Ikea Detolf display cases

Discussion in 'Transformers Toy Discussion' started by Sammael, May 19, 2008.

  1. Sammael

    Sammael MightyMegatron from ATT

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Posts:
    6,272
    News Credits:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Location:
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Likes:
    +6,194
    Hi, I know a lot of you have Detolf display cases. I was planning on ordering some custom display cases to be made for my collection (meager as it is), but my budget is such that those custom display cases will likely have to wait a while. So, it looks like Detolf may be the way to go for the time being. Having said that, I have some questions:

    1) How well do they keep the dust away? I would like to keep my TFs as dust-free as possible, and the Detolfs I've seen seem to have visible gaps between the glass panels and the metal railings. Is there a way to fill those gaps somehow (perhaps with some clear plastic/silicone strips)?

    2) Are they stable on their own? I would like to set them up without fixing them to the wall, since I loathe having to drill holes in my (very expensively painted) walls.

    3) How many TFs can feasibly fit on one shelf? Let's say A/E/C deluxes.

    4) Can Armada Unicron and Cybertron Primus fit on the shelf comfortably in robot mode? Are the shelves sturdy enough to support them (Ikea claims 6 kilos, but I've seem some forum posts that claim otherwise).

    5) Same question, but for MP-04. I plan to set the trailer up vertically (repair bay bode), and to place my small alts collection (some 7 alts) around OP, if possible.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Skywave

    Skywave Transformers Noob

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2007
    Posts:
    1,406
    Trophy Points:
    237
    Likes:
    +37
    1- It's good. The only open space is around the door, the 3 other sides are closed with two plastic bars in the rear corners so it's pretty good to minimize dust. The metal railing is inside the cabinet and isn't a part on the walls so no need to worry about the gap. Some dust will get in, but it's much better than having open shelves that's for sure :D 

    2- Yes, mine aren't attached to the wall and they are very stable. They are mounted on four big plastic feet, so unless your floor is really uneven, it'll be fine on it's own.

    3- If you go for crowded shelves, as an exemple I can fit as much as 6 Alts in robot mode on one shelf ()though I go for 4 or 5 max). Never tried to fill one with deluxes, but I guess you can put a good number in there :) 

    For reference, the shelf is 11 1/4 inch deep by 15 inch wide, but you actually have a bit more room as the shelf is shorter than the inside dimension (so you get around 13 by 15 1/2).

    4- Yes they can (not 100% sure as I don't own Unicron, but Primus and other big figure fit very well). Shelves are in glass so yes they can support a lot of Transformers :p 

    5- Mp-04 trailer and Prime both fit inside easily. Trailer take a lot of space though, and in repair bay mode you can't really put Prime in the bay cause the blue robot thing don't have much space to get out of the way.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Sammael

    Sammael MightyMegatron from ATT

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Posts:
    6,272
    News Credits:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Location:
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Likes:
    +6,194
    Thanks very much for your answers! I'm going to buy one Detolf tomorrow (for MPs/Alts/Primus), and probably another one after I obtain Unicron.
     
  4. diablien

    diablien Banned

    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2006
    Posts:
    1,354
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    161
    Likes:
    +6
    Ebay:
    I have 3 of these guys and they are great!

    Just be careful constructing them on carpet though, I always end up getting the screws on the bottom stuck to the carpet when I tighten the top. D'oh!
     
  5. Mark94

    Mark94 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2008
    Posts:
    1,179
    Trophy Points:
    226
    Likes:
    +0
    That's awesome, same thing happened to me constructing my cases. I just pulled the threads right out of the carpet!

    Anyway, I love these cases. Great for the money and they only let in a minimal amount of dust. I tend to display everything in bot mode to get the most on the shelves and I've made risers out of black foam core board in order to get a layered effect (almost like stadium seating) on the shelves and get more on each shelf. If I didn't do this, then the ones in front would block the ones behind them.

    Here is what my cases look like (I've managed to get more in there too - I've got Menasor and Defensor in my G1 case now).

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Big_Daddy

    Big_Daddy The. Balls. Will. Touch.

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Posts:
    1,644
    News Credits:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +11
    Detolfs rock!! I have four of them, and will likely buy more in the future. I can fit both Unicrons on one shelf; one in 'bot mode, and one in planet mode. If you remove one glass shelf, a Fort Max will fit nicely in there as well! They can take a lot of weight as well; I have 20th Prime, MP Screamer, MP Skywarp, and MP Megs all on the same shelf, Overlord and Metroplex on one, Trypticon and Omega Supreme on one, etc.
     
  7. FortressMaximus1976

    FortressMaximus1976 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2007
    Posts:
    600
    Trophy Points:
    167
    Likes:
    +84
    Ebay:
    I have one of these shelves to, and in it on the first shelf, I have MP-04 with the trailer (not the repair bay mode though, just sitting regular on the wheels), and Prime in robot mode in front. Fits wonderfully.

