Making a Custom Figure Display Case with LED Spotlights!

As our collections of figures, 3D prints, and LEGO builds continue to grow, our display solutions need to keep up! Norm assembles the Moducase Sixth100 display case designed for sixth-scale figures, and then puts together his own take on a custom display case using MakerBeam XL aluminum rails, cut acrylic, and dimmable LED spotlights. What are your own display solutions?
Moducase Sixth110 Display case: www.bigbadtoys...
MakerBeam XL rails: amzn.to/3cPNJ0n
Xking mini LED spotlights: amzn.to/3JgzI7T
Tap Plastics custom cut acrylic: www.tapplastic...
Ikea Detolf display case: www.ikea.com/u...
Ikea Regissor cabinet: www.ikea.com/u...
Disclaimer: Tested may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
Shot and edited by Norman Chan
Music by Jinglepunks
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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman
Thanks for watching!

[@tested]

Moducase Sixth110 Display case: www.bigbadtoystore.com/Product/VariationDetails/176349 MakerBeam XL rails: amzn.to/3cPNJ0n Xking mini LED spotlights: amzn.to/3JgzI7T Tap Plastics custom cut acrylic: www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plastic/acrylic_sheets_cast_clear/510 Ikea Detolf display case: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/detolf-glass-door-cabinet-black-brown-10119206/ Ikea Regissor cabinet: www.ikea.com/us/en/p/regissoer-glass-door-cabinet-brown-50342077/

[@tested]

Apologies for the audio drop-out in the final seconds of the video! Thanks for calling that out and watching to the end!

[@atomicgearworks]

The lights mounted to the rails looks really good. It gives the case a "studio" look.

[@pan2aja]

Yeah.. at first I thought it was 1:1scale

[@Plastic_Spaceman]

I'd considered doing this myself to save money too. Like Norm, I priced it out and found that it wasn't much cheaper than Moducase, especially for the added effort of sourcing parts. Eventually I ended up modding some muscle racks and it's worked out well for my display.

[@hudfreegamer]

For display options, I like to use one sixth scale flight stands. When several large figures are in flying and jumping poses it's really eye-catching.

[@richardboustred9743]

I personally have used the Besta frames from Ikea to display my Gunpla. They work well as a wall mounted option and you can get glass shelfs for them to customize your layout.

[@tobynmanthorpe]

I've got some hardwood shelves with square apertures, but my models were getting dusty so I bought some acrylic, hinges and magnets and I'm making my own doors. My spotlights are similar to yours... I hooked them up to a wifi controlled usb hub.

[@darktek13]

Thank you Norm!

[@barkindustry8150]

Thank you so much for this Norman!!! As a Canadian, it's a min of 8-12 months wait time and about $320usd plus shipping for the Moducase but knowing that I can find 20x20 extrusions on Amazon Canada may help bring the cost of my project down significantly. I still would prefer a Moducase to be clear but a year wait is a little excessive lol

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

You should use a version of Pepper's Ghost to have a ghostly Jedi Adam toy offering guidance to your X-wing pilot toy.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

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[@j-dizzle6264]

Just got my first Moducase displays last month. I lusted after them for a long time... and, finally decided to buy a couple. The only thing I hated was the long wait time for them. I think Moducase had some manufacturing issues because of Covid. I knew this when I ordered them... so, I wasn't surprised. Not sure if this is still an issue. Moducase is a great company, which has given us collectors a perfect, no compromise solution to display our collections in. I'm glad you came to the conclusion that we should support them. Like many, I've tried cheaper solutions when I started collecting... but, as my collection grew... I felt the need to invest in a display solution to show off my pieces and protect them from dust and damage. I've already decided to buy more cases. Nothing ridiculous... just one bigger one for statues and another two DF120s. I was so pleased with the first ones... so glad I finally decided to buy them. Worth every cent.

[@vinceteo7091]

Out of curiosity how long was the wait time? I’ve got a ton of sideshow points and thinking about using them towards a few cases.

[@j-dizzle6264]

@@vinceteo7091 Wait time was 6 months... which was a known issue at the time (due to Covid and rising demand). But, I bought mine direct from Moducase. Not sure if Sideshow sells "in stock" cases. Last I heard Moducase has invested in new factories in Singapore and is promising to have all backorders delivered by this March... then, be able to accomodate the current demand.

[@vinceteo7091]

@@j-dizzle6264 oh wow that’s not bad at all tbh, I’ll look into dealing with them directly… thank you

[@pureflakmonkey3368]

Awesome, this custom display case looks like a kit!

[@KevinLam86]

One could also modify a large fish tank for figure display.

[@ericksolis7820]

Issue is acrylic or any type of panels are ridiculously expensive. Specially once you start getting longer panels.

[@PyroClit]

This helps a lot. Was wondering buying moducases for my statues. This cements the deal.

