ᐅ Which tools are unnecessary when assembling the Ikea BRIMNES?

Hello everyone,

I recently assembled an IKEA Brimnes furniture piece and am wondering which tools are truly necessary and which ones can safely be skipped.

Specifically, I’m interested in knowing: which tools do you consider unnecessary when assembling the IKEA BRIMNES?

So far, I have used a standard Phillips screwdriver, the Allen key included in the kit, and a basic pair of pliers. Some people say a cordless drill can be helpful, while others believe certain tools are mostly unnecessary for the BRIMNES.

I’m curious about your experience—especially if you have assembled several BRIMNES pieces.

Are there any tools you find really dispensable because the assembly works well without them?

I want to avoid buying unnecessary tools for my next assembly and would appreciate your insights.

Hello DANAKIN,

I’m happy to address your question from a technical perspective, as I often assemble IKEA furniture and maintain a rather strict set of tools for it.

Regarding the IKEA BRIMNES: This furniture system primarily uses standard wood dowels, screws, and cam locks (those round metal fasteners). The instructions usually suggest working with the included Allen key and Phillips screwdriver.

Tools that I definitely consider useful:
- Phillips screwdriver (manual, if used carefully)
- Included Allen key (fits cam locks perfectly)

Tools that I find unnecessary:
- Cordless drill/driver: At first glance, it sounds helpful, but with BRIMNES, screws should be tightened gently. Too much torque can damage the wood or warp the parts. So it’s not really needed unless you want to save a lot of time.
- Pliers: Only needed if a dowel doesn’t fit or to fix small imperfections. Generally, dispensable.
- Hammer: The instructions seldom require hammering because the wooden parts usually fit precisely. A small rubber mallet might help if something is tight but is not essential.

If you want to be very economical, these tools are sufficient:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Included Allen key

If you assemble furniture more often, a rubber mallet can be a helpful addition but is not mandatory. I wouldn’t invest in any other special tools just to put together the BRIMNES.

Laukau5 schrieb:
Cordless screwdriver: Sounds helpful at first, but with BRIMNES furniture, it’s better to tighten screws gently.

That sums it up pretty well! Especially with furniture like BRIMNES, a gentle touch is more useful than brute force – sometimes a cordless screwdriver can cause more harm than good 😅.

I've also experienced screws being driven in too deep, causing the wood parts that hold them to swell or even split a bit. Using a small Allen key and screwdriver is always much gentler.

What I definitely find unnecessary are oversized tools like large pipe wrenches or similar monsters. They are totally out of place when assembling such lightweight furniture and tend to make the process harder, not easier.

So: better to keep it minimal and only use what’s really needed. It saves time, money, and avoids dealing with tools you’ll probably never touch again 😊.

DANAKIN schrieb:
Which tools do you consider unnecessary when assembling the IKEA BRIMNES?

Very interesting question, DANAKIN! IKEA assembly can often feel like a bit of a secret art. But don’t worry, the BRIMNES is actually quite easy when it comes to tools!

Personally, I find these tools really unnecessary:
- Hammer or rubber mallet (unless you’re dealing with very tight-fitting parts, which is rare)
- Cordless drill (sure, very convenient, but not really needed for this piece of furniture; plus, assembling it slowly helps you learn the process and saves battery power 😄)
- Special tools bought specifically for this furniture (no point, as the included Allen key and a simple screwdriver cover everything)

And for anyone worried about the assembly: it’s really a matter of patience – carefully and slowly tightening screws with the included tools makes the process safer and less stressful. So just stay calm, and it will work out fine without all the extra tools! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!