Shelving and Display Advice!

[danmar85]

As someone who's new to collecting comic books I lack any real shelving to hold a - hopefully - growing collection of books. I'm hoping this thread can be used for advice on building or buying shelving for your collections. Any advice on displays or decorations are welcome as well.

General Questions That Can Be Answered
- Preferred brand or model of shelving.
- Adjustable vs fixed shelving.
- Shelving that suits floppy collections.
- Shelving that suits hardcover collections.
- Posting your own custom shelving or displays.
- What chemicals to use or avoid when finishing your own shelf or display. (e.g., Paint, Varnish, Stain)
- Decorations that add to the aesthetic of your collection.
- General and detailed display advice.


PS: Please avoid turning this into another shelf collection thread. One already exists here. Posting images for reference is fine of course, but avoid posting images unless it's relevant to your post. Thank You.

PPS: If you notice any wrong information or have any recommendations, please feel free to post or PM me.

[danmar85]

Resources

Shelving

• Ikea Expedit
• Ikea Kallax - Replaces the discontinued Expedit line. Only difference in dimensions is a slightly thinner outside frame and rounded edges. Suitable for both hardcover collections and singles in short boxes. Dimensions of each compartment measure: H13.25" x W 13.25" x D 15.38". The height makes it suitable for all, but the most extreme sized books, easily fitting DC Absolutes and DH Library Editions without a problem.
• Closetmaid Cubeicals - Similar to the Expedit/Kallax line, but available at Target. Height limit of 11.75" prevents storage of editions like DC Absolute and DH Library Editions.
• Ikea Billy - The stand alone Billy bookcases come in widths of 40cm (15 3/4") or 80cm (31 1/2") and come in heights of 202cm (79 1/2") and 106cm (41 3/4"). The main advantage they have over the Expedit/Kallax line is it's adjustable shelving, which should allow clearance for even your tallest books if planned correctly. A height extension can also be attached to the top of a Billy shelf, which will add 35cm (13 5/8") to it's total height and includes one extra shelf.

Display

• Ribba Picture Ledge - Suitable for display of singles, TPB's and possibly thin hardcovers.

Websites
Comicase.com - Sells a unique storage case for your singles and stands for display options.


Useful Articles
Five Rules Of Shelf Organisation by Stuart Kirman aka Kirky

[danmar85]

Reference
Ikea Kallax - Link 1
Ikea Ribba - Link 1
Ikea Billy - Link 1/Link 2

[NZ_InFerno]

I believe the preferred shelving is the IKEA Expedit, though it's been discontinued.

[danmar85]

I believe the preferred shelving is the IKEA Expedit, though it's been discontinued.

It looks like they replaced it with the Kallax line, which is the same except it's a bit more trim to save on material. I've never owned Ikea furniture so I have no idea of it's quality. They look nice though.

[John Keyt]

If you look on the form the collector edition shelf porn here at cbr you will see the Ikea units that I used . They hold a short box rather nicely . Also built my own stand for holding my long boxes . Used a sheet of 3/4 inch finish plywood and 4 spindles cost around 60 bucks to build . Spinner racks are cool to . They are just cool . I was at the comic store and they sell a plastic frame to hold a comic modern or silver style for 10 bucks a piece . Look not to bad . Also comicase.com has some cool display frames . Hope this helps .

[Odin]

It looks like they replaced it with the Kallax line, which is the same except it's a bit more trim to save on material. I've never owned Ikea furniture so I have no idea of it's quality. They look nice though.

For $65 or whatever it is, as long as you build it tight it's great. If you half ass it or don't tighten stuff enough it can wobble a bit. Otherwise, it's good quality for what it is. There's certainly no need to spend hundreds for a shelf.

[Odin]

I believe the preferred shelving is the IKEA Expedit, though it's been discontinued.

Definitely. It was great. Own 2 of the 2x4 ones and 1 of the 1x5. Thanks danmar85 for the tip about Kallax though. Didn't know that.

[arosenbarger]

Ikea is opening up a shop around my hometown. I'm wary of picking up shelves from Ikea due to the weight of my Omnibuses, trades, OHC. My collections consists of about 200 books, with a fourth of them being omnis or HCs.

Have you had any success in getting shelves from Ikea or anywhere else? (I ask about Ikea because I know they make product specific items) What do you recommend?

[NZ_InFerno]

Moving this to the Shelf advice thread in 3...2...1

[arosenbarger]

Moving this to the Shelf advice thread in 3...2...1

Dang it. That makes too much sense...

[Dorktron]

I recently bought a large Kallax shelving unit from IKEA. I do like it but it has some wobble to it and I was kinda surprised how much of a pain in the ass it was to assemble even with my wife helping. I will probably buy one of the smaller Kallax shelves once this one is full (I still have two cubbies worth of space open for TPBs and OHCs.

[Wollodrin]

Anyone has any ideas for shelving floppies in some sort of book boxes?
I don't have a lot of floppies (~200), I am mostly collecting hardcovers/absolutes/omnibus etc.
So if I could get some type of book box with like 10+ comics in each, it be great... Preferably a see through which allows me to put a print in or around it.
That way I would be able to shelve them in a nice way among the rest of my hardcovers.

[drd]

Anyone has any ideas for shelving floppies in some sort of book boxes?
I don't have a lot of floppies (~200), I am mostly collecting hardcovers/absolutes/omnibus etc.
So if I could get some type of book box with like 10+ comics in each, it be great... Preferably a see through which allows me to put a print in or around it.
That way I would be able to shelve them in a nice way among the rest of my hardcovers.

41YGlEPC2DL.jpg

These probably look like they exactly what your after http://www.bcwsupplies.com/comic-boo...folio-1-5-inch

[Wollodrin]

That is perfect, thanks drd.

edit:
Now I just need to find a good place to shop them at that ships to Europe and doesn't ask a arm and a leg for it.
Bcw store asks 250$ for shipping 10 of them and amazon doesn't ship these to the Netherlands.

edit2:
Found/bought a bunch of them from a German ebay seller.