Glass Display Cabinets

[Y2kGoofball]

ok I know this type of question has been asked, and talked about, to the death but here goes anyway

Currently ive got a fairly large timber style display cabinet (with glass doors)

It holds 4 x 1:18 visble scale cars across the shelves with a bit of a gap to see the side of the cars, or I can compress it to about 6 cars if squeezed in together.

Problem is I lose alot of space thanks to the timber panelling.

I am currently looking at options of expanding. Next to the cabinet is a computer desk but its going shortly which will allow me to use the entire wall.

My question is this, does anyone know of anywhere in Sydney that sells jewellry or mobile phone shop style glass cabinets? Someone once suggested to me some shopfitters may sell second hand cabinets theyve removed from shops, but I havent come across any yet.

I also got the idea off someone who stopped into a jewellry shop that was closing and brought a fairly large cabinet for $800 as the owner no longer had a need for it. This was going back a few years though and was pure luck the store owner owned the cabinets.

I thought I'd ask here as a start, I'm sure you can picture the type of cabinet I'm thinking of, glass with glass shelves, similar to the mobile phone type ones!

Any help is better then no help!

Cheers

[zardos_demon]

Well, I can't really help but I can make a few suggestions. Ebay would be one but there would be problems if you bought it from overseas and the glass broke. Another would be Second hand shops or if you're really lucky, garage sales. Other than that, I wouldn't know. Once you do find one, let us know. I also need one.

[Kiwiracing]

You could try Prouds or Angus and Coote Jewellers, they have their HO's in Sydney, maybe they are doing refit's.

Cheers
Kiwiracing

[inter]

Capral aluminium sell aproduct called "Q Block"
It is a basic aluminium tubolar frame for shelving

The only down side you must build your own.

inter

[arthur]

Ex jewelry cases etc. are a good idea, but its pretty hard to find any in good condition at a reasonable price (I guess you just have to be in the right place at the right time)
I've just recently set up a display wall (finally :cool: ) using glass door cabinets from Ikea, (Billy storage system, see link)

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Cate goryDisplay?storeId=18&langId=-26&catalogId=10101&categoryId=10514&cattype=sub

around 2.8M long X 2M high It consisted of 3 double glass door cabinets and 2 open end units. By adding extra shelves you can fit 8 shelves per unit, each shelf easily fits 4 X 1:18 models on an angle, but if you place them front on you could probably get 6 to a shelf. You do loose a bit of viewing area due to the timber frame around the glass, but I figure if you are showing them to someone you can always open the doors.
The whole setup with extra shelves etc, cost around $1000
Not real cheap but I've been hanging off for a while and finally decided to bite the bullet.
It may not be exactly what you're looking, but may be worth a look. It was about the best (easiest) value for money I found after a year or so of looking around.
I'll post a pic if you are interested.

[MarkHM]

Here's my plan. I've got a horizontal display case that takes up too much footprint area and my financial controller told me I'm not allowed to buy a purpose built display case.. What I intend to do is get hold of an MDF bookcase (vertical) and remove the timber shelves, replace them with glass. Install a couple of halogen downlights in the ceiling and voila. The biggest single cost will be the front door in glass (or perspex?). I can add as many shelves as I need I (within reason) to house my ever-expanding Brock colction (mind you it's not expanding as fast as I'd like). I intend to hinge the front door with kitchen joinery type hinges and perspex might be a god option as self-tapping screws can fasten the 2 together. Oviously, a side-on view will be impossible, but I thnk it will still look OK. Thebiggest gripe I have with the shop fitters versions are the huge gaps in the corners which sem like a great place for dust to enter and I'd be forever cleaning my models. That's my 2 cents worth

[KiwiRallyFan]

I have brought two very good display cabinets off TradeMe (NZ's version of e-Bay). Both required a bit of restoring, one required extra glass shelves, and one I stuck mirrors on the back which totally transformed it. One of the cabinets cost me about $150, and the second about $500 by the time I added the extra glass shelves and mirrors. That second cabinet will hold about 40 1/18 models, while the first holds 22.

