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How to Build Model Ship Cases

Protect your delicate model ship in a stylish showcase that you built. Model ship cases not only keep hands of your project, but they also keep dust and other particles from getting in the way of your hard work. Use acrylic sheeting for the top of the case. It can be found at most hardware and hobby stores, and use an oak board for the base. Modify these materials using standard building tools for your specific model ship.

Things You'll Need

Safety glasses
Tape measure
Table saw, with fence
Oak board, 1-inch-thick
5 Acrylic sheets, 1/8-inch-thick
Acrylic glue

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and width of your model ship and add two inches to each dimension. Set your fence on the table saw away from the blade so it equals your width measurement. Raise the blade 1-inch above the table and run your board across the table so its width is the same as your measurement.
- 2
  Move the fence on the table saw 1/8-inch closer to the blade and lower the blade 1/4-inch. Run the board across again just as you did in the previous step, so you have a lip cut in the board. Rotate the board 180-degrees and repeat this process so you have two lips on the same side as the board. They are parallel.
- 3
  Set the fence on the table saw so it is 1/32-inch away from the blade. Run the ends of the board over the blade to create two more lips that are perpendicular to the first pair. These will hole the acrylic top on your model ship case.
- 4
  Measure the height of your ship case and add an inch to the measurement. Cut two acrylic sheets with your table saw so they equal this measurement for their height and also the length of the board. These are your sides. Cut two sheets of acrylic that equal the height and width, but subtract 1/4-inch from the width measurement. These are your ends. Cut the last sheet of acrylic so it equals the original width and length of the board. This is the top to your case.
- 5
  Position the sides on edge, parallel, and spaced the width measurement apart minus 1/4-inch. Position the ends on edge and between the sides at right angles so the corners are flush. Glue the acrylic together in this position. Let the acrylic dry according to the instructions.
- 6
  Set the top piece on top of the end and side pieces so the edges are flush. Glue this piece in this position. Set your ship on the board and the acrylic pieces on the board after the glue dries so their edges fit over the lips on the board.

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