ᐅ What should you do if the screws in BILLY cabinets strip out due to the material?
Created on: 17 Aug 2019 07:31
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Nudelano9
Hello everyone, I am currently facing the problem that the screws in the side panels of my IKEA Billy shelf keep pulling out. This seems to be due to the material, as the particleboard is relatively soft and does not provide very stable support. Now I’m wondering what the best way to solve this issue is without making major changes or significant modifications to the shelf. Are there certain types of screws, wall plugs, or other methods that can help prevent pulling out in the Billy shelf due to the relatively soft material? I would really appreciate tips and experiences, especially practical solutions that remain stable in the long term.
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praWarre6917 Aug 2019 09:15Hello! No need to panic 🙂! I tried these mini wooden dowels on my Billy, which you simply tap into the pre-drilled hole. After that, the screw holds much better, and it’s much less likely to tear out. The material is still the same soft particle board, but with a bit of patience and gentle handling, it becomes more stable—without any major modifications. Sometimes it’s the little tricks that make a difference 😉
Genevieve schrieb:
raises the question: Didn’t IKEA deliberately choose the material this way to reduce costs? Yes, exactly. You can’t expect miracles from particleboard. It’s cost-effective, but it’s definitely not solid wood.
I would also add that with BILLY, the shelf assembly should be handled as carefully as possible. Avoid tightening the screws too much and preferably use particleboard screws with a coarse thread. If you already have damaged areas, filling them with wood wool and wood glue before inserting the screw can help. Simply tightening the screws again usually does not solve the problem permanently.
anno58 schrieb:
Do not overtighten screws and prefer chipboard screws with a coarse thread. Exactly! More grip means better holding power – and if you tighten too much, it's all over 😀 So it's better to take it easy and proceed cautiously. Your BILLY will thank you! 🙂SEKAR schrieb:
You can't expect miracles from particleboard. That's true, but with smart measures, you can definitely extend its service life. For frequent rearranging, I would generally recommend alternative shelving systems made from solid wood or metal. However, for a one-time assembly and careful use, you can make the BILLY significantly more stable with a few tricks.
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