Where to buy good, reasonably cheap glass display cases

[laproblematique]

Hi guys,

I'm after a case to store/display some of my boxed transformers.
I have about 8 leader classes, 4 voyagers and a variety of masterpieces (2 YOTH Primes, 2 TRU Grimlocks, MP17, 18, 19, 20, MP Megatron and am now eying off Generations Metroplex.

Never thought I'd have enough figures to warrant one, but what can you guys recommend in terms of a good, well sealed, reasonably cheap glass case. Obviously with boxed figures I'll be struggling to get them all in so I don't mind using it predominantly as storage rather than showcasing all I have.

I assume IKEA and scouting ebay for used glass cases would be a good start but is there anywhere I should know about?

[Juggernaut]

the ikea detolfs are pretty good value for money

us aussies get ripped off, paying over/around double what the US have to pay for the same thing

[Trent]

If you want cheap, then you won't beat Detolfs.

[Jenko21]

Picked up a detolf the other day, pretty easy to put together but u'll need 2 people to get it done. Noticed they have the led light kits for them too.

Definitely going to need more lol

[Bidoofdude]

Aldi had a pretty good detolf-styled case not too long ago, but it was only in the weekly catalogue. It will very likely be back next year though. :)

[Juggernaut]

It's also possible with a bit of handy work, to do a bit of wood cutting on the detolf, and join 2 together to get a double door wider display cabinet while still looking nice.

I plan on buying a whole heap next year

[Jilm101]

i guess detolfs are the General Go but there is also ones at Fantastic Furnature that look good (also for those not near an ikea
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Living-Room/Living-Room-Accessories/Vision-3-Shelf-Glass-Display-Cabinet-/p/VISUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

[drifand]

i guess detolfs are the General Go but there is also ones at Fantastic Furnature that look good (also for those not near an ikea
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Living-Room/Living-Room-Accessories/Vision-3-Shelf-Glass-Display-Cabinet-/p/VISUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

They are the most reasonably priced. For everyone else who would go the extra mile of spending, look at shop fit glass cabinets.

[nexusnixx]

i guess detolfs are the General Go but there is also ones at Fantastic Furnature that look good (also for those not near an ikea
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Living-Room/Living-Room-Accessories/Vision-3-Shelf-Glass-Display-Cabinet-/p/VISUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

Hmmm these look quite good

[laproblematique]

Hmmm these look quite good

That they do. Looks like dust/moisture would still be a problem with open gaps, however can be fixed by using weather strips to plug the gaps.

Won't matter too much as all my stuff is still in boxes but the less chance of dust, the better!

Also on the topic of storing boxed fingers, should you wrap the box in some kind of protective wrap and if so what can you recommend?

Cheers!

[Sinnertwin]

Also on the topic of storing boxed fingers, should you wrap the box in some kind of protective wrap and if so what can you recommend?

Cheers!



i find sealing the individual digits in sandwhich bags then placing them in an ice cream container in the freezer the most effective method

[Skullcruncher]

i find sealing the individual digits in sandwhich bags then placing them in an ice cream container in the freezer the most effective method

Minty fresh when thawed :cool:

[philby]

Any other tips? I've seen the detolf ones which aren't too bad but kinda narrow. The larger cabinets I saw at Ikea all had big chunky wooden doors etc.

[Omega Metro]

IKEA here in Perth have Detolf for $99 at the moment. Maybe Other states too?

[WeallscreamforStarscream]

I have the Detolf.

It's good for 3 seekers on one shelf, 8 autobot cars (cramped but poseable), MP-05 Megatron, FT- Shockwave, Ghost Starscream and Soundwave with a couple of his buddies around him. The top shelf fits MP-01 Prime, MP22-Magnus, Grimlock, FT-Scoria with Bumblebee riding him.

It's nice, but not big enough anymore.. so i'm gonna get a custom cabinet or maybe a table that i can pose out battle scenes.. Just gotta battle the dust.

