ᐅ The screws in my KALLAX never hold for long – have you tried wood glue?
Created on: 26 Jan 2024 14:37
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NosusinHello everyone,
I have a problem with my KALLAX shelf where the screws holding the individual wooden parts together don’t last long. After a relatively short time, they loosen, and I have to keep tightening them or refastening completely. This surprises me because at first glance everything looks sturdy, and I haven’t overtightened the screws.
Now I’m wondering if it makes sense to use wood glue in addition to increase stability and prevent the screws from loosening. Has anyone had experience with this?
Which wood glue is best suited for the KALLAX wood (which is more like chipboard with a melamine coating), and what is the best way to combine it with the screws?
Or do you know other, better methods to permanently secure the screws?
Thanks very much for your tips!
I have a problem with my KALLAX shelf where the screws holding the individual wooden parts together don’t last long. After a relatively short time, they loosen, and I have to keep tightening them or refastening completely. This surprises me because at first glance everything looks sturdy, and I haven’t overtightened the screws.
Now I’m wondering if it makes sense to use wood glue in addition to increase stability and prevent the screws from loosening. Has anyone had experience with this?
Which wood glue is best suited for the KALLAX wood (which is more like chipboard with a melamine coating), and what is the best way to combine it with the screws?
Or do you know other, better methods to permanently secure the screws?
Thanks very much for your tips!
Hey Nosusin, that sounds really frustrating, but it’s not an isolated case! I upgraded my KALLAX shelves by combining wood glue AND screws – it held together rock solid! 🙂
Try the classic Ponal wood glue – it’s a water-based white glue that soaks well into the fibers. The important thing is to apply the glue thinly and evenly and then tighten the screws properly. After that, let it dry for about 24 hours before loading the shelf.
It’s great when the parts actually stay stable like that!
Try the classic Ponal wood glue – it’s a water-based white glue that soaks well into the fibers. The important thing is to apply the glue thinly and evenly and then tighten the screws properly. After that, let it dry for about 24 hours before loading the shelf.
It’s great when the parts actually stay stable like that!
Hello Nosusin,
First, a brief note on the material structure of your KALLAX shelf: The wood is not solid wood but particleboard, often coated with melamine or foil. In this case, the typical principle of wood jointing with wood glue works less well because the surface hardly absorbs moisture, so the glue adheres only superficially and does not penetrate into the material.
For screw fixing, it is very important that the holes are as smooth and clean as possible and not roughened or widened by repeated screwing. If the screws loosen, it is usually due to the material around the screw becoming loose.
My tip: Using special dowels for particleboard (for example, furniture dowels) can help. Also, applying a layer of wood glue in combination with screws only makes sense if the connection is properly clamped afterward and allowed enough time to dry completely. Otherwise, there is a risk that the glue will no longer hold the screws.
Have you tried reinforcing the screw holes with wooden strips or spacers? Sometimes a reinforcing frame is worthwhile.
How often exactly do the screws come loose, and how heavy is the load on the shelf? These details can help find the right solution.
First, a brief note on the material structure of your KALLAX shelf: The wood is not solid wood but particleboard, often coated with melamine or foil. In this case, the typical principle of wood jointing with wood glue works less well because the surface hardly absorbs moisture, so the glue adheres only superficially and does not penetrate into the material.
For screw fixing, it is very important that the holes are as smooth and clean as possible and not roughened or widened by repeated screwing. If the screws loosen, it is usually due to the material around the screw becoming loose.
My tip: Using special dowels for particleboard (for example, furniture dowels) can help. Also, applying a layer of wood glue in combination with screws only makes sense if the connection is properly clamped afterward and allowed enough time to dry completely. Otherwise, there is a risk that the glue will no longer hold the screws.
Have you tried reinforcing the screw holes with wooden strips or spacers? Sometimes a reinforcing frame is worthwhile.
How often exactly do the screws come loose, and how heavy is the load on the shelf? These details can help find the right solution.
Thanks in advance for the quick responses!
That sounds good so far. I was unsure whether the glue would hold at all because of the melamine coating.
Also a good idea! What strength of threadlocker would you recommend? I’ve heard that medium-strength threadlockers are especially suitable for furniture, right?
That’s interesting. I’ve noticed screws becoming loose about three times, and then I retightened them. The load is average; I store books and decorations.
Would you recommend drilling new holes and using these special dowels plus glue? Or would that be too invasive for the material?
Looking forward to more input!
labar43 schrieb:
Try the classic Ponal wood glue – it’s a water-based white glue
That sounds good so far. I was unsure whether the glue would hold at all because of the melamine coating.
Elijah42 schrieb:
Use threadlocker (Loctite)
Also a good idea! What strength of threadlocker would you recommend? I’ve heard that medium-strength threadlockers are especially suitable for furniture, right?
Domau0 schrieb:
Using special dowels for chipboard (for example, furniture dowels) can help.
That’s interesting. I’ve noticed screws becoming loose about three times, and then I retightened them. The load is average; I store books and decorations.
Would you recommend drilling new holes and using these special dowels plus glue? Or would that be too invasive for the material?
Looking forward to more input!
Hello Nosusin,
you have already put a lot of thought into this. Here are a few basic points regarding the materials and the joint:
1. As mentioned, KALLAX wood is usually made of melamine-coated particleboard. The glue does not soak in much, so it adheres to the surface but does not create the same bonding strength as solid wood.
2. Screws hold in particleboard because their threads displace the wood particles, creating grip. If the material around the screw is damaged or stripped, the joint loses stability.
3. Using wood glue together with screws can help if you clamp the joint tightly and allow enough drying time – this way, small wood fibers are glued together and reinforce the area around the screw.
4. One solution is to fill the hole with wood glue and then carefully insert a small wooden dowel to give the screw hole more substance. Alternatively, you can use wood filler or a mixture of wood shavings and glue to repair the hole.
Using threadlocker is also helpful to prevent loosening from vibrations. Medium-strength threadlockers are good because they can be reopened if needed.
Good luck with the repair!
you have already put a lot of thought into this. Here are a few basic points regarding the materials and the joint:
1. As mentioned, KALLAX wood is usually made of melamine-coated particleboard. The glue does not soak in much, so it adheres to the surface but does not create the same bonding strength as solid wood.
2. Screws hold in particleboard because their threads displace the wood particles, creating grip. If the material around the screw is damaged or stripped, the joint loses stability.
3. Using wood glue together with screws can help if you clamp the joint tightly and allow enough drying time – this way, small wood fibers are glued together and reinforce the area around the screw.
4. One solution is to fill the hole with wood glue and then carefully insert a small wooden dowel to give the screw hole more substance. Alternatively, you can use wood filler or a mixture of wood shavings and glue to repair the hole.
Using threadlocker is also helpful to prevent loosening from vibrations. Medium-strength threadlockers are good because they can be reopened if needed.
Good luck with the repair!
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