ᐅ How to Screw in BILLY Shelf Screws Without Damage: Tips and Tricks
Created on: 10 May 2020 09:07
E
ewensan
Hello everyone, I’m currently assembling a Billy bookshelf and I’m wondering how to screw in the screws without damaging the material. Since the wood is relatively soft and the holes are pre-drilled, there is a high risk of the wood splitting or the screws being over-tightened, which could make the shelf unstable. Do you have any proven tips or tricks on how to screw them in properly without damaging the shelves or compromising stability? For those familiar with this shelf: is it more about pre-drilling, using the right screwdriver, or the timing of screwing? Thanks!
PIERCE schrieb:
For me, it always helps to coat the screw hole with a bit of wax or soap.That’s a good tip, which I also use. Some people apply beeswax as well. It makes driving the screw easier and protects the wood from splitting. Just be careful that it doesn’t cause the screw to loosen over time.
Thanks for the quick and helpful answers so far! I have another question about pre-drilling: With Billy shelves, all the holes are usually pre-drilled at the factory. Is it still advisable to pre-drill again with a smaller drill bit in sensitive areas (e.g. edges or thin shelves) before screwing? Or does that tend to cause more problems? Is there a guideline on when it’s better to pre-drill and when it’s better to avoid it?
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Sinan-meo11 May 2020 09:12ewensan schrieb:
Is it still advisable to pre-drill with a smaller drill bit in sensitive areas (e.g., edges or thin shelves) before screwing?This is actually a double-edged sword. In BILLY shelves, the holes are usually precisely matched, and the material is sometimes thin.
I recommend pre-drilling only if you notice that the screws are difficult to insert or there is a risk of the wood splitting. Using a drill bit that is too large for the pilot hole will reduce the screw’s grip.
The length and type of screw also play a significant role. For the original connector screws, the pilot holes generally should not be altered.
ewensan schrieb:
Is there a guideline for when you should pre-drill and when it’s better not to?A good rule of thumb is the thickness of the wood in the area where the screw turns: If the board thickness is less than 12 mm (0.5 inches), I would definitely pre-drill. For thicker parts, it can sometimes be done without pre-drilling.
For the best hold: The diameter of the pilot hole should be about 70-80% of the screw diameter, so the threads catch securely without splitting the wood.
I am somewhat skeptical about the advice to use wax, which may reduce friction but can also weaken the connection over time.
It seems to me that the issue with BILLY is less about the screw itself and more about the surrounding conditions—for example, if the shelf is over-tightened or if the wood already has micro-cracks.
I wonder if it might be more sensible to use screws with a torque limiter instead of friction-reducing agents. Does anyone have recommendations for suitable screwdriver torque settings?
It seems to me that the issue with BILLY is less about the screw itself and more about the surrounding conditions—for example, if the shelf is over-tightened or if the wood already has micro-cracks.
I wonder if it might be more sensible to use screws with a torque limiter instead of friction-reducing agents. Does anyone have recommendations for suitable screwdriver torque settings?
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