ᐅ KALLAX casters difficult to attach – any screw tips?

Hello everyone,

I just chose my KALLAX shelf and wanted to attach casters to make it more flexible in the room. However, I’m having trouble securing the casters: the screws don’t seem to hold properly, even though I have the right ones included in the set. The pre-drilled holes appear a bit too large, so the screws don’t grip firmly when tightened and the casters wobble.

Has anyone had experience mounting casters on a KALLAX? Are there specific types of screws or tricks that can help ensure the casters are fixed securely and lastingly?

It would also be great to get tips on the correct way to insert the screws or any hidden pitfalls during installation. Thanks in advance!

I’m very familiar with this problem; it’s really frustrating when the screws don’t grip properly and the casters wobble. I experienced the same issue with my KALLAX.

danyalpeo schrieb:
The pre-drilled holes seem a bit too large, so the screws don’t hold firmly when being screwed in

Sometimes it helps to modify the screw holes slightly—for example, by inserting a small piece of wood inside as a backing so the screw has more to grip onto.

Alternatively, I like to use wood screws with a larger thread or small dowels that can be inserted on the inside.

It’s frustrating not to have the shelf properly mobile, but with some patience it usually works out.

Put wood glue into the holes, then screw in the screws. This holds much better.

Alternatively, insert a small piece of toothpick, then screw in.

The challenge when attaching the KALLAX casters lies in the material thickness and the composition of the particleboard used for the shelving unit. The pre-drilled holes are slightly larger than standard screws require, which can lead to poor grip if the screws are too soft or the holes are too large.

My advice:
- Use screws with a self-tapping thread and, if possible, a larger outer diameter to achieve a better hold.
- Alternatively, you can fill the hole with wall anchors or small wooden dowels before screwing in the screw.
- Another effective method is to apply wood glue or construction adhesive into the hole before inserting the screw. This greatly improves the grip.

Please also pay attention to the screw length: they should be long enough to engage deeply but not so long that they protrude on the other side.

If you experience problems using standard screws and the pre-drilled holes, reworking the holes with small wooden cylinders (toothpicks or wooden sticks) and added glue can reliably solve the issue. The shelving unit will then be mobile and securely positioned.

mifra schrieb:
The challenge with attaching the KALLAX casters lies in the thickness and nature of the particleboard used for the shelving unit.

I completely agree that this is the main issue.

anlu67 schrieb:
Apply wood glue into the holes before screwing in. It holds much better.

I can confirm that using wood glue made a real difference for me.

For those new to this: work carefully and never overtighten the screws, as the material can easily break down. If the shelving unit is older or heavily loaded, it’s better to proactively add reinforcements—ideally with washers on both sides or metal brackets, if possible.

I hope this helps everyone struggling with the casters. After all, no one wants to have to screw them in twice, as it can be very frustrating.