Action Figure Blues Forum

How To Display Action Figures and Collectibles

So you have a great action figure collection but you wonder how should you display it?  Well there are a few things to consider.  The first will be the space you have and the amount you have to display.  You may have too many to display all at once and you may need to rotate your display the way museums rotate their exhibits.  This is after all Your Action Figure Museum and you should treat it that way.

Another factor to include is will the action figures be out loose or Mint On Card (MOC) or Mint In Box (MIB).  Packaged action figures will take up more room and may require a different approach to how you display them.

Take a good look at what the others here have done with their collections.  There are some great ideas here on this board and others like it on the Internet.  Most collectors like us have tried one thing or another so you can learn from our experience.

Here is what my room evolved into over the first 10 years of my collection.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/47133017.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/48808843.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/48809587.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/48809670.jpg)

It was basic open bookcases, I then added wood shelving and then glass shelving.  It was basically putting up whatever I could afford as I needed to put it up.  It served me well for many years but there was no common design flow and everything was everywhere.  It ended up looking too cluttered.  Since collections start small and tend to grow over time I think many others have had similar experiences.

Measure Twice, Cut Once:

So my collection got taken down and put in storage for a few years and I started looking for a new way to display the collection.  I looked at other people’s collections. I looked at home improvement stores and custom display systems designed for action figures and collectibles.  I read reviews of different systems and when I decided what I wanted to use I bought one to try out.  

I drew up a scale floor plan to make sure everything fit where I wanted it to fit.  It is easier to move things around on paper than to do it for real.  Take pictures of your space and the things you want to use.  The human eye looks at real life one way and still life (pictures) another.  I took thousands of digital pictures as I worked on my room.  It not only documented the progress but also allowed me to see it differently and put things in perspective.  

Bookcases:

I like wood, so I had custom bookcases made.  While I got them from a small local store they were actually made in another State and shipped to me.  I like ones with glass doors on the front and think they look the best.  They will also help protect you collection from dust.  An open loose collection on an open shelf will collect dust

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/317200438.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/317200454.jpg)

Another consideration was Hurricanes.  I had real wood bookcases made.  Yes, they are more expensive but they are also a lot stronger than any particleboard laminated bookcase you get in most stores.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/317200461.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/317200469.jpg)

Having had to take down the collection (when it was much smaller) twice I wanted something that would protect the collection and not need to be taken down.  If you live in an area that gets hit but severe storms you may want to take this into consideration.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/317200474.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/370525777.jpg)

Bookcases do not need to be big and deep to be effective.  Here Andy has great simple clean design that does not take up too much depth.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/3530872124_9ae5ba17ec.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2229/3530873210_158e3f1f4f.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/3530874272_dc212b320a.jpg)
  
Bookcases don’t have to be all wood either.  Here Westy has a great example of all glass cases.  Perfect for lighting and not creating too much shadow.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3542639022_a389e06723.jpg)
An Overview

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2089/3541877201_e1e383051d.jpg)
My Avengers Shelf

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2398/3542675782_7de4a860f6.jpg)
My X-Men Shelf

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3569/3542671604_a5c47c8281.jpg)
My Spider-Man Shelf as it currently stands.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/3542654670_884fdc0d5c.jpg)
How The Spider-Man Shelf used to be

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3542688290_65e31e20b9.jpg)
Statue Size Things Shelf.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/3541872841_8f9237e2d8.jpg)
Marvel U Shelf

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/3541827411_256f2a4e69.jpg)
DBZ Shelf (It's mainly Vegeta)

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3542630682_3882f75f25.jpg)


Tiered Stands:

A tiered display is nothing more than putting your display on a set of steps.  This is perfect of putting many more figures on a shelf and still be able to see them all.  You will need to take into consideration if you will use figure stands or not.  Some figures like DC Direct and series JLA and others have stands that come with the figures.  The stands look great but will take up more space.

I used a Display System I from Mini Mag Stands (I did a review on this board)  These are made of metal and powder coated.  The ones I used were made in a custom width for my bookcases.  There are many other tiered systems out there in solid plastic and clear acrylic and other material that will work well too.

Originally I had expandable plastic tiered trays that are for use in a pantry.  They were my first attempt at “stadium seating” for my display.  I got them at a kitchen tool store but you can find other places I would guess too.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/49996822.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/3825699/49996871.jpg)

They are white and fit in well and could be painted any color.  I use them in my new room too.  Only I glued a few of them together and cut two of the into a corner section and put JLU on them.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/311429216.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/311429237.jpg)

These plastic stands come in different sizes and the ones the JLU now stand on are larger ones that G.I. Joe used to stand on.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/304379533.jpg)

This shows how shallow a normal book case is compared to the custom bookcases and how the Mini Mag Stands Display System I hangs out over the shelf.

