Well, I am done with my Custom Display Cases, based on the DETOLF AND KALLAX line from IKEA. I wanted to Give back to the forum which helped me during my quest to build the display cases these figures deserve! So here we go!
PART I : HELP BUILDING A DETOLF AND BASE, VISUAL GUIDE.
Parts needed
1.DETOLF Glass-door cabinet, black-brown $69.99 Article Number: 101.192.06 ( TWO PACKAGES)
DETOLF Glass-door cabinet - IKEA
2. KALLAX Shelving unit, black-brown $59.99 Article Number: 402.758.46
KALLAX Shelving unit - birch effect - IKEA
3. KALLAX Insert with door, black-brown $15.00 Article Number: 602.781.70
KALLAX Insert with door - birch effect - IKEA
Tools needed:
IKEA Crank tool (included in KIT)
Screwdriver, Phillips and standard
A extra set of hands
To Start, you will need a large area to work in. Better to move the final piece than try to assemble this in a closed area. The glass panels are large and need to be moved with freedom.
You will begin with TWO boxes...repeat TWO boxes. Each DETOLF will have a very similar BOX one Labeled "1" and another "2". Do not rely on IKEA staff to tell you this. The Kallax comes in a single box, and 4 single boxes for the doors.
Open each BOX and Identify the parts.
We will start with the KALLAX, Lay each side piece out. Identify the top of each piece and be sure to line them up correctly.
The post Screw placement is important to make sure to count the holes they go into, and that they line up. Building the KALLAX is very straight forward. You have a long top and bottom piece, 2 sides and 3 interior pieces to create the box shapes. Tips for building are as follows. MAKE SURE the cams are lined up correctly when you tighten them, its critical. also to do be to aggressive with tightening the screw post or cams, snug is good.
The Doors are comprised of a simple hing set, in this case the instruction are pretty good. Fold the thin card board and screw the form into the KALLAX. Again , do not over do it here, flush is fine. MAKE SURE you use the measuring plastic piece they provide to line up this part. It is critical that the interior board in set far enough back into the KALLAX to allow the doors to sit flush and close correctly.
Loosely connect the door to the hinges and take you time aligning the doors. This is more of an art then instruction. But get this right and the KALLAX will look awesome!
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As I said earlier , the KALLAX is pretty straight forward, So lets move to the DETOLF build and the possible snafus with them....
Begin by pulling out the base and lining up the channels so they make a "U" shape and that the two holes are at the top. Each side rail will be placed into the Smaller of the two holes. It does not matter which side of the rails you use, the are equal. IT IS VERY important that you make sure the cross bars on the rails are on the inside. These will act as the shelf rest, so both side rails need to be on the inside..NOT outside. Make this mistake and you will have to rebuild the entire cabinet.
The rails will go though the base entirely, screw in the lag screws to tightness on all four rails. As this point you have to choose if you want the "feet". I did not like the plastic feet that came with the DETOLF. Screwing them in is delicate and if you over do it they will be loose. I recommend using custom feet if you want them. For this build the DETOLFS will sit on top of the KALLAX and the feet are unneeded and will actually make the build look awkward. This is a good time to mention if you plan on doing the custom LED's later in this , you might want to drill the holes into the base needed. (see later in the post).
After this its time to stand up the DETOLF and add the Channel strips. This is a good time to start working with the DETOLF on top of the KALLAX, or you will have to lift them later. It is possible to do this, but you will need help. The orientation of the strips is important. Make sure you align them so the rear glass will fit flush and make the correct corner. Each glass piece is a different size so its important you use the correct ones. The rear piece we will start with has a green sticker on it. TWO side pieces are the same size and the last one will serve as the door.
Here is where you need the extra hands. Line the back glass up first. Place the glass in the channel on the base, then take the channel and run it along the glass. With your helper holding the rear glass, angle the side glass gently into the base of the channel, then slide it along the channel to the top. Push each glass side into the channel as far as they will go. The corner should be very tight with the base, this is important to assure the other side is flush and the overall build is tight.
If you have done this step correctly you will actually see the rails and glass and channel strips will be uneven, this is normal. Next , have your helper stabilize the cabinet while you place the top. The fit her will need some finesse, to align the glass, strips and rails. Once the are aligned it will fall into place easily. Use the lag screws , as you did with the base, for the rails on the top of the cabinet.
Do not tighten these , just put them on until they are secure. When you do do the finally tighten them , its important to note that you do not have to screw them down all the way. The DETOLF is a compression cabinet, as the top and bottom pieces squeeze together to secure the entire cabinet. If you over do it when you tighten, you risk putting too much stress on the cabinet and warping and stressing the side glass.
View attachment 202030
Next , add the metal tab with the sticker to the door glass , this serves as the base for the hinges. Check and recheck the door orientation to be sure its correct. The doors can be mounted in either direction. You will have to make a decision how you want the doors to open. Remember to consider how they will open once placed on the KALLAX. Screw in the metal hinge over the metal contact. DO NOT over tighten this or you risk breaking the glass, tighten till snug. You will also want to be sure the position of the screws will be on the INSIDE of the door after it is mounted.
Place the Hinge supports into the large holes in the base and top. First put the Bottom hinge into the hole, then angle the door up toward the top hole. Remember we did not tighten the top all the way, so you can now lift it up bit to fit the top hinge into the top hole. Once that is in place you can tighten the top Lag screws. Again DO NOT over do it. The glass will warp if you do. You want to examine the glass to be sure it is now bowing in either directions, but it straight.
View attachment 202030
Attach the magnet catch for the door to the top and bottem. Then add the foam sticker to the door for the magnetic plates, and slip the plates over.
