Have you ever tried collecting large model trucks just to find that they end up sitting somewhere and getting ignored? Is there any way at all that you can display these big models so that they will make much more of an impact? You could just pack them away in a box and take them out from time to time or you could actually build a display case for them. If you have ever noticed a museum display then you might have seen that they can make all the difference in the world between a mediocre display and a truly awesome one.
One of the first things to decide is how many of the model trucks you have assembled will need to go into your new display case. The flat part of your display case will partially be determined by this number. It will also make a big difference if you are going to make it a diorama or if it will be a static display. You might add any number of different touches just depending on what sort of truck it is that you have assembled.
Now that you know roughly how much space you need you will then better be able to decide how much space you will need in your home. One example of this would be for a 1:8 scale truck. If you are going to display two of them then you are going to need a board that is roughly three foot long and about four or five feet long. You will then have the space you will need to have your models placed where you want them and you will also be able to angle them so that they are not exactly parallel.
One of the best boards that you can use for this would be 1/4 inch plywood. This wood can look very nice if it has been properly treated. You must first stain it and then add a finish. Next you will want to figure out exactly how high it needs to be. One of the best steps to take first would be to provide support to the underside of the plywood deck. 2X4 lumber can work perfectly for this purpose. You might also want to use pine since it can be much more cost effective. Also, it will be out of sight once you have finished it. Once you have fixed the framework in place on the underside you will then be prepared to build the tall portion of the display. This part will be easy after having finished the first.
If the display is to be slightly higher than your waist then you should use the height of your own waist as the base measurement and build from there. An example of this would be as follows: If your waist is roughly 37 inches high then you would subtract the height of the top frame and the bottom frame from this number. You will then have the relative length that your support legs will need to be. In this case it would need to be 33 inches long on each one. If you intend to place a good deal of weight on your display then you might want to add extra support. Place each of your sections and attach them one at a time. Make sure that your screws are long enough to go through the plywood and both 2x4s so that you get the most support possible. This will pull everything down tight and give it the support it needs.
The last part of the base is the bottom. This will be basically the same as the top section as far as the 2×4 frame. Once this is in place you can then add your side panels. These just need to be plywood sections cut to fit over the holes on the side of the display case. Make sure that you measure these a couple times before you choose to cut them so that you do not chance a mistake. It is much cheaper to measure than it is to replace. Screw these down with some 1/2 inch screws and you will be done with the base. The only thing that you will have to do is add some trim and some finish as well.
If you want to add a cover to your display then you can use glass or you can purchase Plexiglas and cut it to fit in a box shape. This will look nice placed over your new model truck display. You can now be proud to show it to show it off to your friends and family.
If you want to cover your model cars then you can either purchase plexiglass sheets which you can cut and make into a box shape to set over your display or you can get fancy and have a glass cutter cut out individual panes and then you can frame them in on top of your display. Either way your model car display will look great and you can be proud to show it to others.