Verdict on screw downs

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by irv

I had my 52 Topps Mantle and Mays in screw downs for many years but quickly removed them when many on here told about the possible hazards.
Luckily I never tightened the screws anymore than I had too and I am also glad I decided to store them on their side rather than flat to help keep the weight off the actual card.

In my opinion, with recessed screw downs now available, it makes no sense to me to not use them if one likes screw downs.

I have found that the recessed screw-downs often allow the card to move around within the case, and do not hold firmly enough. Especially those that are molded for tobacco-sized cards. This movement in itself can cause more damage than any perceived issue with non-recessed cases.

And I cannot even find recessed cases for Goudey... so I go with non-recessed, and not a single example has subsequently failed to numerically grade.

[irv]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I have found that the recessed screw-downs often allow the card to move around within the case, and do not hold firmly enough. Especially those that are molded for tobacco-sized cards. This movement in itself can cause more damage than any perceived issue with non-recessed cases.

And I cannot even find recessed cases for Goudey... so I go with non-recessed, and not a single example has subsequently failed to numerically grade.

For sure using the proper size, if available, is paramount but according to many on this site, many have had issues over the years.
Not saying one way or another if they are good or bad as I never encountered any problems the way I used and stored mine, but by the sounds of it, many have.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=152019

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by irv

For sure using the proper size, if available, is paramount but according to many on this site, many have had issues over the years.
Not saying one way or another if they are good or bad as I never encountered any problems the way I used and stored mine, but by the sounds of it, many have.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=152019

Hmmm... maybe if exposed to extreme humidity, a glossy type card could stick to the top half? Curious to know what were the specific issues, if you can recall?

I’ve never seen a detailed example from anyone but I’m betting any cards with issues have been stored in places not considered safe in any collectable situation. I know many collectors who have stored cards in places with no environmental control such as non climate controlled storage units. Where is as important as how in my experience. I’ve seen old plastic toys crumble due to poor storage. Cardboard and is even more sensitive to the elements.

[bmattioli]

I had been storing my prized cards in screw downs since 1984 but moved them to recessed holders out of fear of reading articles of the potential damage they can cause. Never saw any damage..

[Fred]

My negative experience with a screw down holder.

Purchased a T201 (very think stock card) in a screw down holder. I removed 3 of the 4 screws and while working on the fourth screw, the top part of the plastic piece barely shifted, but it was enough to tear a corner off my WaJo T201. Yeah, I was a little bummed out. Lesson learned - loosen ALL four corners before trying to remove the card.

[bnorth]

I don't store any cards in them. I do use them a lot for shipping single cards. They are the best insurance you can get against damage. Most screw downs you could run over with your car and not damage the card inside it.

[topcat61]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I have found that the recessed screw-downs often allow the card to move around within the case, and do not hold firmly enough. Especially those that are molded for tobacco-sized cards. This movement in itself can cause more damage than any perceived issue with non-recessed cases.

And I cannot even find recessed cases for Goudey... so I go with non-recessed, and not a single example has subsequently failed to numerically grade.

If you use a sleeve first, and then the screwdown, you wont have any problems.

[SD]

I have had paper and print loss from cheap 70s plastic slabs sticking to the card. Sleeved first and I don't see an issue.

[ALR-bishop]

I do not store them in slabs and am an ungraded collector. In building my 74 Deckle sets I twice bought cards in non recessed slabs that when opened resulted in some damage from the cards being stuck to one surface. Agree with some of the above comments that this may have resulted from conditions in which they were stored. But since then I have always insisted that a seller showing a card in such a holder first send me a picture front and back of the card out of the holder before buying/bidding. If they say no I pass

[irv]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

I do not store them in slabs and am an ungraded collector. In building my 74 Deckle sets I twice bought cards in non recessed slabs that when opened resulted in some damage from the cards being stuck to one surface. Agree with some of the above comments that this may have resulted from conditions in which they were stored. But since then I have always insisted that a seller showing a card in such a holder first send me a picture front and back of the card out of the holder before buying/bidding. If they say no I pass

I purchased a Darryl Sittler RC that was in a thin screw down slab. Trusting the sellers description and not seeing anything suspect in the scans, I purchased it but found out the hard way, once it was freed from the screw down, that it was creased horizontally across the middle of the card. Lesson learned but I was refunded and sent the card back.