Collector's Tips-n-Tricks This is a page for tips, ideas, product recommendations, etc. We hope that you will write in with your display ideas, tools and techniques, etc. so other collectors may learn from your experience. Please submit YOUR tips-n-tricks via e-mail today. ---Thanks! Tip #1 Preventing Water Damage If you are forced to store your action figure collection in an attic, garage or basement for any length of time, be sure to place the figures in a waterproof container first. I recommend those large Rubber-Maid style storage bins that are sold at all of the big discount stores (see photo at left). Several of my best pieces were damaged in a garage flood a few years back which resulted in much lower resale value when I tried to auction them off on eBay. Do yourself a favor and keep your collection DRY! --Edward Harkey Tip #2 Sorting and Finding Figures Just a quick follow-up to tip #1. I also group figures together in those big 1 and 2-gallon freezer baggies that you can get in any grocery store. That way, when I have to look for particular figure, I don't have to dig through a tub full of individual figures, knocking off gear, etc. I just grab a bag full of about 5-6 figures, turn it around in my hands and see if the one I want is in that bag. Simple as that. No muss, no fuss, no knocked off gear. Plus, it's an extra layer of protection between the figures and those dreaded enemies of toys, HEAT and WATER. --Mark Otnes Tip #3 Restringing Vintage Figures Aaron Luck has created an easy-to-follow online guide to restringing vintage GIjOEs (for those of us who are all thumbs). Follow this link NOW to go directly to Aaron's step-by-step instruction page, complete with closeup photos of every step. Thanks Aaron!   Tip #4 Displaying Figures There are many ways to display GIjOEs of course, but one of the best ways is to put them in a display case. The problem has been that most display cases are big, bulky, heavy, and expensive. But look! IKEA has created an ideal display case for GIjOE Collectors. It's affordably priced at only $60 each, comes in a choice of wood finishes, has glass on all four sides for maximum viewability, opens from the front, has a pre-installed ight in the top that shines down through all four levels and can display about 32 figures comfortably. Follow this link NOW to go directly to the last known IKEA webpage for this product. If that is unsuccessful, simply search the IKEA site (ikea.com) for "DETOLF" display cabinets. Click here NOW to see a closeup picture of the cabinet and click here NOW to see these cabinets in use in Mark Wright's collection. --Mark Otnes   Tip #5 Hip Replacements for GIjOE #1 "Rather than a 'how-to', my whole point for doing this was to show what could be done. I'd really like to see someone come out with a replacement part that we could use in place of the hip and ball joints." --Daniel Edwards Take a look at Daniel's article HERE and hopefully Hasbro will too. Enjoy! --Mark   Tip #6 Hip Replacements for GIjOE #2 Here's another, equally ingenious procedure for replacing the vintage GIjOE's barely poseable hip joints. This method requires no cutting and may be simpler for most collectors. Check it out! Take a look at the article by lui66 HERE and hopefully Hasbro will too. Enjoy! --Mark         Please submit YOUR tips-n-tricks via e-mail today. ---Thanks! And Don't Miss... Collections Indoor Dioramas Outdoor Photos Custom Figures Custom Vehicles Tips & Tricks Club Websites Feedback Submit Your Collection About GIjOE Collections Cool Links HOME Address any questions or comments to webmaster Mark Otnes, at 303 E. Sherwin Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, or Phone: 217-337-1706 or Email: sterling@shout.net