[@bmack4047]

perfect timing was looking into display options 👌

[@ct-603]

Currently building a 3 tired 24x48x72 and a 18x36×72 using Black Metal Racks incased in acrylic as shown by Pop culture livingroom. For diplaying 1/6 Vehicles and figures. Definitely cheaper plus the ability to adjust heights.

[@Blash1]

Loved the Optimus with Jet fire figure! I’ll get it one day and make a review, or at least I hope so 😂

[@therealcybertronwarriors]

Awesome! I should be getting my 8 x Sixth110 in December. I was wondering what they look like so this video is very comforting to see.

[@arkham67]

Very interesting vid Norm. Thank you.

[@robotsandkaiju]

I have 3 stacked df120s which are simply amazing and after seeing the simplicity of the components first hand I continue to remain amazed at how similar DIY efforts on KZbin fail to compete on price,value and build quality and always failing on cost although I fully support the rationale behind them. Yours though is the best I've seen in terms of comparible quality and build and I applaud your efforts and your conclusion which is not uncommon given the cost of acrylic. Moducase shipping and taxes costs to the UK account for at least a third of the total cost so I'll keep looking for alternatives of course but great build and finish. The spots on moducase are a bit weak I find and would encourage buyers to buy strips or stronger spot lights although I understand its a matter of taste and what the user is trying to achieve. Thanks for highlighting this new approach with components that are widely available though

[@Ranger7Studios]

For the back you can use photo cardboard. Like you would back a picture with. It's pretty thin and will probably fit nicely through the slots in the rail. Very cool build!

[@t.j.lemaster8653]

I build and customize 125th scale models and also customize 164 scale Diecast and I'm always looking for a good display case so thank you for this video !

[@dancehallvibes42]

You had me at 'Home office infrastructure'

[@TheLongHairedFellow]

Thanks Norm, I am now delving into the rabbit hole of how long do I need to save up to cover my wall in these

[@djn1822]

Thanks for this ❤

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I need some cases for my large collection of figured. I was thinking of going to Ikea to see what they had, but the Moducases look interesting!

[@shibaspeed]

This is really cool. I've been looking for something new because the old IKEA case I have has relatively wide gaps in it, which lets dust in.

[@cocomonk22]

I have 3 of the MAX series Moducases. For my use they work perfectly and I'll probably be picking up more in the future.

[@metroids224]

How long abouts did they take to assemble? Do you think a 5Lx4H shelf would take 3 hours-ish?

[@cocomonk22]

@@metroids224 first one will take a while, once you get used to how it works it'll be quicker

[@Scouphobos]

You could route out the 3 mm slot to the thickness of the foam

[@charinaalveny8847]

Thanks for the inspiration bro..👌

[@nathkrupa3463]

Thank you sir nice build great work thanks.

[@ficklampa]

I would shop around a little more. Amazon isn't always the cheapest place to find stuff... But these extruded type of aluminium profiles can be found pretty cheap since they are used in all kinds of indistries. Everything from concert, to movie productions etc. Same with those LEDs, just searching for "mini led spotlight" yielded a wide variety of price options for spotlights that look just like these, but from other brands. I know people really love amazon because their variety, but again it's not always the cheapest place...

[@DE0R4]

I need to get myself one of those for my collection

[@scottmakesathing]

If you need something a bit stiffer for your opaque panels, see if you can find 3mm Alupanel (or other trade names, Alucobond or similar). It's a composite layered panel of thin aluminum sheet sandwiched around a plastic layer. Edit: check with a local sign shop, see if they have off-cuts or scrap they aren't going to use.

[@KevinLam86]

Nothing beats the affordability of the Ikea Detolfs though.

[@blindsay]

For me it is less about the cost and more so the long lead time moducase has right now. Also if you shop around a bit you can find better deals on the Aluminum extrusions and the panels. Especially in bulk for building more than 1 cube

[@Merennulli]

I'm a little too cheap for this kind of thing. My display cases are an old curio cabinet that Walmart carried nearly 20 years ago, and a 6.5 foot display case I found at a flea market. To be honest, though, I think I'd still pick them over this. This would be great on a table somewhere, but I can't see it looking good free-standing and I don't really want to dedicate table space to displays. If I went with something like this, I'd need some sort of shelving system that accentuated it.

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@surgetsann]

I wish you could get the moducases with acrylic floor and roof panels as well

[@dukng9502]

Question re Moducase: if you stack them, is the bottom case really secure enough to support 2 fully loaded cases on top, given that one cube already has a max load rating ? Also windering how does the moducase system prevent stacked cases from slipping of they're accidentally bumped?

[@alaskankare]

"the glowforge acrylic was a little big"...ahhhh why not use the glowforge to cut it to size?

[@Esmereldaplayz]

Great

[@mkbwarrior]

At that price and appearance why not just buy a fish tank? They can come with lights and are built to withstand some abuse. Virtually the same look and pet stores sell them at heavy discounts from time to time.