Finally , place the rubber shelf supports into the rails, and lay the shelves on top.
Your DEOLF is finished!!!!
PART I : HELP BUILDING A DETOLF AND BASE, VISUAL GUIDE.
Parts needed
1.DETOLF Glass-door cabinet, black-brown $69.99 Article Number: 101.192.06 ( TWO PACKAGES)
DETOLF Glass-door cabinet - IKEA
2. KALLAX Shelving unit, black-brown $59.99 Article Number: 402.758.46
KALLAX Shelving unit - birch effect - IKEA
3. KALLAX Insert with door, black-brown $15.00 Article Number: 602.781.70
KALLAX Insert with door - birch effect - IKEA
Tools needed:
IKEA Crank tool (included in KIT)
Screwdriver, Phillips and standard
A extra set of hands
To Start, you will need a large area to work in. Better to move the final piece than try to assemble this in a closed area. The glass panels are large and need to be moved with freedom.
You will begin with TWO boxes...repeat TWO boxes. Each DETOLF will have a very similar BOX one Labeled "1" and another "2". Do not rely on IKEA staff to tell you this. The Kallax comes in a single box, and 4 single boxes for the doors.
Open each BOX and Identify the parts.
We will start with the KALLAX, Lay each side piece out. Identify the top of each piece and be sure to line them up correctly.
The post Screw placement is important to make sure to count the holes they go into, and that they line up. Building the KALLAX is very straight forward. You have a long top and bottom piece, 2 sides and 3 interior pieces to create the box shapes. Tips for building are as follows. MAKE SURE the cams are lined up correctly when you tighten them, its critical. also to do be to aggressive with tightening the screw post or cams, snug is good.
The Doors are comprised of a simple hing set, in this case the instruction are pretty good. Fold the thin card board and screw the form into the KALLAX. Again , do not over do it here, flush is fine. MAKE SURE you use the measuring plastic piece they provide to line up this part. It is critical that the interior board in set far enough back into the KALLAX to allow the doors to sit flush and close correctly.
Loosely connect the door to the hinges and take you time aligning the doors. This is more of an art then instruction. But get this right and the KALLAX will look awesome!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I said earlier , the KALLAX is pretty straight forward, So lets move to the DETOLF build and the possible snafus with them....
Begin by pulling out the base and lining up the channels so they make a "U" shape and that the two holes are at the top. Each side rail will be placed into the Smaller of the two holes. It does not matter which side of the rails you use, the are equal. IT IS VERY important that you make sure the cross bars on the rails are on the inside. These will act as the shelf rest, so both side rails need to be on the inside..NOT outside. Make this mistake and you will have to rebuild the entire cabinet.
The rails will go though the base entirely, screw in the lag screws to tightness on all four rails. As this point you have to choose if you want the "feet". I did not like the plastic feet that came with the DETOLF. Screwing them in is delicate and if you over do it they will be loose. I recommend using custom feet if you want them. For this build the DETOLFS will sit on top of the KALLAX and the feet are unneeded and will actually make the build look awkward. This is a good time to mention if you plan on doing the custom LED's later in this , you might want to drill the holes into the base needed. (see later in the post).
After this its time to stand up the DETOLF and add the Channel strips. This is a good time to start working with the DETOLF on top of the KALLAX, or you will have to lift them later. It is possible to do this, but you will need help. The orientation of the strips is important. Make sure you align them so the rear glass will fit flush and make the correct corner. Each glass piece is a different size so its important you use the correct ones. The rear piece we will start with has a green sticker on it. TWO side pieces are the same size and the last one will serve as the door.
Here is where you need the extra hands. Line the back glass up first. Place the glass in the channel on the base, then take the channel and run it along the glass. With your helper holding the rear glass, angle the side glass gently into the base of the channel, then slide it along the channel to the top. Push each glass side into the channel as far as they will go. The corner should be very tight with the base, this is important to assure the other side is flush and the overall build is tight.
If you have done this step correctly you will actually see the rails and glass and channel strips will be uneven, this is normal. Next , have your helper stabilize the cabinet while you place the top. The fit her will need some finesse, to align the glass, strips and rails. Once the are aligned it will fall into place easily. Use the lag screws , as you did with the base, for the rails on the top of the cabinet.
Do not tighten these , just put them on until they are secure. When you do do the finally tighten them , its important to note that you do not have to screw them down all the way. The DETOLF is a compression cabinet, as the top and bottom pieces squeeze together to secure the entire cabinet. If you over do it when you tighten, you risk putting too much stress on the cabinet and warping and stressing the side glass.
View attachment 202030
Next , add the metal tab with the sticker to the door glass , this serves as the base for the hinges. Check and recheck the door orientation to be sure its correct. The doors can be mounted in either direction. You will have to make a decision how you want the doors to open. Remember to consider how they will open once placed on the KALLAX. Screw in the metal hinge over the metal contact. DO NOT over tighten this or you risk breaking the glass, tighten till snug. You will also want to be sure the position of the screws will be on the INSIDE of the door after it is mounted.
Place the Hinge supports into the large holes in the base and top. First put the Bottom hinge into the hole, then angle the door up toward the top hole. Remember we did not tighten the top all the way, so you can now lift it up bit to fit the top hinge into the top hole. Once that is in place you can tighten the top Lag screws. Again DO NOT over do it. The glass will warp if you do. You want to examine the glass to be sure it is now bowing in either directions, but it straight.
View attachment 202030
Attach the magnet catch for the door to the top and bottem. Then add the foam sticker to the door for the magnetic plates, and slip the plates over.
Finally , place the rubber shelf supports into the rails, and lay the shelves on top.
Your DEOLF is finished!!!!
