ᐅ Why are some screws difficult to fasten when assembling the IKEA BRIMNES furniture?

I just tried assembling the IKEA Brimnes bed and noticed that some screws are really difficult to fasten. I'm very interested in why this might be the case with this model.

Is it due to the material quality of the screws or the pre-drilled holes? Or could it be related to the design of the connecting parts, which might be putting pressure on each other? I’ve tried applying some force to screw them in, but it almost feels like they don’t catch properly or that the resistance is unusually high.

Are there differences depending on the screw type or size that make assembly more difficult? And what’s the best way to avoid damaging the material or the screw heads when facing this strong resistance?

I look forward to your experiences and tips!

Usually, the screws are difficult to fasten because the holes are very tight or the material is somewhat harder. It is best to use a suitable screwdriver or cordless drill with low speed and a gentle touch. If it becomes too difficult, it often helps to lightly coat the screw with some wax or soap before screwing it in.

Meerman schrieb:
Is it due to the material quality of the screws or the pre-drilled holes? Or perhaps the design of the connecting parts, which might come under stress?

This question is really important. In my opinion, it cannot be attributed solely to “material quality” or “pre-drilled holes.”

Looking at the construction of a piece of furniture like BRIMNES, several factors could be involved:
- The type of particleboard and its density
- The manufacturing precision of the holes (tolerances)
- The fit of the individual components, which might have been stressed or warped during transport
- The type of screws, especially the thread shape and size

I suspect that IKEA relies on tight fittings here to ensure stability. If someone screws in too aggressively, they risk damaging the piece, which goes against its intended purpose.

So the resistance is more due to design and functional reasons rather than a defect in quality in the narrow sense. Even the wood can react differently to moisture, which changes the amount of effort required.

I completely understand that the screws can be quite challenging during assembly! The BRIMNES model gave me a hard time last time as well, but sticking with it is definitely worth it!

This is what I did back then: I first tightened each screw entirely by hand, even if it was tough. That way, you can feel exactly where the resistance is greatest. Then I carefully used a cordless drill to finish tightening.

This helps prevent the screws from stripping or the cross recess from wearing out. And I believe that this method produces the best results.

So: don’t give up, you can do it! 🙂

todunar schrieb:
I completely understand that the screws can be quite demanding during assembly!

I can only agree with that. I also found it quite exhausting and got really frustrated at times.

You often feel a bit overwhelmed in the middle of the assembly. What helped me was taking short breaks now and then and not forcing the screws too hard.

I also experienced that IKEA sometimes provides very different screws that aren’t always perfectly matched – so you need to be patient and pay close attention to how they catch.

I hope my experiences encourage you. Often, such an assembly is also a learning process.

BAUEVA schrieb:
The resistance is therefore more due to constructive and functional reasons than a quality defect in the strict sense.

I agree with that. In addition, I can add the following:

When assembling furniture like the BRIMNES, the strength of the pre-drilled holes as well as the type of thread used play a role. IKEA often uses so-called wood screws with self-tapping threads that are intentionally cut a bit tighter to create higher clamping force in the wood.

If the screws are difficult to turn, this indicates a proper fit within the material. However, care should be taken to ensure the screw is not inserted at an angle or misaligned, as this can damage the material.

My tip: Always turn the screw slowly and deliberately, and if you encounter strong resistance, back it out slightly and check the position; this way you can avoid damage.