Display cases for your props

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Frosteon

Well-Known Member
If this is in the wrong section, I apologize.
I've been thinking of getting a display case for some of my collection, and I've seen a lot of others' collection show off threads and notice a lot of you have display cases for them too. I've looked at some craft stores, yet They never seem to have the right size, and it can only fit one piece in it, or something along those lines. I have just three questions. Where have some of you gotten your display cases? What am I looking at paying for one? and should I go with wood? I'm afraid of glass breaking from something heavy or bumping it or something. I'd think wood would do better.
 
Generally, I find that that makes for a darker case. You might want a glass top and front, or something, to allow for light to enter.

My lightsaber case is just from a craft store. Plastic works to keep the dust off.
 
If you've got an IKEA nearby you could probably find something for a decent price. They've got glass display cases that are perfect for smaller props and helmets.
 
I can second cheech9898 suggestion.. Seems like a pretty decent and easy alternative even for costume display cases (been planning to make display cases out of these profiles too).. Look around the internet there might be other solutions for hinges and fasteners.. The only thing I'm not sure about is, if aluminium is the right material when it comes to preserve costumes (dunno about potential pollutants).. For the question about glass: I would personally go with plexiglass or acryl glass, it is sturdier and there should be some nice uv-opaque ones out there..

If you are doing it yourself with these aluminium profiles and plexiglass you'd be looking at about 500$ for a display cases that is large enough to hold a mannequin..

If you want to display smaller pieces, try to check out ikea (as vt357 suggested) and look for the Detolf display case which should be around 50$..

As for wood: I'm kinda paranoid when it comes to something out of wood.. Have you ever bought wood from the hardware store? Remember the smell it had? These fumes can't be good..

Hope my informations could add up to the opinions above! :)
 
vt357 said:
If you've got an IKEA nearby you could probably find something for a decent price.
Click to expand...
Yep. Their Detolf display case is popular here. I have a few on my mental list for when I move into my new place next year. Right now, most of my stuff is in boxes in a garage. :(
 
Yeah, type in detolf in the search. A bunch of displays pop up. I'm not a huge fan of the detolf because of the tiny bars that keep the selves together, but several members recommend them.
 
Frosteon said:
Which craft store did you get it from? There's a "Michael's" craft store here and that's it.
Click to expand...

Yep, Michael's. I just glued blue felt in the bottom. Here's a pic:

Photoon2010-09-11at1640.jpg
 
^ Ooh...how large do those come? They might be handy for some of my smaller stand-alone props.
 
Jm419 said:
Yep, Michael's. I just glued blue felt in the bottom. Here's a pic:

Photoon2010-09-11at1640.jpg
Click to expand...

vt357 said:
Biggest one on their website is 15.5x7x6 in. Make sure you pull one of those 40% off coupons from their weekly mailer or Sunday paper.

15.5x7x6-inch Acrylic Collector
Click to expand...

Jm419 said:
Yep. Mine's 13", but the 15.X incher is the biggest one they have on-shelf, anyway.
Click to expand...
Ooh... good to know about! Actually will help solve my dilemma as to how to display some large-scale custom action figures that I want to protect! :cool:thumbsup

Another inexpensive option for displaying small, stand alone props like sonic screwdrivers and lightsabers is...

plastic display cases for model cars! These are available at any good hobby shop, or on eBay, for usually just a few bucks each!

When I got my MFX Doctor Who Sonic Screwdriver prop, I needed a display case that would go well with the design aesthetic of the included acrylic display stand. I had a Testor's 1:24th scale model car display case that I was using for a die-cast car. Found myself thinking "let me give that a try", popped her in, and this was the result:

SonicScrewdriverPropInCase2.jpg


SonicScrewdriverPropInCase1.jpg


My sonic has been displayed like that every since. It may be fairly airtight, too, as I have yet to notice any oxidation/discoloration on the emitter tip, which is a problem that some RPF members experienced with their MFX sonics, so that's an added bonus.

I know that at least one other RPF member liked this idea so much, he bought the EXACT SAME TESTOR'S DISPLAY CASE to copy my idea!

Besides the Testor's one with the clear bottom, some models have a black base, and some have a vac-metalized "chrome" base. So buy whichever kind suits you best. The 1:24th scale ones are perfect for sonic screwdrivers new & old, Star Trek communicators, and other similarly small props. They also work great for displaying small action figures and miniatures! I use one of these to display a set of custom-made Green Lantern Heroclix I picked up on eBay! :)

Ones sized for 1:18th scale cars are perfect for most lightsaber hilts (I use one to display the 2 lightsaber hilts I have for wear with my Jedi costume.) And you can even find odd sizes and/or shapes for things like model airplanes and model tanks, which would be perfect for things like phasers and blaster pistols. :cool
 
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Jm419 said:
Yep, Michael's. I just glued blue felt in the bottom. Here's a pic:

http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee341/Jm419/Photoon2010-09-11at1640.jpg
Click to expand...
vt357 said:
Biggest one on their website is 15.5x7x6 in. Make sure you pull one of those 40% off coupons from their weekly mailer or Sunday paper.

15.5x7x6-inch Acrylic Collector
Click to expand...
So, I went in Michael's and checked those out, but I also saw ones that are NOT on their website. They're designed for displaying sports balls (primarily footballs & basketballs) and they're higher-end cases. Wood plaque base, wood framework lid with inset glass panels, very nice. But they have a built-in/glued on little stand, either round or oval, to hold the ball.

They look similar to this...

FootballDisplayCase.jpg


...really very nice, would make a great display case for a prop. And since they come in a couple different sizes/shapes, you could pick the one that works best for the prop you're displaying.

Have any of you tried buying one of those and removing that little "ball holder" so that you could modify it to place your own display stand in there? :confused

Also, anyone know what kind of display cases Hobby Lobby carries? They just opened a store near me, but I haven't had a chance to go in there yet.
 
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I'm looking for an acrylic display case for my Hoverboard replica. It's 28" long and I would like it to be standing vertical. Ideally, I would like it on a revolving pedestal. I haven't had too much luck on finding that combination. Any suggestions?
 
You can also do an eBay search for "Oakley Display" and you'll see some great sci-fi-esque cases. Pricey, but cool if you have the scratch.
 
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