Modified Steelbooks

[Vangeli]

After discovering Steelbooks can be modified and made capable of holding more discs with swapped internal frames, I went from not being much of a fan to being in love with them. Finally, I can have a single complete release for any given movie that easily passes as something official and not hacked together. And with many releases (4K, 3D, Collector Editions, retailer exclusives, etc.) combined into one, more storage space!

So I've started this thread to organize and display my small but growing collection of modified "complete package" Steelbooks. On personal preference, my modified Steelbooks will always have a four-disc frame; if there's only three Blu-rays for any given release I'll include the DVD so no hub goes unused. I'll have an up-to-date main image of the collection right here and individual images for each title behind spoiler tags down below. This will be fun!



The Collection (Updated 04/09/18):

TITLE (STEELBOOK VARIANT)
DISCS

-COMPLETED MODS-

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (Canada Exclusive)
4K + 2D + Bonus + Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Blade Runner 2049 (BestBuy Character Poster Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Blade Runner 2049 (International Teaser Poster Variant)
4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Blade Runner 2049 (International Mondo Variant)
Empty

[Show spoiler]

Ghost in the Shell (BestBuy Variant)
4K + 3D + 2D + Target Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Interstellar (HDZeta Exclusive)
4K + 2D + BestBuy Bonus + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Jupiter Ascending (International 2D Variant)
4K + 3D + 2D + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Oblivion (Worldwide Art)
4K + 2D + Bonus + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Star Trek '09 (BestBuy Exclusive)
4K + 2D + Bonus + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Star Trek Into Darkness (FutureShop Canada Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Star Trek Beyond (BestBuy Exclusive Variant)
4K + 3D + 2D + Target Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Wonder Woman (Amazon Germany Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + DVD

[Show spoiler]

-MODS IN PROGRESS-

Pacific Rim (Japan Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus
(Check back for photos at a later date)


-PROSPECTIVE MODS-

Prometheus (FilmArena Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus
(Hoping to nab a copy when it releases this summer!)

[Blu-Dre]

Awesome work! It looks so seamless. I've been looking into doing this too. Where did you get the alternate four disc frames?

[Vangeli]

The Steve Austin 4-movie Steelbook collection. Can be found new for ~$10, third parties can have it a couple bucks cheaper, and used you can find it for around $5.

You need to be incredibly delicate and patient while removing the metal though, as the spine in particular can bend very easily and will never look flat again. I didn't follow any instructions, I just winged it and figured I'd need heat for the spine and used a plastic party knife as to not damage the paint inside. I'd consult some step-by-step instructions for swapping it out if you're interested though; I've been lucky but many others have damaged or completely ruined their Steelbooks.

Maybe a few used <$5 Steelbooks for practice would be a good idea, to get the hang of removing the steel and not jeopardizing a beloved Steelbook.

[ShowtimeMDL]

Originally Posted by Vangeli

The Steve Austin 4-movie Steelbook collection. Can be found new for ~$10, third parties can have it a couple bucks cheaper, and used you can find it for around $5.

You need to be incredibly delicate and patient while removing the metal though, as the spine in particular can bend very easily and will never look flat again. I didn't follow any instructions, I just winged it and figured I'd need heat for the spine and used a plastic party knife as to not damage the paint inside. I'd consult some step-by-step instructions for swapping it out if you're interested though; I've been lucky but many others have damaged or completely ruined their Steelbooks.

Maybe a few used <$5 Steelbooks for practice would be a good idea, to get the hang of removing the steel and not jeopardizing a beloved Steelbook.

Been looking for 4 discs steelbooks for a while to do the same thing you did.

However i cannot get Amazon sellers to send me those Steve Austin steelbooks to Spain

Wanted to do 4 discs customs editions for Blade Runner & Pacific Rim but i guess i will have to settle with envelopes inside the steels for the Bonus discs.

[BMill]

Originally Posted by ShowtimeMDL

Been looking for 4 discs steelbooks for a while to do the same thing you did.

However i cannot get Amazon sellers to send me those Steve Austin steelbooks to Spain

Wanted to do 4 discs customs editions for Blade Runner & Pacific Rim but i guess i will have to settle with envelopes inside the steels for the Bonus discs.

You'll have to pay more, but Best Buy has them, and if you contact civiclx he'll probably be willing to ship to you.

[Vangeli]

Just added Interstellar!

Interstellar (HDZeta Exclusive)
4K + 2D + BestBuy Bonus + DVD

[Show spoiler]

[ShowtimeMDL]

For those who want to do their custom steelbooks, it is quite an easy process once you get the 1st one right, here is a tutorial:

Tutorial on Steelbook Spine Removal and Artwork - YouTube

[Vangeli]

Just added Star Trek Into Darkness!

Star Trek Into Darkness (FutureShop Canada Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Received my third copies of '09 and Beyond today and both were damaged like all previous. So because it seems BestBuy's stock of all these Steelbooks went through a tumbler, I've ordered both at a small premium on eBay that are at least known to be damage-free. I hope they arrive that way.

[Vangeli]

Just added Star Trek '09, Star Trek Beyond, and Wonder Woman!

Star Trek '09 (US Variant, 2014)
4K + 2D + Bonus + DVD

[Show spoiler]

Star Trek Beyond (US Variant)
4K + 3D + 2D + Target Bonus

[Show spoiler]

Wonder Woman (Amazon Germany Exclusive)
4K + 3D + 2D + DVD

[Show spoiler]

[Dynamo of Eternia]

While it won't look quite as official, I figured out a pretty simple solution to add an extra disc hub to a 1 or 2 disc case (with both hubs overlapping on the right side of the inner case) that will hold an additional disc rather well without having to to do any major alterations that could potentially damage the case (especially the spine).

