ᐅ Kallax dividers are breaking out – defect or installation error?
Created on: 19 Jan 2021 09:37
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Reufhau34R
Reufhau3419 Jan 2021 09:37Hello everyone, I recently assembled several Kallax shelves from IKEA and unfortunately noticed that some of the intermediate panels tore at the screw fixing points when tightening the screws. My question is: from your experience, is this issue likely due to a material defect or poor workmanship, or is it more related to an assembly error? I only tightened the screws by hand, certainly not with a power drill or excessive force. The panels are only partly cracked – but I noticed that the wood around the screw holes is quite thin in some places. What are your experiences? Can this be used as a reason for a complaint with IKEA, or is it simply a material thickness that requires extra care during assembly? I’m looking forward to your opinions and hope someone can help me out here.
Reufhau34 schrieb:
The material at the fastening points tears out despite careful assembly Oh man, I know that all too well! 🙂I experienced the same with my Kallax and was really frustrated at first. But often it’s just the material: particleboard and thin fiberboard strips are prone to damage if screws are tightened too much or inserted at a slight angle.
My solution was to pre-drill the holes with a thin drill bit, which prevented any tearing – maybe you could try that!
And if you followed all the instructions correctly, definitely contact Ikea; they are usually accommodating in such cases, especially if multiple parts are affected. Good luck! 🙂
That is really frustrating, and I understand your annoyance.
I have also experienced situations where a combination of screws tightened too firmly and uneven pressure leads to such tear-outs.
Maybe it could help to slightly moisten the strips before installation, as this sometimes makes the material less brittle. But be careful—not too much, of course!
Can you tell if the screws were countersunk screws that were not too large for the pilot holes? These details can also be crucial.
Davidleo schrieb:That’s true; the material is sometimes not as sturdy as one would like.
Particleboard and thin wood fiber strips are indeed prone to damage
I have also experienced situations where a combination of screws tightened too firmly and uneven pressure leads to such tear-outs.
Maybe it could help to slightly moisten the strips before installation, as this sometimes makes the material less brittle. But be careful—not too much, of course!
Can you tell if the screws were countersunk screws that were not too large for the pilot holes? These details can also be crucial.
Hello, I would like to briefly explain the common causes of splitting in the intermediate slats of Kallax shelves.
The intermediate slats are made from composite materials that, due to their construction and material thickness, do not tolerate high point loads well.
If screws are inserted without pre-drilling, the material structure is pushed apart, causing the material around the holes to split. The issue is often related more to the installation method, particularly the lack of pre-drilling, rather than an inherent material defect.
It is recommended to pre-drill the screw holes using a suitable drill bit about 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 inches) smaller than the screw diameter. Additionally, screws should be driven in slowly and straight to minimize shear forces.
If the material is already significantly damaged, such as large cracks or splintering, this may be a valid reason for a complaint. However, minor splitting usually falls under proper installation responsibility.
I hope this helps clarify the matter.
The intermediate slats are made from composite materials that, due to their construction and material thickness, do not tolerate high point loads well.
If screws are inserted without pre-drilling, the material structure is pushed apart, causing the material around the holes to split. The issue is often related more to the installation method, particularly the lack of pre-drilling, rather than an inherent material defect.
It is recommended to pre-drill the screw holes using a suitable drill bit about 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 inches) smaller than the screw diameter. Additionally, screws should be driven in slowly and straight to minimize shear forces.
If the material is already significantly damaged, such as large cracks or splintering, this may be a valid reason for a complaint. However, minor splitting usually falls under proper installation responsibility.
I hope this helps clarify the matter.
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FRANCISCOP20 Jan 2021 11:48Here are some precise additional facts:
1. Kallax units are primarily made of melamine-coated particleboard, which is typical for their price range but relatively sensitive to pressure.
2. Tear-outs at the intermediate battens usually occur due to lack of pre-drilling. Screws create localized shear forces that can easily break thin particleboard fibers.
3. Tear-outs that appear even when screwing in carefully by hand may indicate potential material defects at those points; however, they are mostly typical material characteristics.
4. IKEA does not provide specific assembly instructions for pre-drilling but expects assembly without excessive force.
5. Claims should be limited to obvious breaks or manufacturing defects.
Conclusion: It is advisable to pre-drill screw holes and screw in screws gently to avoid tear-outs. If in doubt, a report to IKEA can be made, especially if multiple battens are affected.
1. Kallax units are primarily made of melamine-coated particleboard, which is typical for their price range but relatively sensitive to pressure.
2. Tear-outs at the intermediate battens usually occur due to lack of pre-drilling. Screws create localized shear forces that can easily break thin particleboard fibers.
3. Tear-outs that appear even when screwing in carefully by hand may indicate potential material defects at those points; however, they are mostly typical material characteristics.
4. IKEA does not provide specific assembly instructions for pre-drilling but expects assembly without excessive force.
5. Claims should be limited to obvious breaks or manufacturing defects.
Conclusion: It is advisable to pre-drill screw holes and screw in screws gently to avoid tear-outs. If in doubt, a report to IKEA can be made, especially if multiple battens are affected.
FRANCISCOP schrieb:
It is advisable to pre-drill screw holes and insert screws carefullyExactly, I can only agree with these tips. I always feel uncertain with such materials, but a bit of caution is usually enough.
TEOZAR schrieb:
If the material is already severely damaged, meaning extensively torn or splintered, this can be a valid reason for a complaintIt might be worth carefully considering whether the damage affects the shelf’s functionality or is just a cosmetic issue. If it’s the latter, I would rather see that as an installation error.
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