Figure Stands:

To use stands or not depends upon your preference and you shelf space.  The system I use is metal so I can use small magnet stands from Mini Mag Stands to hold them firmly in place.  I also glued some of my JLU directly to the plastic display they stand on.  I did not want a domino effect massive fall so I compromised.  I don’t suggest you glue your figures down, but it works for me.

Shelving:

If you are going to use shelving I recommend glass over wood or solid shelving.  

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/320463888.jpg)

Glass shelves will let the light filter down and look to take up less space than solid ones do.  They also just look better.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/314092883.jpg)

The same is true for glass shelving in bookcases.  Also glass shelves low to the ground will not block out what is below them like a solid shelf will.

Here is a great example of a simple shelf set up from NiteOwl

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja008.jpg)

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja010.jpg)

It’s simple to put up and I like the figures like Spider-man hanging upside down and others flying along the edge.

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja011.jpg)

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja012.jpg)

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja013.jpg)

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja014.jpg)

(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e57/NiteOwl75/ja015.jpg)

Large Items:

If you have a huge playset you can use a Sofa Table.  These tables usually go behind a sofa but I used one for the huge Batman Forever Batcave

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/302267351.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/302267343.jpg)

Hanging Displays:

Hanging things takes up a new thought process too.  

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/369357273.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/368447291.jpg)

I hung Star Trek Starships and Batwings and such from the ceiling.  I hung them above 6 foot 2 or 3 inches so most people will walk under them (I'm six feet tall) or I hung them close to a bookcase so nobody would walk under it.  The last thing you want is somebody to lean over to look at something on a low shelf and then stand up and knock out something hanging.  

Sorting Things Out:

So how do you sort out your action figures?  That is up to your preferences.  You can sort them by series like all JLA or Legends Of Batman or whatever.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/295465228.jpg)
JLA figures

You could sort them in order.  I sorted my Star Trek figures in chronological order based on the different TV series.  The original series followed by Next Generation, Deep Space Nine and then Voyager.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/368446758.jpg)
Star Trek

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/368446749.jpg)
Star Trek

Maybe sort them by teams like Justice League or Teen Titans, Avengers, X-Men, Green Lantern Corps.  Like what Jackknight did

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/036-5.jpg)

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/LOSV.jpg)

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/BatmanRogues.jpg)

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/JLAVillains.jpg)

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/SupermanRogues.jpg)

(http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk246/Jackknight92/FlashRogues.jpg)

Or like what supermarvel1 did with these.

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w23/supermarvel1/group003.jpg)

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w23/supermarvel1/mcguinness002.jpg)

Summary:

The best advice is to take your time and look at every option you can.  Plan it all out before you start work and everything should be fine.  In my case I ordered too many of the Mini Mag Stand displays as I did not take into consideration height issues in the bookcases.  They also built some of the bookcases a ½” less deep than others and the Mini Mag Stand displays would not fit and I had to trim some of them to fit.  I also decided that glass shelving would look better for my Batmobiles so I will change out the Mini Mag Stand displays currently holding them one day.

So be flexible with your plans as they may change once you start working on it.

Good Luck

More Resources:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2283183_display-action-figure-collection.html

http://www.helium.com/items/677760-action-figure-collecting-action-figure-display-ideas

http://actionfigures.about.com/od/displayingyourcollection/Displaying_Your_Collection.htm

http://www.poeghostal.com/2009/01/review-action-figure-displays.html

http://www.minimagstands.com/shop/

http://www.collectingwarehouse.com/Product-Home-Page/Action-Figure-Stands?gclid=CJ2w2JyBhJ4CFdpb2godMxAgow

http://www.theearthtoymall.com/decl3toyacfi.html

http://www.smalljoes.com/apex-action-figure-collectibles-display-case.shtml

Great summary of the various bits and pieces F!

Love it! Especially using the galleries we have here to provide references. Certainly saves you looking.

Awesome stuff FlaBat! Thanks for the summary!!

Top notch and detailed work as always mate,you never disappoint.Really inspired idea and definitely pointworthy!

Thanks guys.  Could somebody Sticky it for me so we have it handy for people looking for ideas on displays.

Are those Parrothead plates on the wall FlaBat? Awesome.

