maxi-model
UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
Ok, I bought these CKD acrylic cabinets for my 1:18 model race cars. But they come in other sizes, including their largest that I could fit my Bachmann Climax inside and a good few other live steamers I could mention. Yes, made in China, appear to be laser cut or milled. Provides a display unit, size for size, at a far more economical price than normal custom-made acrylic units. Yes, the old adage "you get what you pay for" applies here. These are CKD units with their separate panels located by tab and slot with a clever, how can I put it, rubber band retainers on the hooked tabs. You could choose to bond them with solvent adhesive too, if you wished. The clear acrylic sheet used for the covers is quite thin at 1mm, the base at 3 mm. Think of it as a base with closhe you can pop over to protect you pride and joy from dust, not to carry around and show off. I'd reinforce the base if you were thinking of picking it up with a heavy loco inside. But if not it's quite adequate. I might just buy one in the largest size for a 2 truck 3 cylinder Shay that needs a home right now.
Pictures, lots of pictures. Let's start at the beginning. From left - What you are going to end up with, what will fit the size I bought and how it arrived, CKD. All bits in a neat shallow card holder. Contents of pack still all strapped up and bubble wrap protector. Separated cabinet components, little clear bands to bind tabs over slots and even a cloth to clean it ! (I used my white cotton gloves to assemble). All the parts are covered with a peel off protective film, both sides. Key to it all clever "hooked" tabs that lock into slots with supplied bands.
Now the fun bit, assembly. Again from left - Corner, like all other joints, tab & slot, here loose assembled. Clever liittle clear band that secures and seals joints, invisibly. Loads of spares supplied with each kit. I used a curved pointed end pair of tweezers to pull in place. Easy peasy. Joints now locked. Whole display cover put together the same way. You should just be able to see all the exposed tabs ends in the picture. Bottom tabs on side panels fit into slots in 3 mm black base. Yes, they can be stacked, as exposed part of tabs, at 1.5 mm, are only half depth of base. If you are going to have anything heavy, like a loco inside, and want to carry it around, I'd bond that black base to wood or MDF "plank" to support base. If not, not needed.
Where to find
Pictures, lots of pictures. Let's start at the beginning. From left - What you are going to end up with, what will fit the size I bought and how it arrived, CKD. All bits in a neat shallow card holder. Contents of pack still all strapped up and bubble wrap protector. Separated cabinet components, little clear bands to bind tabs over slots and even a cloth to clean it ! (I used my white cotton gloves to assemble). All the parts are covered with a peel off protective film, both sides. Key to it all clever "hooked" tabs that lock into slots with supplied bands.
Now the fun bit, assembly. Again from left - Corner, like all other joints, tab & slot, here loose assembled. Clever liittle clear band that secures and seals joints, invisibly. Loads of spares supplied with each kit. I used a curved pointed end pair of tweezers to pull in place. Easy peasy. Joints now locked. Whole display cover put together the same way. You should just be able to see all the exposed tabs ends in the picture. Bottom tabs on side panels fit into slots in 3 mm black base. Yes, they can be stacked, as exposed part of tabs, at 1.5 mm, are only half depth of base. If you are going to have anything heavy, like a loco inside, and want to carry it around, I'd bond that black base to wood or MDF "plank" to support base. If not, not needed.
Where to find