[TAAUBlaster]

Are there any good alternatives to the IKEA cases? I live nowhere near an IKEA, and the transport company they reccomend on their website claims my postcode is "out of their range." :/

[drifand]

If budget isn't a concern, shop fit glass cabinets are one of the best so far.

[UltraMarginal]

Are there any good alternatives to the IKEA cases? I live nowhere near an IKEA, and the transport company they reccomend on their website claims my postcode is "out of their range." :/

It seems that once a year, Aldi stock similar cabinets, they are marginally smaller but the shelves can be adjusted. its' worth keeping an eye out if there is one near you.

[Paulbot]

I was at a shop the other day that was closing down (under liquidation) and they had the store's glass shelving cabinets for sale. And I would have considered buying one except the shelves were all slanted backwards (they held sheet sets) so would be no good for displaying Transformers.

[TAAUBlaster]

If budget isn't a concern, shop fit glass cabinets are one of the best so far.
That is the dream, but I haven't got the budfet for it unfortunately :(


It seems that once a year, Aldi stock similar cabinets, they are marginally smaller but the shelves can be adjusted. its' worth keeping an eye out if there is one near you.

Unfortunately, no such thing as Aldi in these parts of regional QLD haha

[Jilm101]

just for reference the 2 on the left are the older aldi cabinets the 3rd is the new design they bought in last year, it looks alot nicer and i believe its more like the Detolf
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a582/Jilm101/IMG_07151_zpsfimipsxj.jpg
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a582/Jilm101/966D3EA4-6298-410B-B141-E8D3F3C37C55_zpsvt6c4s6o.jpg

[tron07]

I use ikea billy cabinets with the glass doors.

[philby]

i just bought a detolf the other day and put it together tonight, a bit uneven in a couple of spots i think lol but now to fill it up :)

[auskinglj]

Aldi has glass cabinets again on this sat 27th for 89.99
https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-27-august/saturday-detail-wk34/ps/p/glass-cabinet-1/

[UltraMarginal]

Good pickup, in my opinion these are better than the Ikea detolfs because you can set the shelf heights.
Looking at that picture these look like a fairly different design to the ones they sold last year. They look nice, wish I had room for more.:o

[Borgeman]

Good pickup, in my opinion these are better than the Ikea detolfs because you can set the shelf heights.
Looking at that picture these look like a fairly different design to the ones they sold last year. They look nice, wish I had room for more.:o

I got 3 of these last year, I might pick up 2 more.

Other than adjustable shelves, it comes with a lock at the top on the door, but is missing any magnet/handle. However I assume you can get something like that off ebay on the cheap anyway.

[Paulbot]

I was thinking the other day "I wonder when Aldi will have these again". This is maybe too soon though!

[Paulbot]

For those that have bought those Aldi cabinets, do you think that they are manageable to get from the store to the car, up a set of stairs and into a house all by yourself? The "39kg two people to carry" notice makes me doubt I could manage solo :(

[Borgeman]

For those that have bought those Aldi cabinets, do you think that they are manageable to get from the store to the car, up a set of stairs and into a house all by yourself? The "39kg two people to carry" notice makes me doubt I could manage solo :(

Yup, under one arm and away you go. Like carrying a ladder. 40kgs isnt all that heavy, and its length means you can stand the box upright 1st then tuck it under your arm and eliminate using your back to lift it off the ground. And you're tall. If my frame can carry it, you will be a-ok.

Just be easy at the stairs, and worst case just sit them on the stairs and push em up - its length means it will slide easily (assuming the staircase is also straight).

