Detolf advice please

[THEGUVNA]

Hi all,

Sorry for another Detolf thread to all who have seen many before me!!

I have finally bought my first cabinet(The Detolf!)and wanted to ask a couple of questions to existing owners if anyone could spare a second please.

1) - A TODAY QUESTION REALLY!!!! I want to put it together asap. Is it going to be ok as a one person job or will i need someone else to help? (It is still in the box!!)I know it is heavy so don't want to start and then get stranded with lengths of glass everywhere!

2) - To stop those prying hands from the curious desire to touch anything within, I want(NEED)to put a lock on it. Can anyone tell me what type of lock i need, maybe where i can get one for such a cabinet design?

3) - I have seen a few threads on lighting options and recently the humidity and temperature problems. I think I am going to get a hygrometer to monitor this but still unsure on the best lighting for the Detolf for our collections. Can someone give me a tried and tested option for lighting please?

4) - Where i want to put the cabinet is about 18 inches from a radiator but away from direct sunlight which is why i want to put it there. Bad idea?!

My small collection consists of German, US and Brit stuff so not sure it would be of interest to some of the avid Wehrmacht collectors, but I have only recently seen the true treasures in the world of German collecting and am adding these more than anything else now. Also, personally, i like a ground dug relic and have a few of these too, which probably doesn't appeal to most, but I do aim to add more mint like items in the future.
My most prized dug item is actually a US 101st paratrooper used cricket from D Day, dug from where there had been a temporary cemetery at St Mere Eglise, Normandy. It hasn't got the same glorious appearance some of the items of the Wehrmacht but is quite rare and hard to find which is why I like it!

Anyway, any updated help with my Detolf will be so very gratefully received.

Many thanks for you time.

Kev

[coco bandy]

1) I did it the most myself only with turning around I asked help, so I think it's better a two persons job!

2) No idea sorry.

3) I got myself a IKEA cabinet light, but it's like 10 mins a day on (max.) so can't help you with this either.

4) Don't know of heath from your radiator is damaging your collecting, mines is next to an wall away from sunlight, IMO it's not an bad spot to place it.

Greetz,

coco bandy

[evilmike]

i built mine myself with no help, if your carefull its easy. I can see why it says two people, but also so they dont get sued in old Health and safety today.

I have stick on led lights AAA batteries which work great but never use them though

best lock i think, would be a patio door lock to attach to the top, looks arent great but its about all you can do

as all the sides are pretty open, humidty etc is going to be at room levels imo

[THEGUVNA]

Thanks very much Coco and Mike.

I'm in two minds whether to start assembly now. Keen to get it up but currently still lame from a leg op(10 months now!)so not as agile as I should be just now!

Coco, do you leave the lights off because of the potential damage from them or by choice?

Mike, LED's sound viable but do you not have them on purely by choice and when on, do they illuminate ok for you? And are they on each shelf?

Thanks again guys.

Kev

P.S. Mike, finally getting my Mandewirth HJ on your database today!! Scott must think I dont really have it after all this time!!

[evilmike]

If i remember right it was alittle awkward as you have to hold the glass in position and offer up the other sides i think, thats where the extra hands would be useful but that said its pretty easily done, i'd be on the case now.

as for the led's i have them on the roof they light up reasonably well, obviously the more on the shelves less light to the base. i looked at puttin them on each shelf but being glass, you could see the lights looked alittle pants. but that would depend on what is on your shelves.

I dont really use them but in the dark lit up it looks amazin, quite errie glow around the awards and helmets


this is the leds, mine are in black few diff colours i paid 90p each some places are selling them for quite alot more.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3-X-STICK-N-CL...QQcmdZViewItem

[mike y]

I also put mine together by myself.
I collect mostly combat badges, so to keep the humidity away from them I have them in cases, and then I have hidden packets of silica gel in with them..... just a thought

[THEGUVNA]

Thats it then lads. I'm gonna unwrap that bad boy and give it a try!

Any pics of the L.E.D.'s at all Mike? I'd love to see them in action before i make any decisions. Where do you get these from? I think I saw someone mention fish tank lights somewhere.

Cheers-Kev

I'll let you know if my leg snaps during the lifting, probably after I return from hospital though!!!

[Niblet]

I put mine together alongside my bed and used the bed to hold the glass upright for until i got the second piece in place etc,

LEDS would be the way to go as they emit little or no heat.
I would keep it away from the radiator,,but as long as it didnt get to hot maybe it would be ok I guess

[THEGUVNA]

I put mine together alongside my bed and used the bed to hold the glass upright for until i got the second piece in place etc,

LEDS would be the way to go as they emit little or no heat.
I would keep it away from the radiator,,but as long as it didnt get to hot maybe it would be ok I guess

Thanks.
Saw that just as I was looking at using the sofa to do the same thing you used the bed for!!
Coming into summer now, the radiator won't be on really so I will see how things go. It's a good spot and in my living room where I want it. I want to be able to enjoy the cabinet and it's precious contents!

Here goes then....!!!!

[evilmike]

I'll try some photos when iam home next in a few days, good luck... if we hear shattering glass we know your getting stuck in

[Adrian]

Does anyone get dust problems in their Detolf cabinets? I've been toying with the idea of getting one but the gap down the hinge side is putting me off as it is a huge area to let the dust in.
I have helmets and a visor in a cabinet at the moment and they get covered in dust despite the door of the cabinet fitting fairly tightly with minimal gaps.

[evilmike]

only very slightly over the year, nothing like the back of my tv to compare say which was more grey than black

I would say you'd have to look quite hard to see it, yes it isnt air tight by any means but its quite well enclosed

[Adrian]

only very slightly over the year, nothing like the back of my tv to compare say which was more grey than black

I would say you'd have to look quite hard to see it, yes it isnt air tight by any means but its quite well enclosed

Cheers Mike,
I'll have to buy a bigger TV which will therefore attract more dust away from my collection!

[evilmike]

i recommend a Sony 32inch LCD flat screen as a perfect starting point, for the benefit of science and collectors everywhere if Sony or a kind benefactor want to donate me a new 42inch tv for a comparatable study of dust attraction, and hell another deltov while we're at it, iam your guinea pig

Ikea do a much better locking cabinet, more space more shelves called aspvik?? i think but its only got a glass front and at £90 rather more than the old deltov

[coco bandy]

'Coco, do you leave the lights off because of the potential damage from them or by choice?'

Just bij choice I got enough day light in my room, only in the evening when I'm busy with my collection I put the light on .

greetz,