Plans for making HO storage cabinets

[RobertInOntario]

Thanks for those pics and additional info on your layouts, Shaygetz. It looks like you've created some clever ways for storing not only your trains but your layouts as well. I've also thought of tinkering with N Scale but my wife isn't too keen on that idea ! (especially since I've got so much HO [or British 00] stock now).

I'm also thinking of building a frame around my current layout. I'll have a think to see if I can find a way to add a storage component to that as well. Maybe the frame could contain some drawers or storage areas below it?

Take care & thanks again,

Rob

[RobertInOntario]

I was just thinking that maybe Ikea would sell a bathroom cabinet that I could modify for model railway storage shelfs?

Something like this might work:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10147563">http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10147563</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20148996">http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20148996</a><!-- m -->

At least these Ikea kits would give me the exact kind of wood that I'd need with a suitable finish. I could either keep the doors or simply not use them & try to insert some plexiglass instead.

Just some thoughts!

Rob

[Russ Bellinis]

Are you looking for a display type cabinet(s), or just off layout storage? If you have a dedicated wall where the trains could be stored, I like the first choice best. At 5 1/2 inches deep it looks to be wide enough to fit the rolling stock and allow room for your hands to handle the trains in and out of storage. One of those cabinets would have limited storage capacity for ho scale, but I could envision a bunch of them on a wall. The doors would lessen the amount of dust that would collect on the rolling stock in storage. Depending on how the doors open, you might need to put in some sort of filler piece between cabinets if you use them next to each other to allow the doors space to clear each other. I don't think I would use plexi. As designed those cabinets look like nice furniture. I think plexi would really look cheap. If you want display doors, I would recommend doing something with glass and a matching wood frame. The finish appears to be clear coated maple on the cabinets.

[Svein]

Here's a description on how to build a wall display case based on the RIBBA picture frame from IKEA. In Norwegian, but with many pics:

http://www.mjf.no/forum/forum_posts.asp?...h0modeller

Svein

[RobertInOntario]

Are you looking for a display type cabinet(s), or just off layout storage? If you have a dedicated wall where the trains could be stored, I like the first choice best. At 5 1/2 inches deep it looks to be wide enough to fit the rolling stock and allow room for your hands to handle the trains in and out of storage. One of those cabinets would have limited storage capacity for ho scale, but I could envision a bunch of them on a wall. The doors would lessen the amount of dust that would collect on the rolling stock in storage. Depending on how the doors open, you might need to put in some sort of filler piece between cabinets if you use them next to each other to allow the doors space to clear each other. I don't think I would use plexi. As designed those cabinets look like nice furniture. I think plexi would really look cheap. If you want display doors, I would recommend doing something with glass and a matching wood frame. The finish appears to be clear coated maple on the cabinets.

Thanks, Russ. This is helpful. At first, I was just thinking of simple storage but now that I've been mulling this over a lot, I really like the idea of display-type storage.

So maybe I'll either consider one of these Ikea options or search their website (and catalogs) further to see if they have anything that has glass covers or doors.

Rob

[RobertInOntario]

Here's a description on how to build a wall display case based on the RIBBA picture frame from IKEA. In Norwegian, but with many pics:

http://www.mjf.no/forum/forum_posts.asp?...h0modeller

Svein

Thanks, Svein. This sounds good too -- I'll check that site and print off the instructions.

Rob

[Russ Bellinis]

Rodert, if you have an Ikea store nearby, go check it out. They have a lot of different styles of bookshelves, cabinets, etc. They don't make anything specifically for model trains, but I think there might be quite a few items that could be repurposed.

[RobertInOntario]

Rodert, if you have an Ikea store nearby, go check it out. They have a lot of different styles of bookshelves, cabinets, etc. They don't make anything specifically for model trains, but I think there might be quite a few items that could be repurposed.

Thanks, Russ. This is what I'm thinking of. The advantage of this is that it should be easier and faster to build, and also have a good, clean finish. Yes, we do have an Ikea store a few miles away so I'll try to check it out (or have another look at their catalog). Rob

[steinjr]

Here's a description on how to build a wall display case based on the RIBBA picture frame from IKEA. In Norwegian, but with many pics:

http://www.mjf.no/forum/forum_posts.asp?...h0modeller

Svein

Thanks, Svein. This sounds good too -- I'll check that site and print off the instructions.

Rob

Basically, the instructions are:

1) Buy RIBBA picture frame from IKEA
2) Open and take off front (aluminium and glass)
3) Gently pry off side frames (they are stapled from the rear of the back plate)
4) Replace side frames with 3" x .5" wood, add shelves made of same material. Glue and screw or nail or staple together.
5) Use putty, base coat of paint, then paint
6) Mount on wall
7) Hang front (aluminum and glass) up again

Looks nice as a display cabinet, but is not intended to be opened and closed to get stuff as you go - you have to lift off the front and put it down somewhere every time you want to get something from the shelf.

Stein

[MasonJar]

Rob,

I was browsing a bit on the Lee Valley web site and came across this book:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,44047&p=64775">http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 47&p=64775</a><!-- m -->

For $6, it might be worth a look for your purposes.

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

Basically, the instructions are:
1) Buy RIBBA picture frame from IKEA
2) Open and take off front (aluminium and glass)
3) Gently pry off side frames (they are stapled from the rear of the back plate)
4) Replace side frames with 3" x .5" wood, add shelves made of same material. Glue and screw or nail or staple together.
5) Use putty, base coat of paint, then paint
6) Mount on wall
7) Hang front (aluminum and glass) up again
Looks nice as a display cabinet, but is not intended to be opened and closed to get stuff as you go - you have to lift off the front and put it down somewhere every time you want to get something from the shelf.
Stein

Thanks, Stein! I'll check my local Ikea and/or their catalog as well. Cheers, Rob

[RobertInOntario]

Rob,

I was browsing a bit on the Lee Valley web site and came across this book:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,44047&p=64775">http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.a ... 47&p=64775</a><!-- m -->

For $6, it might be worth a look for your purposes.

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

Hmm, that kind of gets me thinking as well! Thanks for finding this. As you say, you can't lose for $6.

Rob

[MasonJar]

Rob,

On a whim, I decided I could not pass it up at this price either, so I have ordered a copy. If you want my review before you take the plunge let me know. I should pick it up tomorrow.

Andrew

[RobertInOntario]

Rob,

On a whim, I decided I could not pass it up at this price either, so I have ordered a copy. If you want my review before you take the plunge let me know. I should pick it up tomorrow.

Andrew

Sure, that would be great! I was just googling where the nearest Lee Valley was to me... there's one not too far away.

Thanks, Rob

[MasonJar]

If that's the case, you might want to drop by and take a look. I don't know about Toronto, but the Ottawa store has a fairly comfy "reading room" where you can peruse the books for as long as you like (more or less ).

Andrew