I have some ideas on doing this but thought there may be a easier way. I am taking down  a bookcase 36 x 52 and making it a fold up display to make portability easier. Now what I am doing is a fixed frame about 2 inches deep to mount the folding shelves. Then the folding side supports will hold these up twhen the case is setup.

 

Now what I am working on is the pins to pivot the shelves on . With this pivot the shelves fold flat and the side then fold onto them to make a package about 4 inches thick. I was going to use solid pins set into the shelf and frame at construction making them permanent. However construction would be simpler and adjustable if I could screw pins in from outside the frame. Any ideas on a way to accomplish this?

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Any ideas on a way to accomplish this?

Have to ponder on that for a minute.  I am thinking weight is something you want to keep in mind as well.  

This if for a craft show display so not that much weight.

31 minutes ago, Gerald said:

This if for a craft show display so not that much weight.

I was thinking the weight of the unit as a whole since you have to transport and set it up.  

Gerald, I do not have any ideas for using pins but, is it possible to hinge the shelves to the sides and have a separate back panel.  When the back panel is secure to the sides/shelves the unit will no longer rack.  Danl

Gerald if you can weld you might go this route. I built this display thingy because it all bolts together and can carry it in the bed of the pickup...This was built mostly for the small stained glass things that gets sold the most..

  This was designed to hang things but you could design shelves as deep as needed for the larger things and still have as much area to hang the ornaments..

 I used 1/2" square tubing for all the frame work then used round 1/4 and 5/16" rod for the scroll designs in between and you could lay in light plywood over the small square tubing for shelves...I know I could build something as strong and much better to transport back and forth and won't be breaking down after lots of shows than if wood was used....Any metal building supplies stocks this stuff and a can of Rustoelum for looks and for the wrought iron curving machines HF carries these small bending tools which don't have to be built by Boeing to work. 

  What you are describing would run into a lot of unnecessary expense if I am following what you described.

  That is flat strap metal on the floor

Also you might think what will you do with the display when not at shows. The metal take apart  route would not take up a lot of room but she uses this in her shop all the time so it is not in the way

How about something like this

 

https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/threaded-roll-pin

Or maybe these

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^@lew@lew I have come to the conclusion that the threaded inserts may be the way to go. Will use the insert in the shelf and use partial thread machine screw to go thru the side and that will make the shelf adjustable with just another hole drilled in the side panel. Then with the full sides (which will have a bracket the shelf will sit on) attached to the side panel with hinge just open the sides and lift the shelves into place. Will use latches on the front to hold the sides in place. And now that I have envisioned this I will need something to hold the shelves in place while folding the sides

 

@Smallpatch I am not a metalworker but that is a great looking display. I wanted to keep this about the same weight it was before I started this and allow it to fold flat to maybe 3 inches thick. Also to reduce the number of parts and tools needed to put this together on site.

 

15 minutes ago, Gerald said:

I will need something to hold the shelves in place while folding the sides

If the spacing between the shelves isn't critical, could you use 2 of the inserts on each shelf end, at the corners. One would be the pivot and the other could be for a machine screw passed through the case side and positioned to hold the shelf vertical?

 

Maybe I'm not imagining the construction the same way you are.

5 minutes ago, lew said:

If the spacing between the shelves isn't critical, could you use 2 of the inserts on each shelf end, at the corners. One would be the pivot and the other could be for a machine screw passed through the case side and positioned to hold the shelf vertical?

 

Maybe I'm not imagining the construction the same way you are.

That could work also, Just thinking no tools to assemble. Could even use a small piece of rod for the front.

This is what I saw in my mind-

I have an idea but am at work. Will post a mock up for you. Going with your idea of simple assembly no tools and lightweight.

34 minutes ago, lew said:

This is what I saw in my mind-

I see now what you propose. I was taking you to mean to hold when in set up position or horizontal. Funny how missing one word changes everything.

Cam lock connectors

I am thinking that a science board display like below is a possibility.  You have 3 solid surfaces, however tall and wide you want.  These are tied together by hinges.  You have your holes for shelves, and to keep it together a board across the top and bottom cleated together so no screws. Could make panels out of 1/4 plywood with a 3/4 frame, holes for shelves in the frame. 

 

20 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I am thinking that a science board display like below is a possibility.  You have 3 solid surfaces, however tall and wide you want.  These are tied together by hinges.  You have your holes for shelves, and to keep it together a board across the top and bottom cleated together so no screws. Could make panels out of 1/4 plywood with a 3/4 frame, holes for shelves in the frame. 

 

I think I like the idea but trying to use the lumber already here from this case as I may not do this often .

An alternative that we used at craft fairs (wife = ceramics):  plastic storage shelf sets, the kind where the round legs come out, and the whole thing can be stored in a bundle.  Light, easy to transport, assembled easily, either single or multiple story.  Trick was to cover with tablecloths, then you couldn't see the plastic shelf surface.

 

But in the end, I found all the setup and teardown to be time consuming, and crafters don't make squat at those sales (everyone looking for $5 items).  I just bought wife's inventory for $100 per show, didn't go to show, dropped off inventory at Goodwill.  Cheating?    Well, yeah.

7 hours ago, PeteM said:

But in the end, I found all the setup and teardown to be time consuming, and crafters don't make squat at those sales (everyone looking for $5 items).  I just bought wife's inventory for $100 per show, didn't go to show, dropped off inventory at Goodwill.  Cheating?    Well, yeah.

You are correct , they only want the under 10 stuff and especially 5. Most only look at the 50 and up bowls and never pickup to see the price . There is no way to actually make money at this, or at woodturning for that matter for 99.9% of the turners. We got started doing this to promote the club and as a demo at the museum we meet at. Also it is fun talking to people.

 

Yes quick tear down helps a lot. We have a couple A frames we put shelves on and then this bookcase will be enough. The A frame is from old cedar fence planks and is very light, but the pine in the bookcase is a little heaver .