"39kg two people" is there to satisfy OH&S requirements first and foremost :p

[liegeprime]

Best have a mate Paulbot, to help you carry it in and not break your back. I was contemplating on getting 2 of those today but payday isn't til this coming Thursday ( gone by then) ... ah well at least I can always just go to IKEA and get me the white version of Detolfs , which are the ones discounted this time ( before it was the beech colored ones... you'll need 2 people for Detolfs as well as it is split into 2 flatpack boxes... I had a friend help me , drive and bring it in the house... I alone assembled it by taking the pieces out of the box and then taking each panel upstairs.. took me about half an hour assembly time for each detolf... unlike the first time , now I can assemble it easy without the need for the instruction booklet. Unless you have a good hand truck and a couple of elastic ties you can use, you can prolly get away moving them around , but yeah lifting them alone is a big No no.


http://i1379.photobucket.com/albums/ah155/liegeprime1/2016%20Acquissitions/DSC08783_zpscimhmg3e.jpg (http://s1379.photobucket.com/user/liegeprime1/media/2016%20Acquissitions/DSC08783_zpscimhmg3e.jpg.html)

[TAAUBlaster]

All the good stuff is always exclusive to stores that aren't around here. Closest Aldi is about 4 hours drive :(

[Paulbot]

I've been doing weight training but clearly not enough; I gave them a lift but thought no this is going to be a challenge solo!

Nice set up Liegeprime

[Jilm101]

i got another two from aldi today to even this out
http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a582/Jilm101/IMG_09761_zps1wdnw0rg.jpg

[Paulbot]

Does look good. I think I'm lacking the right kind of wall to do something like this.

[Megatran]

Yup, under one arm and away you go. Like carrying a ladder. 40kgs isnt all that heavy, and its length means you can stand the box upright 1st then tuck it under your arm and eliminate using your back to lift it off the ground. And you're tall. If my frame can carry it, you will be a-ok.

Just be easy at the stairs, and worst case just sit them on the stairs and push em up - its length means it will slide easily (assuming the staircase is also straight).

"39kg two people" is there to satisfy OH&S requirements first and foremost :p
Not all of us are well sculpted as those 300 Spartans, like yourself. ;)

[GoktimusPrime]

Not all of us are well sculpted as those 300 Spartans, like yourself. ;)
Sucks to be you. I on the other hand have the body of a god (http://i.stack.imgur.com/m8QQK.jpg). :p ;)

[ZoonMaster5000]

All the good stuff is always exclusive to stores that aren't around here. Closest Aldi is about 4 hours drive :(

I have to hop on a plane to get to an Aldi or Ikea so my choices are fantatstic or harvey "The wallet destroyer" Norman, So I ended up getting this
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Storage-%26-Office/Storage/Display-Cabinets/Gallery-4-Shelf-Glass-Cabinet-/p/GAYUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

These while a tad more expensive than buying 2 singles seemed to me in person to be more rigid and better quality than the single one.

[UltraMarginal]

I was thinking the other day "I wonder when Aldi will have these again". This is maybe too soon though!

I'd say it's entirely possible, you'd be sweating bullets by the end of it.
I have done something similar except I have one of those two wheeled hand trolleys that makes the stairs and ramps a whole lot easier.


I have to hop on a plane to get to an Aldi or Ikea so my choices are fantatstic or harvey "The wallet destroyer" Norman, So I ended up getting this
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Storage-%26-Office/Storage/Display-Cabinets/Gallery-4-Shelf-Glass-Cabinet-/p/GAYUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

These while a tad more expensive than buying 2 singles seemed to me in person to be more rigid and better quality than the single one.

That's not entirely true, you have options, you could drive and then Kayak and then drive to get to either of those stores. even hitchhiking on this side of the water would save you some dollars:D

I like the look of those units from Fantastic. I'm guessing that the shelves aren't adjustable though, it looks like they are fastened directly to the glass.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Yeah, the Fantastic Furniture shelf isn't adjustable, but it is generous in shelf space; I use it for my MP's.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k234/jollyrob81/3F637DBF-2519-4745-A377-92870BF67148_zpsnioa67hd.jpg

I would've liked all glass shelves, but the only option I see in larger sizes are shop fittings which are expensive. I see myself buying one more of these shelves then calling it a day. I also have a detolf which is full to the brim with G1 figures.