I'm a Parrothead.  Yes they are.  I have one of his books that he autographed and quilt my mother in-law sew up made from old Jimmey Buffett T-Shirts.

Cool, dude. I just wish I could afford to go see him again. Pavilion ticket were outrageous this year. (And I'm just to darn old to want to sit on the lawn.)

More Shelving Ideas

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/322328866.jpg)

Here are two examples of using a narrow shelf I got at a home improvement store and set it in the fixed shelf space of a bookcase.  To support it I used two wire mesh Pencil Cups I got at a home improvement store.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/322328875.jpg)

It allowed for more items in the same space as I could tuck some under the smaller shelf.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/369677415.jpg)

Above I took a wire mesh Copy Stand used to hold a book that I got at an office supply store and bent from the original “V” shape to a 90 degree angle to make a small shelf on a bookcase.  I used small screws to hold it in place.

Flying Stands

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/304379517.jpg)

The Batcopter (left rear) sits on a clear plastic box.  I used lots of clear plastic boxes in a step display.  The Batjet hangs on a flying stand I made from bending a paper stack pin (not sure of the name, but it’s a spike that sits on a desk) that you can get at any office supply store.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/18651870/377789857.jpg)

I originally used it as an idea for flying figures like Superman but ended up using it for the Batjet so I could get all the vehicles from that series on one shelf together.  For Superman I drilled a hole in his foot and bent the stand slightly.

Small Items and Role Play

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/368174459.jpg)

Look closely at the above picture and you see items from a typical office desk reused for display.  At the back are wire mesh stackable In/Out Trays.  I drilled holes in their bottoms and put in Machine Screws held in by Nuts an Washers to use as pegs to hang the Phasers.  I then mounted them on the back of the bookcase wall.  A small wire mesh cup was turned upside down and now has the Klingon Disruptor resting on it.  Wire mesh Business Card holders were perfect for TNG Tricorders on the left side and TOS Communicators and TNG Phaser and Communicator from the latest film on the right side.

Playsets

I like using playsets for displays whenever possible.

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/370525788.jpg)

(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL392/1978846/22153993/370525784.jpg)

The playset in the two pictures above is the same model (different series versions) only the one on top shows the outside of Wayne Manor and inside of the Batcave and the lower pictures shows what is on the other side.

Done!

Call me crazy but doesn't supermarvel1 has some figures that aren't out yet? JLA Classified Hal and Batgirl as well as Blackest night John? or I'm seeing things?

Anyway thanks for the tip, my collection is kinda looks like that one and never though of have them arranged like that

with that I might find a better place for my small collection

(http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5383/copyofdsci0021.th.jpg) (http://img513.imageshack.us/i/copyofdsci0021.jpg/)

(http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/8118/copyofdsci0003.th.jpg) (http://img524.imageshack.us/i/copyofdsci0003.jpg/)

(http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/5350/dsc01495ed6.th.jpg) (http://img61.imageshack.us/i/dsc01495ed6.jpg/)


I'll try it

I'll show you how did it went!

cool display flat bat. for going to try that with my night crawler and spider man .  and love how you got your tv show batmobile displayed going to have to reranage and display mne. plus maybe use your tips to bring out some of my pieces i put in storage for a while. love the tips and display

may also try the tip for play sets and ships since been trying to figure out how to better display my xmen black bird.  and my bat cave better. as for me i also use for display purposes shadow boxes they work good for certain figures espically the three inch line. or in my case have my transformers my version of the Jla  they work good espically for wanting to hang figures on walls. and keeps out having to dust the figures for a while till one decides to switch out the display.

Holy cow those pics are wicked! how the hell do you guys do the dusting!!!!

Ah yes! Good old dust. The enemy of intricate figure collectors everywhere. I thnk the only solution is to do what Andy did and have doors on the front of your cabinets/display units.

Do you guys buy doubles of your figures and take one out of the box and keep one in box?

I certainly don't. Considering that it's hard enough to find space in our house at the moment, plus that we have to actually buy most of my stuff from the US, buying double isn't happening. Especially with my attempts to get some of the more expensive Marvel Legends that I missed from not starting collecting when they were released. I mean 2 lots of Hawkeye, Deadpool, or Scarlet Spider? No thanks.

(http://www.tamiyausa.com/images/product/510/74078/74078.jpg)
http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=74078

I actually saw this in the shop yesterday. The cost is a bit steep, but it'd get some good use in my home.

ok cool fair enough! just seeing alot out on display and out of pack i figured you guys might get doubles.. i cant afford it.. i used to at first but no way i can do that now!

thats cool! i bought an decent artists brush and thats just as good for statues and stuff. not as expensive as that either .. just get a soft bristle brush!

