This is a review of the Ramona 5-shelf, double door glass display case: SKU W113035701. I purchased this to display my collection of various scale models. As the case has to be assembled, it should be treated as a large model build.
The case is very well engineered and comes in two packages of side panels and shelves and hardware. The package containing the glass side, back, and door panels is quite heavy. I unwrapped this package first, as did not think it wise to negotiate the stairs to its final location with it. I carried each of the six panels (2 sides, 2 back panels, 2 doors) separately. The hardware package contains printed instructions, bagged hardware, and a pair of gloves. As in any model assembly one should identify all the pieces and read through the instruction booklet to get an idea of the build sequence. A single person can handle most of the tasks, but it becomes apparent from the instructions that a helper should aid installing the side/back glass panels to the base, aligning the sides and back to the top panel, and hanging the doors. The whole thing can be screwed together with the little driver provided with the hardware, but a proper Philips screwdriver is better.
There are a few little quirks and curiosities in the build not adequately mentioned in the instruction booklet. Every effort has been made to prevent glass-to-glass and glass to metal contact. The side and back panels are to have extruded plastic separators placed over their edges. These should be applied to panels before assembly and trimmed back about 1/8-inch (3 mm) from to top and bottom edges as the panels fit into grooves in the base and top. Panels are held together and the shelves rest upon curious little bolts (5 pieces per assembly) that go through the obvious holes in the glass. Each bolt has two washers for each side of the glass and the washers are stepped so the smaller outside diameter fits into the hole in the glass. This is not emphasized in the instructions. If one person is putting all these bolts through the glass it might be advised to apply some clear silicone seal on the inside washers to hold them in place while inserting the bolt. This also goes for the two steel bushings that support the upper door hinges in the top panel. The nut part of the bolt is a steel cylinder that must be fitted with the provided O-ring prior to assembly. This allows you to finger tighten the bolt and later provides a resting point for the glass shelves.
The back of the case is made of two glass panels, identical with four holes along each vertical edge. Curiously, my instruction booklet shows the holes along the middle joint left empty. You then end up with eight unused bolt assemblies. If placed in the eight empty holes they provide support for the glass shelves along their back edge. While there are extra items included for many hardware items, I ended up four O-rings shy. Take a sample with you to the hardware store to match the size.
The instructions emphasize attaching the display case to the wall to prevent tip-over. The threaded inserts in the top panel for the straps they provide will, inevitably, not align with the wall studs. You can carefully drill new holes in the particle board and attach the straps with small lag bolts.
