ᐅ How can I prevent damage when assembling Malm furniture?

Created on: 16 Mar 2021 09:17
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emiliano4
Hello everyone, I would like to discuss a topic that probably concerns many of us who assemble Malm furniture from IKEA at home: How can I prevent damage when putting together Malm furniture?

I’ve noticed that the surfaces and edges of Malm dressers are quite delicate, especially when using tools or moving the parts around. Are there any proven methods you can recommend to avoid scratches, dents, or even edge damage permanently? I’m interested in tips for both preparing the workspace and during the actual assembly, as well as advice on tools or materials that work well. Thanks in advance for your responses!
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BAUEVA
17 Mar 2021 08:41
I have noticed that many recommendations for protecting Malm furniture are based on superficial measures without truly addressing the root cause of the damage. The constant risk of scratches arises from unfavorable leverage or stresses that occur during assembly.

Therefore, my question to everyone is: How do you handle the positioning of the parts when, for example, dowels and screws are joined? Do you work horizontally or vertically? I suspect that working consciously in ergonomic positions with pressure applied from the right direction could minimize the risk.

Also, does anyone know what materials Ikea uses for edge banding and whether there are compatible protective films that provide long-term protection during the assembly process?
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meGreg
17 Mar 2021 09:53
BAUEVA schrieb:
How do you handle the positioning of parts when, for example, dowels and screws are joined together?

Hello BAUEVA, I agree with you, there’s more to it than just “being careful.” My “secret trick” is to always lay the parts on their backs whenever possible. This keeps everything stable, allowing me to work with less force and better control.
Sinan-meo schrieb:
Use edge protection, like wide tape or felt strips, applied to the edges in advance.

I think that’s a great idea. I’ve usually just placed fabric scraps or used the cardboard from the packaging, which also works well.

And I recommend taking a few breaks – when you get frustrated, you tend to work less neatly and cause more damage. So, stay relaxed and keep your sense of humor! 🙂 Everything will turn out fine when you stay calm :-)