| Do you build or collect large scale model cars just to | | | | the next section of wood when you are ready. Now |
| find that they end up sitting on a stray shelf | | | | you are ready to finish the framework underneath. |
| collecting dust? Do you wonder if there is anything | | | | If you want your display about waist high then you |
| that you could do that would help display them in a | | | | will have to base your measurements on your own |
| much more enjoyable manner? No problem! You can | | | | waist. Mine for example is about 36 inches high. I |
| build a display case to house them in. If you have | | | | would need to subtract the width of the top of the |
| ever spent much time in a museum then you might | | | | frame and the bottom of the frame and the distance |
| have noticed that the right display can make all the | | | | left would be the length of the 2x4 supports I would |
| difference between a 'good' and 'great'. | | | | need to cut. In this case it would be 32 inches each. |
| First, you will want to decide exactly how many of | | | | If you want your display to hold a good deal of |
| your model cars you want to display in the case. This | | | | weight then it is a good idea to add extra supports |
| will help you to determine the overall size of the shelf | | | | on each side. Line your 2x4 sections up one at a time |
| section of your case. You will also have to decide if | | | | with the screws that you first installed in the top |
| you want to add in little touches to make it more of | | | | section and screw them on. The screws should be be |
| a scene than just a static display. This could mean | | | | long enough to pull the parts together without going |
| adding fuel pumps and gas attendants or some other | | | | all the way through. |
| such model figures to help add a bit of realism to | | | | Once you have the legs on, you can install the |
| your cars. | | | | bottom section. The bottom will basically be the |
| Once you have decided this then you can start | | | | same as the framed section of the top part |
| thinking about how much space you need. For | | | | consisting of four 2x4s lying flat and screwed into |
| example if you will be displaying three 1:8 scale cars | | | | the legs above them. |
| and they are going to work together in a scene then | | | | Next you are ready to add the side panels. All you |
| you might need a board roughly roughly three feet | | | | have to do is to cut plywood to fit over the sides of |
| wide and between five and seven feet long. This will | | | | your display base. Make sure that you measure each |
| give you enough space to place your model cars | | | | section before you cut your plywood. It is better to |
| three wide and angle them slightly so that they are | | | | measure three times and cut once than the opposite. |
| not placed straight across. | | | | Screw them into place with some 1/2 inch screws |
| The best sort of board for a display such as this is 1 | | | | and you are done with the base, other than adding |
| 2 inch plywood. It can be stained and made to look | | | | any decorative trim that you might want. |
| nice once it has a finish on it. The next thing you | | | | If you want to finish your plywood to give it color |
| must do is to decide how high you want it to stand. | | | | you can now do so. Make sure you have plenty of |
| For support, you need to frame the underside with | | | | ventilation and wear respiratory protection while |
| 2x4 lumber. Pine is fine because when you are | | | | painting the plywood. |
| finished you will not be able to see it. Screw the | | | | If you want to cover your model cars then you can |
| plywood onto the wide side of the 2x4 making sure | | | | either purchase Plexiglas sheets (which you can cut |
| that each piece you cut will fit into place before you | | | | and make into a box shape to set over your display), |
| screw it down. Use 4 inch screws so that they will | | | | or you can get fancy and have a glass cutter cut out |
| be long enough for the next step of the project. | | | | individual panes and then you can frame them in on |
| Make sure that you do not go all the way through | | | | top of your display. Either way, your model car |
| the plywood and 2x4 underneath. You just want the | | | | display will look great and you can proudly show it to |
| bare tip poking through so you can easily start into | | | | others. |