FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Turbo]

I am in the process of converting a two piece hutch into a mineral display case.

I have taken the original three front hinged doors off because I wanted a full glass front and to be able to fit wide specimens in. I plan on installing two all glass doors with magnetic latches. Because I will be taking out the vertical supports in the front, I've reinforced the shelves with two pieces of angled aluminum each. However, the shelves still flex a little and I am worried that when they are loaded, the glass shelves may break. The heaviest pieces will go on the bottom, but the upper two shelves may be holding up to 30 lbs of cumulative weight as most of my calcite specimens are cabinet sized.

So I'm looking for some advice on that if anyone has experience in this. I could try 4mm thick tempered glass or 4mm thick Lexan, but maybe Lexan would flex too much? I really thought the angled aluminum wouldn't bend, and I'm not sure I can find iron that looks low-profile enough for this job.

Ultimately I will install cool white LED strips under each shelf.

[Roy Starkey]

Hi Turbo

I would strongly recommend using t-slot aluminum "rack type" shelving brackets, positioned approximately 25% of the way in from each end of the glass shelf. You may need to put a reinforcing softwood batten behind the back panel of the cabinet to take suitably large and long screws to secure the uprights. I made some simple clips out of thin aluminium sheet which can be slid under the glass and on top of the shelf support, to hold the LED strips - it works a treat.

Good luck with the project

[John Betts]

Lexan is much too flexible.

In my show cases I have 36" wide 6 mm thick glass shelves that safely support heavy minerals. However they do flex slightly. One show I display at has a train line running directly beneath the building. When a train goes by the minerals "bounce" on the flexing shelves.

[Turbo]

Shelving brackets are a great idea! I had not thought of that yet. The center beam in the back of the hutch is the only place where there is wood to screw into and it's only 3/4 inch thick. The rest of the back is just thin laminated masonite. But one bracket in the center of each shelf might do the trick.

[Paul Biehler]

You can always use machine screws with a nut and go all the way through the backing. A wood support the full length of the back would give plenty of support for the glass as would brackets.
Paul

[Les Presmyk]

The sides of the cabinet should be 3/4" thick material. I would consider putting flat adjustable brackets, 2 on each side, on the sides. If you feel you need extra support, you can then place one adjustable bracket in the center of the back where it sounds like there is something to attach it to.

Shelving. I would use 6mm or 8mm thick glass shelves, never plastic. The plastic is too flexible and will scratch way too easily.

Lighting. I have LED strips and mounting brackets you might be interested in.

Les

[rweaver]

Hi Les

I bet a lot of us would be interested in what type of lighting you are using. Might be nice to replace my current setup with the LED strips.

Bob

[Paul Biehler]

I have been using a company called Inspired LED in Arizona for the lighting in my cases. They are very nice to work with. I use the ultra bright warm strips and the light is great.
Hope this helps
Paul

[Les Presmyk]

I spent two years researching all types of lighting in order to provide recommendations for the 120 new exhibit cases that debuted at the 2014 Tucson Show. I now represent the company importing these LED lights and light bars into the US.

[Turbo]

The vertical beams are out and I have added a steel shelving bracket in the center of both shelves. They are supposed to hold 100 lbs. The shelves feel pretty solid now.

[Turbo]

I decided on 3/16 inch tempered glass shelves. Each shelf is two pieces of glass about 5 lbs each.

[Michael Shaw]

Your display case is coming along nicely Turbo. I look forward to seeing a few images with minerals filling those shelves.

[Don Lum]

Nice cabinet, Turbo. Look forward to seeing it completed and filled :-)

[Turbo]

I purchased 5m of 5050 color temperature LEDs with adhesive backing. In the photo are two sections I cut to practice soldering sections together. I am new to soldering. I can do it, just not with finesse. I will ultimately divide the remainder of the 5m strand into three sections that will be mounted above each shelf.

[Turbo]

Here's the latest update on my project. I installed the tempered glass doors with magnetic latches. I have to reverse the hinges after I get some shorter bolts to hold the glass (due to miscalculation). The AC adapter for the LEDs stopped working yesterday (possibly defective), so that has postponed installing the lights. The minerals should be going in soon though! I am very excited.

[Turbo]

I will get some high quality shots after I get some labelling in the case. I am very satisfied with the results!

[Don Lum]

Very nice. It has been great to watch the progress from the beginning to this point.

Congratulations.

[Paul Biehler]

Looks Great !

[Tobi]

A beautiful and classy mineral display, congratulations! How many specimens will finally be on display? I'm looking forward to see the photos with the labels ... MANY photos, I hope :-)

Tobi

[Turbo]

Thanks for the compliments! There are a couple more specimens going in soon.

Ed Bayley