Ikea Display Cabinets

[Robin]

So the IKEA DETOLF display cabinet is the staple of people who don't want dust on stuff and I wanted to know are they any good?

I know many GTP'ers have them for collections and I'm thinking of buying one but been reading some stories about them not being all that sturdy and kinda dangerous. Things like the glass exploding without warning, shelves falling at random, making creaking noises with temp fluctuations, the door falling out etc.

How have people's experience been with them?

Thanks

 

[AOS-]

Glass exploding without warning sounds farfetched. That all sounds kind of farfetched.

I don't have one from IKEA, but I do know many anime figure collectors buy these all the time. They get at least 5 and line them up. Some have up to 10 even, so I can't see people buying up that many if those stories were true.

 

[Robin]

I saw pictures like this on figure collector websites, they claim they didn't touch anything. That's why I was worried.

 

[AOS-]

I am baffled.

In that first picture, the top hinge is still intact, so it mustn't have fell off...

"Exploding" sounds like a misleading word they're using. Perhaps a small earthquake or something ground-shaking caused the right frequency of vibrations to shatter the glass?

Maybe they're located somewhere where climate conditions aren't favourable for it? Maybe the product warning label will state something about that.

Maybe they put things too heavy on top of the cabinet? That top wooden panel is still on the side glass panes after all.



Or it could just be really cheap glass that can't stand temperature change from turning on the display lamp....

 

[Robin]

Well it might be that temperature changes makes the glass expand and contract, some said they hear popping and creaking noises at night. I guess over time this can cause the glass to press into the wood and shatter. Putting stuff on top probably makes it worse. Plus is weighs a ton on it's own (40KG).

Seriously if you Goggle about it there are quite a few incidents that have happened, I'm wondering if its just assembly error or if the glass is not that great. People put thousands of dollars worth of stuff in them

 

[AOS-]

Usually. I blame it on assembly error, but it is glass, a material I hardly ever work with.

I wouldn't worry about the stuff unless it's the shelf or top board that breaks/falls or the stuff happens to be extremely delicate.

Like I said, I don't own one, so guessing is the best I can do for you. Googling is what you're already doing so there's no sense in me doing it. Sorry!

 

[Robin]

A few GTP'ers have them (for model cars etc) so hopefully they will chime in.

Thanks for the replies @AOS- 👍

 

[cbarbosa]

@Robin. imo its seems the pics you posted are result of strucutre failure:

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The lenght/weight of the glass is way too big for only 2 supports. A minimum of 3 is required for solid support of the glass. I had one of these from IKEA Portugal. After a month, the cabinet started to make some funny noises and I found out that the glass hinges were loose... I had to make several structural changes and spent some money on a new glass.

I eventually had to get rid of it, and made a custom one myself, to put 600+ diecasts... So, therefore, in my opinion, its better to avoid these cabinets, but its still a personal decision.... 👍

Heres a pic of a custom one I build a long time ago (with thick glass and heavy dutty supports:

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