    Then on shelf 2, I have MP-05 with Anime Color Masterpiece Starscream -- fits JUST right, with all accessories out front.

    3rd shelf is Masterpiece Voltron - but in the past I have put Unicron in One Shelf and Primus in another, but not together!! -
     
  8. GreenScream

    GreenScream Neo G1 Collector

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2007
    Posts:
    1,552
    News Credits:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    232
    Likes:
    +19
    I have one myself. The MPs and larger figures look really nice on the shelves. However, Deluxes don't look too good cause' of all the open space. You should do what Mark94 did with the stadium look for the smaller figures.
     
  9. Sammael

    Sammael MightyMegatron from ATT

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Posts:
    6,272
    News Credits:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Location:
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Likes:
    +6,194
    Got my Detolf today (took me about 2 hours to assemble...). I'll try to post some photos tomorrow, but here's what I managed to fit in it:

    On top: D&D Miniatures Colossal Red Dragon
    Top shelf: Cybertron Primus, Galaxy Force Vector Prime, Cybertron Defense Red Alert, Scattorshot, and Hot Shot, some minicons
    2nd shelf: Masterpiece OP and Megatron, Alternators Jazz, Sideswipe, and Hound (jeep mode)
    3rd shelf: MP-04 trailer (half-open), Movie Rescue Ratchet, Alternators Prowl, Masterpiece Starscream (jet mode), Alternators Windcharger, Silverstreak, and Tracks (all three in car mode)
    4th shelf (need to work on this one): Micron Legend Shockwave, Energon Scorponok and Dreadwing, Cybertron Sky Shadow, Mudflap, Thunderblast, and Shortround, some minicons.

    That's more than what I expected! Still, the bottom shelf looks crowded, so I'll need to work on it. Everything else looks fantastic.
     
  10. TrickyDisco

    TrickyDisco <b><font color=blue>Voted TFW2005's Sexiest Female

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2002
    Posts:
    5,301
    News Credits:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    282
    Likes:
    +2
    I seriously think IKEA should just start marketing them as "Great TF Display cases" for they seem to be the top choice for collectors. That is, if you can afford to buy them by the dozens if you have a vast collection....
     
  11. unicrons_hammer

    unicrons_hammer Banned

    Joined:
    May 19, 2008
    Posts:
    43
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Likes:
    +0
    what is the cost on a set of these?
     
  12. llamatron

    llamatron OFFICIAL MMC REP TFW2005 Supporter

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2002
    Posts:
    9,732
    News Credits:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Likes:
    +2,928
    Instagram:
    They're pretty expensive. I have one of them and it was about $100, although I'm sure it's cheaper in the USA.
     
  13. ckhtiger

    ckhtiger old skool fool

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2003
    Posts:
    9,050
    News Credits:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    337
    Likes:
    +4,103
    man, I always thought that they were a waste of space for tfs because there was so much room inbetween shelves, but those risers are a GREAT idea!
     
  14. xZAOx

    xZAOx Yep.

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2003
    Posts:
    3,251
    News Credits:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    312
    Likes:
    +908
    Ebay:
  15. unicrons_hammer

    unicrons_hammer Banned

    Joined:
    May 19, 2008
    Posts:
    43
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Likes:
    +0
  16. Sammael

    Sammael MightyMegatron from ATT

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Posts:
    6,272
    News Credits:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Location:
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Likes:
    +6,194
    They're much more expensive in Serbia (I paid 90 EUR, i.e. $140 for mine), but still much cheaper than any other display case I could find. Since Ikea doesn't have a shop in Serbia, all Ikea goods are imported from Hungary, and I believe the price there is 53 EUR (83 USD).
     
  17. Sammael

    Sammael MightyMegatron from ATT

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2007
    Posts:
    6,272
    News Credits:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    367
    Location:
    Belgrade, Serbia
    Likes:
    +6,194
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Big_Daddy

    Big_Daddy The. Balls. Will. Touch.

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Posts:
    1,644
    News Credits:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    227
    Likes:
    +11
    I live in Sweden, where this cabinets are from, but I still have to pay 500 SEK, or roughly $84.50. They're much cheaper than other cabinets I've seen though, so they're well worth the money.
     
  19. BadJeff

    BadJeff Bite my shiny metal ass!

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2006
    Posts:
    539
    Trophy Points:
    201
    Likes:
    +1
    Small suggestion to make your detolf display better... Put a strip of black fabric down the inside of the back. Gets rid of the nasty reflection and displays the figures well....imo of course...I've also got one strip of Ikea's Dioder lights under each shelf. Very nice lighting..
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Plastic Man

    Plastic Man The Man in Black

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2007
    Posts:
    863
    Trophy Points:
    147
    Likes:
    +1
    ^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^