DIECASTVAULT
The scale-model shelf — die-cast cars, planes & trains, cataloged and cared for.
From converting a scale ratio and planning a display case to mixing paint by ratio, grading a model’s condition, diluting a weathering wash, and checking a shelf’s load, DieCastVault pairs free hands-on calculators with practical guides and a richly illustrated museum. Collect smarter, display better — no investment or valuation advice, ever.
Scale-Model Tools & Calculators
Free tools for the workbench and the shelf — scale converter, display case planner, paint mix ratio calculator, condition grade guide, weathering wash ratio calculator, and shelf load calculator.
Scale Converter
Convert between a model's scale ratio (1:12 through 1:350) and real millimetre measurements in either direction, with cm, inches, metres, and feet included
Display Case Size Planner
Work out how many models fit on a shelf or in a case, and how many shelves your whole collection needs, from the case size and one model's footprint
Paint Mix Ratio Calculator
Split a 2- or 3-color mixing ratio into exact volumes for a target total, so a custom color match comes out the same every time
Condition Grade Guide
Rate paint, chips, moving parts, decals, and completeness to get a standard collector condition grade — physical condition only, never a valuation
Weathering Wash Ratio Calculator
Turn a pin-wash dilution ratio into millilitres or dropper counts so panel-line washes come out consistent every time
Shelf Load & Weight Calculator
Check a shelf's rated capacity against your collection's combined weight, with a built-in safety margin
Scale Model Museum
Wander an immersive museum of the hobby’s history — die-cast cars and the companies that shaped them, scale aircraft that fill a miniature skyline, model locomotives and trains that built railroading as a collecting tradition, and model ships built from keel to mast, each in its own gallery, so you can get to know the stories behind every collection: how it started, what makes it matter, and the craft that goes into it.
Tour the museum →From the Journal
Fresh guides on scale families, display and storage, painting and finishing, weathering technique, and condition and care, plus practical tips for building out a collection you’re proud to show.
Understanding Model Scales: What 1:24, 1:43, and 1:87 Really Mean
A plain-language guide to reading a scale ratio, why cars, aircraft, trains, and ships each settled on different common scales, and how to compare models built at different sizes.
Planning a Display Case for a Growing Die-Cast Collection
How to work out shelf spacing, case height, and row count before you order a display case, so your collection fits the first time instead of outgrowing it in a month.
Mixing Custom Paint Colors for Scale Model Restoration
Why ratio-based mixing beats eyeballing a color match, how to record a formula you can reproduce, and a practical process for restoring chipped or faded die-cast paint.
A Practical Guide to Grading Die-Cast Condition
The five condition factors collectors actually look at, why the box is graded separately from the model, and how to describe a piece's condition honestly and consistently.
Weathering 101: Pin Washes, Filters, and Dry-Brushing Explained
An introduction to the three most common weathering techniques for scale models, what each one is actually doing to the paint, and how to avoid the most common beginner mistakes.
Storing a Collection Safely: Shelves, Cases, and Humidity
The environmental factors that actually damage die-cast and scale models over time, and practical, low-cost steps to protect a collection without buying specialized equipment.
Keep Learning
Plain-language explainers on scale families and conversions, practical know-how on display, storage, and finishing, and background on the history behind die-cast, aircraft, trains, and ship models — everything you need to dig deeper into the hobby.
Visit the Learn hub →