I was looking at display cases and found that decent cases were really expensive- I have a friend who is a master carpenter /furniture maker and he was appalled at the prices. He has agreed to produce cases for a fraction of the cost that most sites have them - the big difference is that he will use quality hardwoods like Maple and White oak- he has completed a case I will have my model in for Wonderfest that is made out of Walnut! I told him I would share this and see if anyone is interested. Please let me know if you are interested so I can let him know, if there is enough interest he can start making them. He asked about sizes and I thought 12"x12" or 12"x18" would he ample for most of our models - smaller would be cheaper. Mike will be at Wonderfest with me and will answer any questions - he is NOT a vendor this is a favor to me and he will not be making a lot on these. Just let me know what you want size, material and if you want all plexiglass, glass, veneer to match the case , mirror or any combination of these. plexi on 3 sides and mirror in the back etc.

Approx how much at lowest cost, for a 12" wide x 30 long" x 30" tall? for a nearly finished tall ship that currently resides under a trash bag dust tarp.

material? all glass sides , top! Iwill get this to Mike

As a quick poll - what size case would most people want? 12"x12"x12" / 12"x12"x18" or something smaller8"X10"x12" or 10"X10"x12"

John,

Just to throw this out there for the thought process:

What's the most common sized tank (1/35th and 1/48th?)...Tiger's, Panther's, Sherman's...others?

What's the most common sized plane (1/48th and 1/72nd)....Mustang, BF109....others?

It'll make it much easier if your contact were to focus on some sizes that would fit the "most" common sized vehicle.

I thought about doing this myself..... full wood shop has been started in my garage (all tools are there, just need to "set it up".....so I, along with many others, could do the same).

Somewhere out there is a common denominator for tanks, aircraft, ships, and figures. All that's needed is to determine about three or four sizes for each category of model and build those. If it's too small, go to the next size. If it's too big, fill it with ground, runway, or whatever.

Custom is different and needs to be dealt with as just that; a one-off. Send me specific dimensions and I can do that....other wise, here are your choices. Done deal.

Most buyers will be happy with the "standard" sizes...yet you will have the one that demands "specifics." All's good...that's a one-off. "Redshirt" is a prime example of this....he has a specific need; deal with it as such. Easy....

Here's something else: WE (as in those with the equipment and abilities) know what it really costs to build something like this (wood [oak, walnut, cherry, pine , and others)] and the glass or plexi). Were I to do one, just one, I would charge X dollars. Were I to do several? Price would be a lot less...one "setup," many products. If I were to charge say $25 for a 12"x12"x6" (oak and glass) for one, more than likely, if the demand were there for 10 of them....I'd go $15 to $20 for a quantity order....less were it the same customer....only because my time doing the setup is done for one....setup for the others is already taken care of.

Anyhow, food for thought.

Mike

Off the top of my head, for 1/35 armor, I'd say 13"x8"x8" should be large enough for the vast majority of tanks and other vehicles, including modern armor (with antennas mounted). For WWII tanks, the size could be smaller.

"If I were to charge say $25 for a 12"x12"x6" (oak and glass) for one" - if you can do it for that - be my guest! You must have one hell of a source for 1/8 plexiglass and walnut!

Walnut- 12" wide lumber
1" thick - Priced Per Board Foot; from USA
$13.00

thats 12"x12"x1"- dont forget this is just the base no uprights and no plexiglass - you need at least 2 board ft. to build the case and 4 sides and a top- the wood is 26.00. alone. If you are unsure of costs please don't offer unrealistic advice, check the cost of display cases online - you are in for a suprise!

John,

The dollar figure was figurative.....hypothetical. I know the cost of wood and plexi.....regardless, that was not the point of my post. My advice and the intent of my post (IGNORE the dollar amount) is realistic: determine the "common" sizes and set up for those. The amount of time per unit will be greatly reduced with an assembly-line setup, thereby reducing the cost to the maker per unit.

I was also referring to oak, not walnut, as that is the wood I prefer to work with. Anyhow.

[EDIT: For others that are interested in this type of product, please excuse my use of ANY dollar amounts in previous threads. Those amounts were strictly used as "what-if" examples to show that the cost could be reduced to the maker and buyer.....my apologies if any interested parties thought that dollar amount amounted to a quote for a case.]

Merely trying to help, not hinder. My bad.

Mike

Totally cool - I was shocked at the cost of wood when I first learned about it