Single deck display stand for $2

[Anthony]

So I'm a big believer in displaying my collection, having a collection stored in a drawer makes me crazy. Now I know it's sometimes unavoidable and you do what you can, but I was looking for a way to display a single deck like on my desk or shelf as a showpiece of sorts and came up with this.

Now it's not the end all be all, but I think it works for it's intended use. When looking over this keep in mind this is a general 1st attempt and you can obviously alter the process to make it better or your way.

1. Materials

I used a simple 4x6 bent acrylic frame, you can get these at Walmart for about a $1.50 if not less. The pegs are shelf pegs, a bunch to choose from at any hardware store, go with what you think will work/look best for you. **Keep in mind the width of the deck.


2. Process

Use the paper insert that comes with the frame as a template for your deck and measurements. Find the perfect height and then with a 4x6 frame the location for the pegs is 1" in from each side.




I used clear packing tape to wrap around the acrylic to keep the plastic from cracking and shattering when drilling the holes

**When drilling the holes apply minimal pressure, you can basicaly let the weight of the drill do the work, if you push down YOU WILL shatter the acrylic. This will take a minute or so even though this is plastic...but its worth not ruining the frame.

3. Assembly
Last step, take your pegs and hot glue them in place. I used Hot Glue, you can use whatever you like.


4. Finished product
Again, something simple and inexpensive, but I think it looks decent. A couple pluses to this, one, you can always slide something into the frame as a background. Two, you can always spray paint the whole thing to give it a cleaner look. (I may give this a try in Black...If you do go this route make sure to let the paint completely dry)


Let me know what you think and more than happy to answer any question.

This is a community so if you have any suggestions by all means add them to the thread 

[Card Player]

This is something I've been researching for the past 2 months, since I saw the newer Lucite Cases Ellusionist has been using. If I could buy one of E's Lucite cases, I would. It cant be found on its own. Ellusionist only includes them with one of their rare decks.

The single Lucite display is great for those of us that don't want an entire display case and only want to display one or two decks individually. I know there are a few "major case companies" that make Lucite cases for various sporting memorabilia but nothing for decks of playing cards.

There is however a "small company" I found that I would be interested in buying a few cases made in Singapore. They are not as well designed as the E cases because the sides for the deck are exposed and not protected. For display purposes it does the job nicely. I don't see where you can purchase them on the website though.  I have not tried to contact them for only one or two display cases.

http://www.discardsing.com/

[Anthony]

Ya I've seen others like these  !An0nym0u5, I kind of wish there was something similar where it would be an acrylic block so to speak with a recess where the deck would go in covering all sides and them you would secure the "Cover"...the search continues.

[Card Player]

Ya I've seen others like these  !An0nym0u5, I kind of wish there was something similar where it would be an acrylic block so to speak with a recess where the deck would go in covering all sides and them you would secure the "Cover"...the search continues.

E has someone that makes them. Probably one of their industry secrets. Its only a matter of time before one of the major sports memorabilia case companies figures out there is a demand for single deck display cases and starts selling them to the public. The great thing about the E cases is the gold screw caps that act as points of contact to any surface. That way the Lucite case does not get scratched if you lay it down..."the search continues" here as well.

http://youtu.be/VWfuVo93_n8

[Don Boyer]

I don't know if a sports memorabilia accessory maker would get in on that action, making single deck displays that enclose the deck like a box.  The playing card hobby is nowhere near as large as the sports card and memorabilia hobbies are.  If the hobby gets bigger, we'll see.

Hey, nothing stops you from actually contacting one of those companies and whispering in their ear about this untapped market...  Could be the motivator they need - if they doubt there's a marketplace, point them to all the deck sites and KS.  Oh, and get them to make optional inserts for displaying bridge decks! 

[Card Player]

Yea... But I'm tired of writing letters to companies. I will if I think there is something a company needs to know that might immediately impact them. This is not one of those times.

