Easy sword cases

Iain · 19th April 2015, 06:42 PM

This might be of interest for some. I have been testing out some sword case ideas recently.

These have glass doors and I have fitted LED lights inside. The stands inside are rough and not a final design.

If anyone is interested the main cases and the LEDs are all from Ikea, not very expensive and very easy to put together.

These are just a few quick pics, the glass is still a bit dirty as I just put everything together!

kahnjar1 · 9th May 2015, 08:24 AM

Hi Iain,
I don't often browse here but just came across this post. The idea is great and it would equally suit pistols, daggers and long guns. What is internal dimension of these cases?
Stu

Iain · 9th May 2015, 12:04 PM

Hi Stu,

I'm in the process of making up some clear acrylic stands and hoping to get 3-4 swords into each case.

The dimensions inside are about 120 x 35 x 18cm. Not sure if its enough for guns, but would definitely work for most swords.

M ELEY · 10th May 2015, 01:16 AM

Nice pics, Iain! I've already got a wood cabinet with plexiglass doors, but no lighting. Your LED lights really make a difference and I think I'll install some for my collection. Thanks for the idea!
Mark

Iain · 11th May 2015, 02:04 PM

Highly recommend it! They look nice and are very easy to fit. I just used some double sided tape.

MarineCorps0311 · 13th May 2015, 04:47 AM

I like these cases. I am going to have to put a couple in my studio. Very very neat idea.

Iain · 13th May 2015, 12:05 PM

Here's the Ikea link if you are interested for the cabinet I used. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60280955/

Iain · 23rd May 2015, 01:48 PM

Got some acrylic stands made up. Still working on lighting...

DaveA · 25th May 2015, 06:08 PM

I've tried the strip LED lights in display cabinets but the light and shadows are very unnatural. Recently I've found these online:

Fulcrum LED Battery-Operated Stick-On Tap Light, Black

The lighting is very natural daylight spectrum. The are in-between spot and flood up close. AAA Battery powered, tap on tap off. Super easy install. If use use the every day, evenings, expect to change ordinary batteries about every six weeks. And, they are very inexpensive so it won't cost much to experiment.

I use mine in a wood case, behind glass with interior painted flat black. Anything silver really jumps out and looks great. I will post pictures later,

Iain · 25th May 2015, 06:17 PM

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion! My only concern would be how thick are the lights? I've got limited headroom in my cases.

DaveA · 25th May 2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion! My only concern would be how thick are the lights? I've got limited headroom in my cases.

Iain,

The pucks are just under 1 inch. I too was worried about the headroom and also whether they would be obtrusive. I turned out not to be an issue in my case.

Here are some photos, taken in daylight (shades drawn) with the glass doors open on the case. In the last photo you can see the lighting through the glass doors. Even with reflections, the visibility is quite good.

I use three in this case, each one centered left to right.

Iain · 25th May 2015, 07:37 PM

Thanks Dave,

Reason I mention it is that mine are designed for three swords and there's not a huge gap to get 1" in without blocking the top sword. But I'm intrigued and will probably order a few. If they work well I think I'll look to router some holes in the top of the case and recess them.

DaveA · 25th May 2015, 08:44 PM

Iain,

I'm sure you can find recessed lights like this, or smaller ones, and ones that are line powered rather than battery. Other than the form factor, the quality of the light itself was important to me. If it is too red (e.g., like incandescents and some halogens) or too blue (e.g. like fluorescents) then the collection items looks seriously unnatural. I like the LEDs because you find ones that put off almost whatever spectrum you choose, and if you want to get really fancy you can even find ones that you can change by remote control!

Good luck. I'll be interested to see what you come up with. Displaying one sword is easy. Displaying 30 or so is a lot trickier!

- Dave

Iain · 26th May 2015, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveA

Iain,

I'm sure you can find recessed lights like this, or smaller ones, and ones that are line powered rather than battery. Other than the form factor, the quality of the light itself was important to me. If it is too red (e.g., like incandescents and some halogens) or too blue (e.g. like fluorescents) then the collection items looks seriously unnatural. I like the LEDs because you find ones that put off almost whatever spectrum you choose, and if you want to get really fancy you can even find ones that you can change by remote control!

