QUESTION Display in Detolfs

Darth_Norf

Darth_Norf

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Hi all! My Minibust collection is growing alot and it seams that I will be quickly out of room. Unfortunately, I don't have space to add another Detolf cabinet, so I'm considering putting more busts on each shelf. I presently have 4 to 6 busts by shelf. I have seen pictures of people putting up to 8 busts by shelf. Can I put up to 9 MB by shelf without the glass breaking?

Thanks!
 

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Yes, you can. Look at pictures of other people's displays below your post here, and you'll notice they have heavy statues on them, and plenty of mini busts weighing about the same as what you want to do. Some examples below:

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You are correct. My bad and I'll delete those as they are not a good example. Here are a couple of shelves used by the same collector. I think he did not add a 9 bust on them because there was no room for it:

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Good. I plan to make 3 steps using baseball displays.
 

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With all the respect due to the poster above, I feel there's always a percentage for everything in life. It's up to us to go a certain way: from driving an auto with the risk of getting into an accident, to ordering a coffee or tea and finding out they did not use enough sugar. I'm not saying the glass on these cabinets could not shatter, but it isn't a constant. Otherwise the Detolf wouldn't be one of their best selling pieces. Placed on the balance of probabilities, if built properly, chances of the display case remaining intact for years are greater than it shattering in my experience.
 
A local glass cutting may be able to replace those shelves fairly easily. Also give you color choices or thicker glass if that's what you are interested in. Ikea can be hit or miss.
 
I suspect collectors have single handedly kept the Detolf a consistent money maker for Ikea. I wonder how many are out in the world?
 
The photos Force Strong linked to are mine, and I have to admit it's started to make me nervous over the years, but like the other linked photos, lots of people put far more weight in them than I do.

Clearly you're one of those people, and that image is making me feel a little better about it. I'm still hoping that over the next couple of years I can come up with an entirely new shelving situation that will hold much more weight without me ever having to wonder.
 
I want to thank you all for contributing to this thread, I have my answer now! :)
 
Bumping this because I added a tenth Detolf this week and after assembling it noticed that the glass shelves are way thinner than all my old ones. Like, nearly half as thick. I just talked with an Ikea rep and a year or two ago, they lowered the weight capacity from 13 pounds to 8 pounds.

So at this point, I actually AM nervous about putting mini-busts into this new cabinet. I just ordered three acrylic replacement shelves from an Etsy store but I have no idea what those will be like when they get here. I'm now $180 into this new cabinet... Super disappointing that these went from $60 to $100 and simultaneously got crappier.
 
Kneel_Before_Zod said:
Bumping this because I added a tenth Detolf this week and after assembling it noticed that the glass shelves are way thinner than all my old ones. Like, nearly half as thick. I just talked with an Ikea rep and a year or two ago, they lowered the weight capacity from 13 pounds to 8 pounds.

So at this point, I actually AM nervous about putting mini-busts into this new cabinet. I just ordered three acrylic replacement shelves from an Etsy store but I have no idea what those will be like when they get here. I'm now $180 into this new cabinet... Super disappointing that these went from $60 to $100 and simultaneously got crappier.
Click to expand...

Oy, this is tough to hear, but it tracks with other recent collectors I've spoken to. And that also tracks with other Ikea practices over the years, especially after the Covid years. I used to be a strong proponent of Detolfs... I've had statues in mine for years without problems as well. But with cutting corners like this... collectors might want to look into other options like the Besta.

P.S. This additional pic shows the strength of the older shelves.
 

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My old Detolfs are still going strong even after a recent move to a new house. In fact, I was trying to change the way the door swings open from one side to the other. The door slipped and fell forward hitting the hardwood floor and nothing happened. 🤷‍♂️

Howeverm, I bought a 3rd Detolf a couple of years ago and I've yet to assemble it. I'll be curious if it has the same thickness of shelves as my older Detolfs.
 
I have the older Detolfs. They are good but I am getting rid of them in favor of Moducase. I bought a Besta and tossed them. Nothing but cardboard. Flimsy even after reinforcing them. I got Moducase D60 and now looking to get more. Will not return to Ikea. They are now cheap.
 
I want to get into Moducase as well. They seem to have better size options for some diorama pieces I want to display. Really need to stop buying toys at this point and focus money and time towards protection and display.
 
Moducase is very good. Sometimes you don't even see that there is a front to it. BUT they take a LONG time to get. Almost a year from order to delivery.
 
I really wish I had Moducase money. They're great looking display options, but so very costly.
 
They are very pricey. But from all that I researched they are the best for what you want in a versatile display case.
 
sharky said:
My old Detolfs are still going strong even after a recent move to a new house. In fact, I was trying to change the way the door swings open from one side to the other. The door slipped and fell forward hitting the hardwood floor and nothing happened. 🤷‍♂️

Howeverm, I bought a 3rd Detolf a couple of years ago and I've yet to assemble it. I'll be curious if it has the same thickness of shelves as my older Detolfs.
Click to expand...

I believe the change happened earlier this year. When I moved last May I bought two more and they are both the old strength. Just the one I bought this month is bad.

If the shelves aren’t visibly thinner than the ones in your old one, you’re good. They new shelves are really thin in comparison.
 
I'm wondering if it is just the glass shelves that were made thinner, less resistant, or if the change also involves the metal armature that supports them being less strong.
 
I've had a couple of Detolfs for many years. They are probably at least 15 years old now if I had to guess. About 3 years ago I got a 3rd one, but I never got around to setting it up until now. I was getting ready to move at the time. But, now that I've moved I'm finally setting up my man cave.

Look at the difference in glass thickness between the old (left) and the new (right).
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