[magnacat]

great idea, Sparkz!  i have a Target down the street, as well as a Home Depot... i will surely give this a try.
on yours, did you drill through both layers of the plastic? i ask because like you say, it would be intersting to put a background behind the deck... if you went through both layers, this would seem like it would make it difficult- though, wouldn't having the "posts" in the front (if they extended into the back) cause the pic not to have the pressure it needed to stay in place? idk... 
i think it would be nice to blow up a back design, or art from one of the cards, from the deck you are displaying, and use it as the picture in the frame. then, if you have a sealed deck, you could still have the extra art on display without having to have an opened deck nearby. this is what i'm considering, anyway.
i was also thinking, if you wanted to display 2-4 decks, you could buy bigger standing frames, like these, and use more posts, though keeping it standing would become a problem once you started going more than one-up in your display. maybe you could use something to weigh down the stand's bottom?
i think i'm going to paint the back black, and use a mirroring paint for the front, if i'm not adding a pic to the frame...

[Anthony]

great idea, Sparkz!  i have a Target down the street, as well as a Home Depot... i will surely give this a try.
on yours, did you drill through both layers of the plastic? i ask because like you say, it would be intersting to put a background behind the deck... if you went through both layers, this would seem like it would make it difficult- though, wouldn't having the "posts" in the front (if they extended into the back) cause the pic not to have the pressure it needed to stay in place? idk... 
i think it would be nice to blow up a back design, or art from one of the cards, from the deck you are displaying, and use it as the picture in the frame. then, if you have a sealed deck, you could still have the extra art on display without having to have an opened deck nearby. this is what i'm considering, anyway.
i was also thinking, if you wanted to display 2-4 decks, you could buy bigger standing frames, like these, and use more posts, though keeping it standing would become a problem once you started going more than one-up in your display. maybe you could use something to weigh down the stand's bottom?
i think i'm going to paint the back black, and use a mirroring paint for the front, if i'm not adding a pic to the frame...

If you were going to add a backdrop within the frame you would have to plan ahead. Yes you would be making holes through both pieces, but once the holes are done you would insert your backdrop and punch out the holes with a hole punch, then glue in the pegs.

I'm going to be painting mine black, just want to see how it turns out. I'll post some pics when it's complete

[adhex5150]

I smell acrylic stuff on here
That's nice one Sparkz. I have two acrylic stand to display my deck.

@!An0nym0u5 : the Lucite display you mention, it's the one that hard to find.
I've an idea to make my own Lucite Display, the only problem is I cannot find the gold bolt like E used.

[adhex5150]

Finally I can make this display, no luck finding the gold bolt like E used, so I managed to use this bolt.

[Card Player]

I remember making similar displays in H.S. shop class. A band saw and a buffer/polishing wheel to smooth the edges is required. Clear plexiglass acrylic sheets can get expensive.

Nice Job. What did this new display end up costing you in materials?

[adhex5150]

I remember making similar displays in H.S. shop class. A band saw and a buffer/polishing wheel to smooth the edges is required. Clear plexiglass acrylic sheets can get expensive.

Nice Job Sparkz. What did this new display end up costing you in materials?

I'm using a laser cutting machine, so it doesn't required polishing wheel to smoothing the edge. It cost me $50 with virgin acrylic material.

Oh well, are you asking me or Sparkz? 

[sprouts1115]

The Man Stand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEX434MKxzk

[Card Player]

I remember making similar displays in H.S. shop class. A band saw and a buffer/polishing wheel to smooth the edges is required. Clear plexiglass acrylic sheets can get expensive.

Nice Job Sparkz. What did this new display end up costing you in materials?

I'm using a laser cutting machine, so it doesn't required polishing wheel to smoothing the edge. It cost me $50 with virgin acrylic material.

Oh well, are you asking me or Sparkz? 

YES, sorry. I meant you. Thank you for answering.

[Anthony]

Finally I can make this display, no luck finding the gold bolt like E used, so I managed to use this bolt.

Nice job adhex....even without the gold bolts    Well done!

[Don Boyer]

The Man Stand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEX434MKxzk

What, exactly, does THAT have to do with the topic?  I don't believe it's a deck stand, nor do I believe it's only $2.00...  And if it is $2.00, buy one for me!