Not generally no.

I have doubles of about half my Marvel Legends, some m.o.c and some loose. I got them as the opportunity presented itself. I didn't actually buy two sets as they were released though. Most army builders I have multiples too such as about 10 Hydra soldiers, 5 Sentinels, etc.


I've got one of those photographer lens cleaning brushes. Y'know the soft little brush but it's got the air puffer attached? So s you brush you can squeeze it ad it blows air too.

That's a good idea!

Does anyone know where in Australia you can find those step-shelves to hold figures or a simple technique to make some for yourself? I have an old display case I would like to use but the shelving is really no good, if I could put something inside to host them it would at least make it somewhat decent looking

Pretty sure Howard's Storage world has what you're after. Problem is the price. It's about $30 odd. I remember Andy posting about some a year ago.

Otherwise....old VHS tapes? ;D

Yep, I get mine from Howard's Storage World and haven't seen them anywhere else. They are usually just shy of $30.

The main bugger with them is that the label on them is insanely hard to get off. You think it's just a sticker that peels off but somewhere in the middle there is a killer adhesive that always creates a nightmare.

Do you have a link? I am checking out there site but dont know what category, what area etc to find them

I think FlaBat may have posted al ink to some mail order ones too. He definitely posted pics tho'

It was pretty much a white plastic version of this, with a non-slip pad on the tiers that drove Andy berko:

http://shop.hsw.com.au/?product&id_prod=501&id_cat=1&id_dept=

Yeah, that'd be the one. Grr, those plastic strips!!!

Well, since I'd rather spend the cash on figures than in stepped displays, I started making my own out of the cardboard keyboard boxes I had left over from work.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Errex/Fotos%20del%20Cel/07-09-10_2203.jpg)

I tried to spruce up the look by adding some texture to the first one I made, but even though he end result was not too bad, I think I'll need to experiment a little more. I am thinking of themed custom steps for specific lines, maybe.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Errex/Fotos%20del%20Cel/20-09-10_2213.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Errex/Fotos%20del%20Cel/20-09-10_2212.jpg)

As for blueprints, well, these are made from refuse cardboard. Experiment and ruin a few sheets until you find a design that works for you.

All I'd add is that using a hot glue gun is recommended to work with the larger sections, but as the piece nears completion you'll need the extra setting time afforded by regular white glue.

They look great Errex.

Recently, I started fooling around with mini display shelves made from cardboard. I think I may give them also some texture or color some time in the future, but for the time being I just needed to un-clutter some spaces.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Errex/Custom%20Shop/IMG00681-20110819-0650.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Errex/Custom%20Shop/IMG00688-20110822-0623.jpg)

The more immediate improvement would be to make the shelves deeper, I think, but it's still an ongoing learning process.

The Cardboard actually works a hell of a lot better than i would have thought.Very clever idea Errex,the Mini Shelves work great for individual Displays.
I actually need to make Step-like Displays in the future myself and this seems like a much more appealing alternative to using Wood.What did you use for the texturing?

I mixed some sand with very diluted PVA glue for the texture on the "stone" steps. Then I realized I could have saved some glue if I had just mixed the sand in with very diluted black or gray acrylic paint. [think]

Really clever stuff Errex and they look great. It's not easy to come up with good displays without it costing a fortune but you've really done a great job there.

As for the paint/sand you should always add a little PVA to help it bond.

Looking good.

I once picked up some Textured Stone Paint from a Craft Store.There's different colours and it actually looks really effective when applied.There was even one that looked very close to Bitumen.Might be good for this sort of thing.

I remember there were cans of "fake marble" spray paint in stores at some point. Might be a good idea to look for those, although I don't know if they are still made nowadays.

These are all great ideal everyone has given but how do you display them if still their original package?  This includes all the 6" figures that have been put into plastic clam shell to protect them! Taking them out would solve that problem but I prefer to keep them in packages. Any type of help would be highly appreciated !!!   

It really depends on the packaging. If it's the type of clamshell that stands on its own then any kind of bookcase can serve as a display stand. However, most collectors would kill for something like this which is one step below getting something custom built.

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f265/fishmilkshake/bookcase01.jpg)

Your other option would be to just have a large sheet of MDF and create your own peg hooks that you can hang your figures from.

