ᐅ KALLAX has settled after my modification – has anyone else experienced this?
Created on: 1 May 2024 08:23
M
minto
Hello everyone, I have a problem with my KALLAX shelf after modifying it myself and hope there is someone here who is familiar with this or can help.
I added some extra shelves and reinforced parts of the sides to increase stability. Still, I have noticed that after some time the shelf has noticeably sagged; the upper shelves are no longer more or less level but are bending downward. It seems like the structure no longer has sufficient load-bearing capacity or that the modifications unintentionally affected its strength.
Does anyone have experience with similar modifications to the KALLAX and know common issues? How can the shelf be modified or reinforced to keep it stable and prevent sagging? I look forward to your feedback and thank you in advance!
I added some extra shelves and reinforced parts of the sides to increase stability. Still, I have noticed that after some time the shelf has noticeably sagged; the upper shelves are no longer more or less level but are bending downward. It seems like the structure no longer has sufficient load-bearing capacity or that the modifications unintentionally affected its strength.
Does anyone have experience with similar modifications to the KALLAX and know common issues? How can the shelf be modified or reinforced to keep it stable and prevent sagging? I look forward to your feedback and thank you in advance!
Thank you all for the quick and helpful feedback!
Regarding the fastening: I fixed the additional shelves to the side panels with small screws, but I didn’t use any metal brackets or similar hardware. The materials are 18mm (0.7 inch) thick particle boards, similar to the original shelves, but without any back panel reinforcement.
Since you all mentioned the back panel: I actually left it out because I wanted to keep the shelf open from the front.
Here is my answer: Screws go directly into the side panels, no new vertical supports, but additional shelves in between.
Maybe that’s exactly the problem – I wanted more flexibility but ended up putting too much stress on the side panels.
Do you have any suggestions on how to improve stability without reinstalling the entire back panel?
Regarding the fastening: I fixed the additional shelves to the side panels with small screws, but I didn’t use any metal brackets or similar hardware. The materials are 18mm (0.7 inch) thick particle boards, similar to the original shelves, but without any back panel reinforcement.
Since you all mentioned the back panel: I actually left it out because I wanted to keep the shelf open from the front.
Nathanaelk schrieb:
Can you describe in more detail how the new shelves are fastened?
Here is my answer: Screws go directly into the side panels, no new vertical supports, but additional shelves in between.
Maybe that’s exactly the problem – I wanted more flexibility but ended up putting too much stress on the side panels.
Do you have any suggestions on how to improve stability without reinstalling the entire back panel?
Hello! I’d like to provide you with a brief step-by-step guide on how to improve the stability without reinstalling the back panel:
1. Check the screw connections: Make sure the screws are tight and that the side panels are not splintering around the screw holes. If they are, you can fill the holes with wooden dowels and use new screws.
2. Reinforce the side panels: If possible, attach narrow battens or metal brackets on the inside to stabilize the side panels vertically. Be sure to fix them with sufficiently long screws.
3. Install a central support post: If the shelving unit is wide, an additional vertical central support helps prevent the shelves from sagging. This can be fitted and screwed in from top to bottom in the middle.
4. Add extra cross braces: When installing new shelves, you can attach small wooden strips underneath as reinforcement to increase load capacity.
5. Distribute loads evenly: Avoid point loads on the new shelves and spread the weight evenly.
The most important thing is to protect the carcass against twisting by adding more stiffening in depth and length. If a back panel cannot be installed, small battens and angle brackets are helpful. Good luck with that!
1. Check the screw connections: Make sure the screws are tight and that the side panels are not splintering around the screw holes. If they are, you can fill the holes with wooden dowels and use new screws.
2. Reinforce the side panels: If possible, attach narrow battens or metal brackets on the inside to stabilize the side panels vertically. Be sure to fix them with sufficiently long screws.
3. Install a central support post: If the shelving unit is wide, an additional vertical central support helps prevent the shelves from sagging. This can be fitted and screwed in from top to bottom in the middle.
4. Add extra cross braces: When installing new shelves, you can attach small wooden strips underneath as reinforcement to increase load capacity.
5. Distribute loads evenly: Avoid point loads on the new shelves and spread the weight evenly.
minto schrieb:
Habt ihr Vorschläge, wie ich die Stabilität verbessern kann, ohne die Rückwand wieder komplett anzubringen?
The most important thing is to protect the carcass against twisting by adding more stiffening in depth and length. If a back panel cannot be installed, small battens and angle brackets are helpful. Good luck with that!
I really like how many tips come together here, which can also help reduce uncertainties when doing it yourself! 🙂
That’s also my advice: it’s better to focus a bit more on quality, especially for the load-bearing parts of the KALLAX. A little extra wood, a few more screws and brackets, and the whole thing turns into a real stability monster, guaranteed.
minto, if you like, try using brackets hidden on the inside – you’ll be amazed at how much difference that makes. And if you work a bit with a small spirit level, you can gradually minimize any sagging.
Good luck, and don’t get frustrated; it’s definitely possible to build something stable like this! ;-)
nojaus schrieb:
That was the turning point for me too – I used cheaper boards back then, which unfortunately were way too thin.
That’s also my advice: it’s better to focus a bit more on quality, especially for the load-bearing parts of the KALLAX. A little extra wood, a few more screws and brackets, and the whole thing turns into a real stability monster, guaranteed.
minto, if you like, try using brackets hidden on the inside – you’ll be amazed at how much difference that makes. And if you work a bit with a small spirit level, you can gradually minimize any sagging.
Good luck, and don’t get frustrated; it’s definitely possible to build something stable like this! ;-)
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