2021-1: Hobby Room Renovation, Part 3 - more display cases

In 2019, I replaced a number of flat-pack bookshelves for custom-built display cases. The new ones turned out so well, Gord convinced me that I should replace the remainder. On the external wall, the end shelving unit was 24"W x 12"D x72" H, but the space it occupied was 16" deep. I could replace it with a new unit 24x16x72 

On the interior wall I had 2 bookshelves 24x12x72, in the middle was one of the new 48x16x72 units. There was a 4" gap behind the right bookshelf, but no gap behind the left, as the wall just out 4" to accommodate the chimney. However, there was 24" between the end wall and the r.h. bookshelf. That meant if I removed that bookshelf and the other 'junk' in the corner, including another 24x12x72 bookshelf containing DVD's (far right). I could fit a second 48x16x74 display case. I could also replace the l.h. bookcase with a new 24x12x72 display case. He talked me into it. This would also leave me with four old brown flat-pack bookcases, for which I had another plan. More about that later. Unfortunately, in 2020 COVID intervened, so my plans were thwarted until 2021 

I didn't like the 'T' layout, so I changed it to a side-by -side layout. Gord & I meet once a week at my place for a model building day. He takes the left seat and I, the right. The rest of the week, I use the left table as extra build space, since my laptop, screen and keyboard/mouse use up much of my space. 

First, I emptied the r.h.s bookcase of the F1 models and books, and temporarily relocated them, Same with the Saturn 5 model and misc. junk in the corner. I also moved the DVD's and took down the bookcase on the end wall. I also emptied the l.h.s bookcase and relocated it and the contents temporarily. 

Then Gord and I slid the middle (48x16x72) display case to the end of the wall. I was able to use the power shelf to hide all of the network cabling in that corner (Bonus!) 

All of the network and telephone cabling at the corner of the room ended up in the power shelf. Love it when a plan works out. 

Next I relocated the 24x12x72 brown bookcase and contents from the exterior wall. That left me with open spaces for the three new display cases. 

I'd already calculated my new glass requirement, and it was delivered (right side), including a couple of pieces of glass I was re-using, that needed to be trimmed. Note to self. Flat pack bookcases with the same stated dimensions, are not always exactly the same! 

l.h.s. 24x12x72 display case built. I temporarily relocated my F1 collection here because I needed my workshop table space. 

Now for the final resting place of my F1 (and other cars) collection. I built two 24x12x40" display cases to fit on the end wall, underneath the window. 

Another move for the F1 cars to their new (permanent) location. They'll need to be moved once more, so that I can install the lighting. All these moves were necessary due to limited space, and the need to move out the old bookcases. 

24x16x72 display case installed and slid into its space on the exterior wall. The display cases are tied into the studs in the wall, and then tied into each other so they're solid. It'll take a MAJOR earthquake to dislodge them!  

Board to tie display case to wall. Acs can be expected with old houses, the wall & floor are not perpendicular to each other, and with the bottom flush with the wall, the top is out ~3/4" so we needed a piece of board to fill the gap. 

The last 48x16x72 display case installed, and tied into the wall and the rhs case. Only one left now: the 24x12x72 case - the lhs case on the interior wall 

The 24x12x72 case installed and tied in. LED lighting kits just arrived, so now I can start building & installing the lighting harnesses. 

Top half of the 24x12 case LED wiring complete. 

Top and bottom wiring complete 

Here it is, with lighting installed. F1 collection has been moved (again) so I can wire the lighting into the 40" cases under the window. 

Time to start wiring harnesses for the new 48" display case. 

Same goes for the new 24x16x72 case on the exterior wall, and the two 40" F1 display cases 

So here's all of the kit I need to make the wiring harnesses for the LED lighting 

One wiring harness complete. Each 48: display case requires 4 LED strings to light it; one for each quadrant. Each 24" display case requires two. To light all six display cases required 18 LED kits at $15 per kit or ~$240. Add another $60 for wire, connectors, solder, shrink wrap etc. and the lighting for all six cases cost ~$300 (CAD) 

Wiring harness tested. Looks good 

Beginning wiring for the two 40" F1 cases 

One complete 

Both complete. Now I can move the F1 collection back 

Moving to the 24x16 case 

 

Top and bottom wired. I miscounted the shelves. Waiting for them to deliver the extra shelves 

Space collection goes in the corner 

Now the last (48") case 

Renovation complete (almost). Now, what to do with those old bookcases?... 

LHS: Aircraft - Canadian collection (1:72); US Fighters collection (1:72), X-Planes collection (1:72); 1:48 Aircraft collection 

RHS: Space; S.F. collection (Babylon 5, Batman, 2001, UFO, VttBotS, Space 1999), BSG, (Star Trek, SG1, Star Wars, Red Dwarf, Farscape, Avatar) 

Back wall: F1 collection (1:20) and misc cars (1:25) 

Found a spot on the wall for my Valejo metallic painst 

Close-up