[ZoonMaster5000]

That's not entirely true, you have options, you could drive and then Kayak and then drive to get to either of those stores. even hitchhiking on this side of the water would save you some dollars:D

Why didn't I think of that! would make for an interesting trip back across in the kayak with a couple detolfs strapped to the sides:p

Yeah they are non adjustable my wife bought it for fathers day and considering it will be living in our bedroom I didn't get much of a say in which cabinet I got.
Like Ralph said they are very generous in shelf space which will be good for setting up scenes from the cartoons and movie.

[UltraMarginal]

Why didn't I think of that! would make for an interesting trip back across in the kayak with a couple detolfs strapped to the sides:p

Yeah they are non adjustable my wife bought it for fathers day and considering it will be living in our bedroom I didn't get much of a say in which cabinet I got.
Like Ralph said they are very generous in shelf space which will be good for setting up scenes from the cartoons and movie.

I suppose 'Ballast' might be the right word:D

Wow, set up in the Bedroom!?
Nice setup Ralph.

I like to have mine set up in different layouts, this is definitely something I'm going to look at for expansion in the future.
Glass looks nice but it's slippery, any figures with stability issues r weak hips tend to be even harder to set up on glass.

[TAAUBlaster]

I have to hop on a plane to get to an Aldi or Ikea so my choices are fantatstic or harvey "The wallet destroyer" Norman, So I ended up getting this
http://www.fantasticfurniture.com.au/Categories/Storage-%26-Office/Storage/Display-Cabinets/Gallery-4-Shelf-Glass-Cabinet-/p/GAYUTI4SHOOOGLAWHI

These while a tad more expensive than buying 2 singles seemed to me in person to be more rigid and better quality than the single one.

I'm in the same boat. Only a Fantastic (which is still fairly new here) and Harvey Norman. I've toyed with the idea of getting one of them but they are pretty pricey. If I can grab them on sale, then I will definitely get one. I've currently got 3 of the singles waiting to be assembled at home. :o

[BigTransformerTrev]

Are there any places that sell them in bulk and would deliver? In a few months I'll be looking for enough to outfit a fairly big shed with all walls having them

[Ralph Wiggum]

Google "shop glass cabinet". With the size and quantities you're likely looking for, you'd be moving into commercial rather than home furniture.

Not cheap, but they look the best and really its a one-off purchase.

[Skyfire]

Aldi have those SOHL display cabinets again as Wed 26 Aug 2020 special buys (https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-wed-26-august/wednesday-detail-wk35/ps/p/glass-display-cabinet/). $99, which is the same price as Ikea Detolfs now. Not available at Victorian, Albury & Lavington stores due to COVID-19.

[Skyfire]

Detolf cabinets are on sale: $85 from $99 (Dec 1 2020 to Jan 1 2021). Only white.

https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/detolf-glass-door-cabinet-white-20354043/

[Skyfire]

Ikea in Perth has the green Fabrikor on sale $100 from $199 (I know, not cheap but much reduced) just in front of the registers.

https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/fabrikoer-glass-door-cabinet-pale-grey-green-30460123/

[CoRDS]

a few years ago i saved up and bought one of these
https://metrodisplay.com.au/shop/display_cabinets/msc-242-corner/
in black. holds quite a lot and came with lights, also ran some led strips down the front frame on the inside. not what you would call cheap, but the stuff inside it is worth many times the cost.
now i just need to get another one and well i guess somewhere to put it ;)

i love that the depth of this allows for multiple display options.

[Autocon]

a few years ago i saved up and bought one of these
https://metrodisplay.com.au/shop/display_cabinets/msc-242-corner/
in black. holds quite a lot and came with lights, also ran some led strips down the front frame on the inside. not what you would call cheap, but the stuff inside it is worth many times the cost.
now i just need to get another one and well i guess somewhere to put it ;)

i love that the depth of this allows for multiple display options.

Does it come in straight wall configuration? Looks good for background display