Good luck. I'll be interested to see what you come up with. Displaying one sword is easy. Displaying 30 or so is a lot trickier!

- Dave

Hi Dave,

Indeed, I'm having a look round to see what will work best. Do you happen to know the color spectrum yours are on (3500k etc.)?

Iain · 15th January 2016, 12:40 PM

Well I finally completed these cases. In the end for lighting I ran a strip of flexible LEDs inside a groove in the top panel of the case. I'm pretty happy with the result.

The photo makes the light seem more uneven than it really is.

19th April 2015, 06:42 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Easy sword cases This might be of interest for some. I have been testing out some sword case ideas recently. These have glass doors and I have fitted LED lights inside. The stands inside are rough and not a final design. If anyone is interested the main cases and the LEDs are all from Ikea, not very expensive and very easy to put together. These are just a few quick pics, the glass is still a bit dirty as I just put everything together! Attached Images

13th May 2015, 04:47 AM	#6
MarineCorps0311 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 10	Sweet I like these cases. I am going to have to put a couple in my studio. Very very neat idea.

23rd May 2015, 01:48 PM	#8
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Got some acrylic stands made up. Still working on lighting... Attached Images

25th May 2015, 06:08 PM	#9
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	LED Lighting I've tried the strip LED lights in display cabinets but the light and shadows are very unnatural. Recently I've found these online: Fulcrum LED Battery-Operated Stick-On Tap Light, Black The lighting is very natural daylight spectrum. The are in-between spot and flood up close. AAA Battery powered, tap on tap off. Super easy install. If use use the every day, evenings, expect to change ordinary batteries about every six weeks. And, they are very inexpensive so it won't cost much to experiment. I use mine in a wood case, behind glass with interior painted flat black. Anything silver really jumps out and looks great. I will post pictures later,

25th May 2015, 08:44 PM	#13
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Lighting Iain, I'm sure you can find recessed lights like this, or smaller ones, and ones that are line powered rather than battery. Other than the form factor, the quality of the light itself was important to me. If it is too red (e.g., like incandescents and some halogens) or too blue (e.g. like fluorescents) then the collection items looks seriously unnatural. I like the LEDs because you find ones that put off almost whatever spectrum you choose, and if you want to get really fancy you can even find ones that you can change by remote control! Good luck. I'll be interested to see what you come up with. Displaying one sword is easy. Displaying 30 or so is a lot trickier! - Dave

9th May 2015, 08:24 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,741	Hi Iain, I don't often browse here but just came across this post. The idea is great and it would equally suit pistols, daggers and long guns. What is internal dimension of these cases? Stu

9th May 2015, 12:04 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hi Stu, I'm in the process of making up some clear acrylic stands and hoping to get 3-4 swords into each case. The dimensions inside are about 120 x 35 x 18cm. Not sure if its enough for guns, but would definitely work for most swords.

10th May 2015, 01:16 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,097	Nice pics, Iain! I've already got a wood cabinet with plexiglass doors, but no lighting. Your LED lights really make a difference and I think I'll install some for my collection. Thanks for the idea! Mark

11th May 2015, 02:04 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Highly recommend it! They look nice and are very easy to fit. I just used some double sided tape.

13th May 2015, 12:05 PM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Here's the Ikea link if you are interested for the cabinet I used. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60280955/

25th May 2015, 06:17 PM	#10
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hi Dave, Thanks for the suggestion! My only concern would be how thick are the lights? I've got limited headroom in my cases.

25th May 2015, 07:37 PM	#12
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Thanks Dave, Reason I mention it is that mine are designed for three swords and there's not a huge gap to get 1" in without blocking the top sword. But I'm intrigued and will probably order a few. If they work well I think I'll look to router some holes in the top of the case and recess them.

15th January 2016, 12:40 PM	#15
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Well I finally completed these cases. In the end for lighting I ran a strip of flexible LEDs inside a groove in the top panel of the case. I'm pretty happy with the result. The photo makes the light seem more uneven than it really is. Attached Images