ᐅ How do you repair broken parts on Billy bookcases?

Created on: 10 Aug 2020 09:13
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ken54
Hello everyone, a part of the middle shelf in my Billy bookcase from IKEA has unfortunately broken. It is the thin particleboard, which was probably damaged due to too much weight or rough handling. Now I want to repair it without having to replace the entire shelf. Does anyone have experience with properly fixing such broken parts? I am especially interested in how to stabilize the break points so that the load-bearing capacity is maintained. Materials, methods, and tools that work well would be very helpful.
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praWarre69
11 Aug 2020 09:27
Chendu schrieb:
Wood filler is more suitable for small cracks

That's true, you really have to be careful when applying filler. Otherwise, the floor becomes too soft and breaks again quickly. Sometimes, a sturdy strip underneath is a better solution, which you can also paint nicely – problem solved! 😉
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ken54
11 Aug 2020 10:44
Thanks to everyone for the great tips! I will first clean and roughen the broken edges, then join them using wood glue and clamps. In addition, I plan to screw a thin strip underneath to increase stability. If I can’t find a suitable replacement floorboard, I will skip the filler and rely on reinforcement instead. I’ll keep you updated 🙂
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RAGUGI
11 Aug 2020 11:10
Fits well, this works fine. Ensure a clean application of adhesive and allow enough time for drying. Then it will be stable.
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ken54
12 Aug 2020 08:55
A brief update from me: Today, I secured my Billy shelf with wood glue and clamps, and attached a strip of wood underneath with screws. After drying, I feel fairly confident that it will hold up for regular use. Thanks again for all the great advice! I'll skip the photo, but the tip was truly invaluable.
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Katau
12 Aug 2020 09:18
Thank you for the feedback! I’m glad it worked out so well. If the shelf is still in good condition, repairs like these can often extend its lifespan significantly.
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NUGRANT
12 Aug 2020 09:45
Great, awesome! 🙂 I’m glad it helped. And if you ever want to change the color of the shelf later on, just use paint – it will look like new again!