ᐅ Experiences with wood glue instead of screws for unstable Kallax units?
Created on: 20 May 2021 08:17
B
bladan
Hello everyone,
I have a somewhat unusual question regarding my wobbly Kallax shelves from Ikea. Instead of tightening the screws or using new ones, I am considering using wood glue as an alternative to stabilize the joints. So my question is: Has anyone had experience using wood glue instead of screws to fix wobbly Kallax shelves? Does it work reliably, or are there important factors to keep in mind? What about load-bearing capacity and long-term stability? I look forward to your opinions and tips!
I have a somewhat unusual question regarding my wobbly Kallax shelves from Ikea. Instead of tightening the screws or using new ones, I am considering using wood glue as an alternative to stabilize the joints. So my question is: Has anyone had experience using wood glue instead of screws to fix wobbly Kallax shelves? Does it work reliably, or are there important factors to keep in mind? What about load-bearing capacity and long-term stability? I look forward to your opinions and tips!
I would recommend lightly sanding the surfaces beforehand if you want to use wood glue to ensure better adhesion. In the case of Kallax, the surfaces are usually melamine-coated, which makes bonding more difficult. Glue on such coatings is often ineffective.
Additionally, moisture in the glue can cause the material to swell, which can also be problematic. Therefore, it is better to be cautious and not rely on pure glue joints for heavy loads.
Additionally, moisture in the glue can cause the material to swell, which can also be problematic. Therefore, it is better to be cautious and not rely on pure glue joints for heavy loads.
In addition to the previous discussion: If the Kallax shelf wobbles, this can also be due to uneven floors or poor assembly. Before considering glue or screws, these issues should be checked.
Glue cannot permanently eliminate vibrations; screws or special bracket connectors are much more effective here. Even small spacers or felt pads under the feet often help prevent wobbling.
Glue cannot permanently eliminate vibrations; screws or special bracket connectors are much more effective here. Even small spacers or felt pads under the feet often help prevent wobbling.
I love it when you can simply upgrade things with wood glue! 😍 However, in this case, I would definitely play it safe and use the glue as additional support alongside screws. From my experience, Kallax units only became really stable for me after I fixed the back panel with glue and tightened the screws. So it’s best to combine both methods – then it will hold for years! :-)
ryan1 schrieb:
My Kallax shelves only stopped wobbling once I glued the back panel in place and tightened the screws.That’s exactly how I feel as well. The back panel really stabilizes the whole thing; if something at the back is loose, the entire shelf unit behaves unpredictably.
So, glue instead of screws? Probably not. But glue AND screws, plus properly securing the back panel – that’s when you get a sturdy shelf.
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