What I suggest is that you keep an eye on e-Bay (or TradeMe for Kiwis). There are some very good bargains there as display cabinets don't seem to be in huge demand, and the prices are much cheaper than new cabinets.

[biante 3605]

You might want to try some of the auction houses around, I picked up a nice cabinet 2mx1mx.5m with two full length laminated glass doors for $65 dollars all i had to do was buy some glass shelves (10 x $30 each) and drill some support holes. For under $400 it was a bargin. It only has 30 x 1:18 in it at present but it will hold maybe 110 .sorry i cant post a photo i just cant downsize it enough.

[a9x308]

For those in Perth or South, I just bought a double display cabinet
with two large glass panels on the front that allows the models to be featured and not the cabinet. the doors are on the side it is mirror backed has five glass shelves and a halogen light. And to top it off it matches the minister for war's furniture. I bought it at Peter Hayes Furniture Gallery in Bunbury for $899.

Matty

[a9x308]

I am trying for the first time to post some pics, please forgive my ignorance if they don't work:D

[Y2kGoofball]

wow! thanks for the replies!!!

I'll go through them one by one to show you all I care lol!

Zardos - great to see you here ol pal! I am looking at ebay at the moment, but thanks for the suggestion

Kiwi I will, I didnt realise their Head Offices were in Sydney, I'll give them a call!

Inter I'll look into that, do you have a website or more info?

arthur it sounds sort of like what ive got now, but I'm still interested. Some questions, how many in total does it hold now and yes please send me photos (they can be emailed to y2k@v8superforum.com or uploaded here for all to see)

Mark yes, thats an idea in the making and I'd be interested to see how it works out if you do get around to it

Kiwi, sounds like you got a good buy there. Once again I will keep an eye on Ebay

biante 3605 I might start checking out the auctions too, I cant believe I forgot all about that!

a9x308 dont worry, it helps to learn new things (upload pics) and yes, sounds like you got a good deal too!

Thanks once again guys for all your replies!

[biante2959]

Have a look at a thread called Display Cabinets Iam sure there is a place in Penrith that sells Model Display Cabinets.

[Y2kGoofball]

theres a few that sell timber ones (which is what ive got now) but I am trying to hunt down a glass one if possible.

[biante2959]

Originally posted by Y2kGoofball
theres a few that sell timber ones (which is what ive got now) but I am trying to hunt down a glass one if possible.

Have a look at the reply from GRP111, I think this might be what you are looking for.

[arthur]

Originally posted by Y2kGoofball
wow! thanks for the replies!!!

I'll go through them one by one to show you all I care lol!

arthur it sounds sort of like what ive got now, but I'm still interested. Some questions, how many in total does it hold now and yes please send me photos (they can be emailed to y2k@v8superforum.com or uploaded here for all to see)

Thanks once again guys for all your replies!

At 4 per shelf, it easily holds 118 models (you could fit 5 per shelf fairly easily)
You also have the option of using the top of the unit with perspex display boxes. At the moment I have some of my daughters models (shes a "Back to the Future" fan) stored up there, but am planning on populating it with the perspex display boxes.
I'm also thinking of changing some of the shelving from timber to glass and adding some lighting, its still a work in progress :)

Anyway heres a couple of photos (when admin approves)

[arthur]

and the second one ..

[Y2kGoofball]

arthur, that is looking alot like what I am after

By looking at your setup thats currently like what Ive got now (4 cars per shelf at an angle) but the cabinet is no where near that size which is what I really need!

biante2959 thanks, I'll have a look now for that post!

[Goodwrench3]

Originally posted by a9x308
For those in Perth or South, I just bought a double display cabinet
with two large glass panels on the front that allows the models to be featured and not the cabinet. the doors are on the side it is mirror backed has five glass shelves and a halogen light. And to top it off it matches the minister for war's furniture. I bought it at Peter Hayes Furniture Gallery in Bunbury for $899.

Matty

That sounds like the go Dude. Can you give us the size measurements?

[a9x308]

No worries mate i'll have a measure for you tonight.

Matty