. Today you might want it organized by cartridge size, tomorrow you might want it organized by country, or by the time period (WWI versus WWII, Korea, Nam, Gulf, etc.) The key for me, is to have something that is adjustable so that when the contents change, you can change the spacing on the shelves. Glass is great to have in front of a case to keep hands and dirt out, but its a pain to photograph through, and if you want to take things out to look at them or show them to people, then you are constantly opening the doors. A little thinking and pondering as to how you want to show and display and enjoy your collection will save you a lot of time later on.
Vinny,
I've got both and much of it depends on what sort of items you want to display, as well as how often you will take them out to let people examine them. Generally I use the glass cabinets for items that are small, easily lost, fragile, or security concerns. The more common, heavy items go on normal shelves. Keep in mind that the glass cabinet gets more expensive, and you can have issues with safety of the glass. Something that has happened to everyone is that on occasion things fall over. An incident like that with large items and glass doors can have serious consequences. If you are limited on space and cannot do more than one type of shelf you could consider splitting the difference, open shelves below, glass enclosures above.
I've got both and much of it depends on what sort of items you want to display, as well as how often you will take them out to let people examine them. Generally I use the glass cabinets for items that are small, easily lost, fragile, or security concerns. The more common, heavy items go on normal shelves. Keep in mind that the glass cabinet gets more expensive, and you can have issues with safety of the glass. Something that has happened to everyone is that on occasion things fall over. An incident like that with large items and glass doors can have serious consequences. If you are limited on space and cannot do more than one type of shelf you could consider splitting the difference, open shelves below, glass enclosures above.
highlandotter
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
for small stuff, like up to 37mm, sliding glass doors are great. I have near 200 items in a 4' x4' cabinet. Shelves are adjustable via perforated stips. Due to earthquakes, I have drilled holes in 3/4 plywood to support bases. The first dommino effect brought on that modification. The labor involved with dusting can be enormous. The sliding glass doors are 1/4" plate glass, which, though heavy, allows easy removal for access to rounds and rearranging. The frame is 3/4 solid oak and the top,bottom and back are 3/4 oak playwood. Birch would do as well or even fir. The biggest task is finding the hardware for the doors. May have to have it special ordered from a good hardware store if there is still one in your area. For larger rounds, heavy shelves with adjustable hardware are great, and as they are larger and heavier, more stable, but in earthquake areas, should have some sort of barrier to prevent falling.I have used a 4" tall strip of 3/4 plywood on top of shelf and a block to prevent sideways movment.
Thank you everybody for your comments,I got some ideas and think I have a plan now.The only thing I,m apprehence about is once I decide with a certain style I will fell that I need to stay with it.My Mother always told me I never matched and I had no clue even what she ment.But I guess its really not that big of deal.Im really lucky I display at a museum,even with my limited budget,its been a good experence and I have learned alot.Like one of my teachers said when you start teaching is when you really start learning youself.
I will post pictures when I get started in a month or so.
Thank you all again
Vinny
I will post pictures when I get started in a month or so.
Thank you all again
Vinny