Basically, take a slim CD Jewel case and remove the the top part/cover, leaving just the back part with the disc hub.

Looking at this picture:



As shown in that image, you will want to have the "hinge" portion of the back of the case pointing up.

Then you will want to slide it into the left side of the case, so that lower tab for holding a booklet/flyer goes right over that indentation circled in red.

Once set in there correctly, it will not overlap with the hinge of the steelbook case and the case can be closed.

This gives a more substantial hub than those (IMO) crappy stick-on disc hubs.

And if you take one of these from a completely clear slim jewel case, you can still see the artwork inside of the steelbook through it.



When looking for a solution a while back, I tried this on a whim. I have a pretty big pack of clear slim jewel cases that I got from work a few years ago (they no longer needed them and were going to throw them out, so they let me take them).

Ever since, whenever I need to add one more hub to a 1 or 2 disc Steelbook, I do this.


Obviously it won't help for any situations where you need a 4th disc hub, but for anything less than that, this is a good option IMO.

[Hail2DaKing5369]

Here are my Star Wars Customs. They are the Despecialized Edition, Despecialized Bonus Features (w/ Deleted Scenes and almost every making of"" and behind the scenes featurette out there), and standard release disc. The labels were copied from the DVDs of the Special Editions w/ the theatrical cuts, then printed and sealed to not run the ink.

[Harvey Plissken]

Originally Posted by Hail2DaKing5369

Here are my Star Wars Customs. They are the Despecialized Edition, Despecialized Bonus Features (w/ Deleted Scenes and almost every making of"" and behind the scenes featurette out there), and standard release disc. The labels were copied from the DVDs of the Special Editions w/ the theatrical cuts, then printed and sealed to not run the ink.

Any chance where I can find those 2006 disc labels for the classic Star Wars trilogy?

[Hail2DaKing5369]

And, my Blade Runner copy. The Interior is the Steve Austin 4 pack case, and the Discs from the 5 Disc Blade Runner Blu-Ray set

[casperuk]

Very nice. What do you use to stick the spine back into place?

[Vangeli]

Those are all awesome! I've wanted to do Blade Runner as well since I have the consolidated three disc release with all of the features from the five disc release, and with the addition of the UHD disc it'd be a complete four disc Steelbook! But the only BR Steelbook I like is the Canadian exclusive and even then it's not that great. So for now it's just a special UHD Viva Elite package for me.

Originally Posted by casperuk

Very nice. What do you use to stick the spine back into place?

Double sided scotch/paper tape!

[severe conservative]

Originally Posted by casperuk

Very nice. What do you use to stick the spine back into place?

If you are not adding custom artwork and you keep plastic case hot and you used an exacto knife to get the spine off, the remaining glue residue should be enough to get the spine back into place and keep it stuck on. Also you might use a hair dryer on the spine to keep the spine hot. After you get the spine back on, prop up the plastic case so that the spine is facing down on the table, and use a couple of small boxes of envelopes (one on each side of the case) to keep the case propped up (you can also use two bookends). This will help make sure the spine sticks on and stays stuck on.

I have found that this usually works even with custom art on the spine. But if you want to use something extra I would use silicone in between the custom art and the spine. Put only a very small amount on your finger and rub it onto the custom art . It is very easy to use too much. If you find that you didnt apply enough you can always use more. Try not to saturate you finger with the silicone. Try to make sure there is only a small amount in the middle of your finger tip. If you feel you didnt get enough on the spine artwork, you can always add more. Run the hair dryer over the metal spine to make sure the glue is still hot, then put the spine back on. Prop up the case with the spine facing down and keep it propped up with bookends or envelope boxes to ensure it sticks.

[severe conservative]

So Im a fan of Predator 1 and 2 but don't really care for Predators 2010, but I love the Predator collection steelbook, so I converted it to house only the first two Predator movies. Trying to figure out the best way to blot out the number "3" on the cover and spine. So far the best way I know how is to use a sharpie. Which works very well - you would need to scratch it and rub it very hard to get the ink off - things you would not want to do to a steelbook anyway. If anybody has a better idea on how to blot it out it would be appreciated.




pix upload

[Vangeli]

Just added Blade Runner: The Final Cut! After finding out the upcoming HDzeta Steelbook will be one of the current designs, I figured I'd get the only decent looking Blade Runner Steelbook available.

Blade Runner: The Final Cut (Canada Exclusive)
4K + 2D + Bonus + Bonus

[Show spoiler]

[casperuk]

I need to do this for blade runner.

I've got the 5 disc suit case set and been meaning to add the uhd disc to it. But it'll be 6 discs and unless I stack the discs I don't think there is a 6 disc steelbook. I know the mission impossible set could be 6 discs but it stacked.

[Vangeli]

Jumbo Steelbooks can fit six discs without stacking but require a custom spine sticker and they're jumbo Steelbooks, which is a major turn-off for some.

I'm currently working on both Pacific Rim and Avatar Jumbo Steelbooks.

Pacific Rim: 4K + 3D + 2D + Bonus + Bonus + DVD


Avatar: [empty hub for eventual 4K] + 3D + 2D + Bonus + Bonus + DVD


And yeah the Canadian Final Cut Steelbook looks pretty frakkin' good on a black jumbo frame, and happens to fit perfectly in the briefcase! Happened to have a black jumbo frame and wanted to see what it'd look like. Black frames look great with black/dark Steelbooks, and while you lose internal artwork you don't have to deal with the lack of internal spine artwork!