Also, keep and eye out for retail stores that are going out of business as they often sell their shop fittings. I got these cabinets from a music store that was closing down. They were $100 each.

(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f265/fishmilkshake/IMG_2230.jpg)

I have been looking in to this very issue, and have found sites like that sell cases for individual figures like this one:

http://www.theearthtoymall.com/discas.html

Does that suit what you're looking for?

Again, welcome aboard!

Andy

Thank you for your ideals! Look on the site posted and the clam shells I get at a local collection place here called Frank and Sons! A big warehouse full of venders competing for your dollars so prices are pretty good! I was hanging them up in groups but that limits you with wall space. Just moved so trying to redisplay them in their own room or as my wife would say the " Toy Room "! Keep throwing me ideal guys and first chance I get I will post picture of my collection!

"Toy Rooms" are never big enough  :(

Is that not the bloody truth!!

Ikea Detolf Owners,

So I assembled my first Detolf today. Not sure I want to invest in another.

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/dwcrabbegmail/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/1stIKEADetolfFullShot_zps1cd555d3.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/dwcrabbegmail/media/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/1stIKEADetolfFullShot_zps1cd555d3.jpg.html)

For the most part it was pretty easy until I dealt with the door.

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/dwcrabbegmail/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/1stIKEADetolfBrokenPiece_zpsae05b3ee.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/dwcrabbegmail/media/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/1stIKEADetolfBrokenPiece_zpsae05b3ee.jpg.html)

I thought the top right door hinge was fairly secure (see the red arrow above).

Then when leaving the door *GASPS* open the cylinder (noted in Lime Green) broke or popped off due to not being able to support the weight of the open door.

I was able to screw the piece back in and secure it when the door was closed. But I feel like the door is pretty precarious. Any tips or anything I'm missing as a first-time user?
Or can you just not leave the doors on these things open for more than 30 seconds (or supporting the weight with your right hand while you try to pose an action figure with your non-default hand)? 

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/dwcrabbegmail/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0065_zpsd2b5a1ab.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/dwcrabbegmail/media/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0065_zpsd2b5a1ab.jpg.html)

I have four of these, and haven't had a similar issue. It is really important to get the tightness of those door hinges right, but once they are you should be able to leave the door open without concern.

(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/14316062270_f763671c97_o.jpg)

It popped off again, but I tried to do what you and another IKEA owner mentioned.

Hopefully the hinge isn't so high, yet also tight enough.

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/dwcrabbegmail/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0066_zps41a40938.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/dwcrabbegmail/media/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0066_zps41a40938.jpg.html)

(http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a411/dwcrabbegmail/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0067_zps974515ee.jpg) (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/dwcrabbegmail/media/6-24-2014%201st%20IKEA%20DETOLF/DSC_0067_zps974515ee.jpg.html)

I own two, can't say I've faced similar issues, but it's been some time since I last had them open for any length of time. Planning a major overhaul of the displays soon, however.

A bit off topic (but that's a given on this forum), but I never get tired of watching your collection Scott. It's amazing!

Apparently I put the hinges on backward. I'll have to fiddle with it again after work.

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions.

So I imagine these Mini Mag display stands aren't "in print" any longer as the website is no longer active?

Which ones were they?

I was thinking maybe those tiered ones

(http://www.toydirectory.com/MiniMagStands/p1.gif)

I picked up a smaller version of those recently from a storage supply place.

Guess I'll have to look around.  :)

I'm going to make some of those in the near future for my growing mob of minifigures. Essentially, I'm going to make the supports with foam core board and then make the steps from poster board. Then, if I get ambitious enough, I'll either get fancy paper or print custom graphics to cover the poster board.

I saw this on a vinyl figure site and it was pretty effective. I like the idea of being able to custom fit it to my shelves.

So, the movers managed to destroy many of my cube like shelves that I use to display most of my collection (in addition to losing a tv, dining table and all of my yard tools). This has created an opportunity for me to transition to a nicer display solution. I think I will purchase some detolfs but I wanted to ask if anyone had a suggestion for lighting? I see that ikea has a light that they suggest using. Has anyone tried anything else, like led strips or others? Any pros or cons? Thanks.

I've been moving my Star Wars collection to Ikea Billy bookcases for the last few years.

Here's how far I've gotten so far:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339447863_a0303752c0_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGjQ3T) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50314709677_c30859c9b1_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jE93fr) (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50339448098_2962be4ab5_w.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2jGjQ7W)

DarthRay

That looks great!! The Billy is really a collectors dream for our displays.