[@zacharyradford5552]

These are stackable and depending on the tank they have to have water to work.

[@jeanmalo7173]

The only action-figure that I'd want is the guy with the video arcade game...that's cool

[@JanTuts]

That's Marty McFly from Back To The Future, btw.

[@MichaelMakesEverything]

Awesome video Norm but have you ever found a wall hanging display case for miniatures? I’ve looked at shot-glass displays but never found one that I liked. Certainly nothing with lights.

[@shasmi93]

Yall went WAY overboard. I have the entire Nightmare before Christmas village. It’s a total of 25 buildings. I needed a super large display case. I bought the IKEA Blaliden and turned it sideways, didn’t put shelf’s in…. and done. Display case.

[@mf--]

Audio seemed to cut out at the end. Idea seems neat. 80/20 is another brand of extruded aluminum.

[@xuthnet]

Getting 80x20 branded extrusions are much more expensive than the various clones and derivatives.

[@mf--]

@@xuthnet 80/20 is a company in Indiana, USA so that's probably why it is more expensive.

[@Ragnarok043]

Alternatively you may want to consider aquarium tanks

[@Jdmvega917]

moducases are a good option but the wait time on them is what turns people off from them

[@BrentAgeofGrogu]

I'm curious why not pick up a sheet of 1/8" masonite from home depot instead of foamcore ? its cheap and really strong easy to paint???

[@thiagocarneiro2794]

How did you get the acrylic sheets on the side? Super glue?

[@nationaldeath4029]

Acrylic in hot humid areas will bend and warp. If you dont use ac i dont think this will work. You will need a rigged frame no flex for the stand to be reliable.

[@MrAcuta73]

Cost isn't going the be the selling point on making a nice case like that, getting EXACTLY what you want without having to tear a pre-fab item to pieces and modding what you want the first time. Been thinking about wanting something a bit more custom for large Star Wars models (AT-ST, AT-AT as examples). The extruded aluminum is a GREAT idea!! I might spring for tempered glass. Acrylic/Polycarbonate is GREAT stuff, but eventually scratches/gets hazy just with regular cleaning....and doesn't take into account unintentional bumps/gouges/etc. Glass is more expensive, heavier, and can outright break....trade-offs. Always trade-offs. lol

[@Figurcraft]

Norm awesome content for us sixth scale figure enthusiasts. It was awesome meeting you at the sideshow booth during comicon. I'm sure you are already aware of the loss of audio the last few seconds of video, great content though, keep it coming!

[@Keepinitreel108]

Does the moducase come with 6 spotlights, because it's advertised as coming with 4 in the Sixth series?

[@northwales1000]

Clearly didn't look too hard for the aluminium, get it far cheaper than that. 2020, 2040 or 4040 aluminium

[@rationalsatanist1811]

do you collect court of the dead 1/6 scale?

[@Wildwes1981]

What kind of lights are in this case ??

[@jamesbowman92]

What is the space suit guy please thank you

[@jazy1642]

What was the end result dimensions of the one you built?

[@lasarith2]

It’s a fish tank for 1/6 figures .

[@bretts1646]

FYI the last ~15 seconds or so of audio totally cut out

[@El_Grande_Jefe]

1:1 scale Bust solutions?? too nice to have exposed to dust. needs to be sealed.

[@MandoMike]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a fish tank and add LEDs?

[@willmfrank]

A fish tank would be perfectly appropriate for your Aquaman action figures...😉😁

[@KillerSpud]

There was an audio glitch in the last few seconds there, but probably not worth re-uploading if you ask me.

[@gianniclaes5244]

Not a fan of moducase, build the same system for around 1/3th of the price with higher CRI color acurate led's working on the phillips hue smart lighting system. If you're not willing to do the research yourself moducase is fine from what I've seen but for my personal collection which is everchanging, growing and shrinking from time to time, Moducase will never be a good option.

[@mickeypye2593]

BOUGHT ONE FIVE MONTHS AGO FROM IKEA AND ONLY HAD THE WILL POWER TO BUILD IT LAST SUNDAY. FKN BIG SLEDGEHAMMER NEAR WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE THING LOL !!! AWFUL BITS OF KIT - BUT LOOK WELL WHEN MADE 😂😂😂😂

[@Snuzzlekin]

only 220 dollar, what a bargain for a glass box..

[@5chr4pn3ll]

Audio cuts out at the end. Nice vid tho

[@robertrootes]

How does your wife handle your growing collection?

[@EverydayKary]

You're on mute.

[@GIBBO4182]

It’s a glass box with lights…hardly revolutionary!🤣🤣

[@greghachey9325]

It doesn't need to be revolutionary. Sometimes a little simplicity and a little how-to is interesting to people. 🤣🤣

[@willmfrank]

@@greghachey9325 Also the video is basically a "kit vs. scratch-build" comparison.