ᐅ After tightening the screws, my KALLAX unit is now wobbling more – any ideas?
Created on: 9 Jan 2023 08:27
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Nuti51
Hello everyone,
I recently tightened the screws on my IKEA KALLAX shelves because they had become a bit loose. However, since then, I feel that the shelf is somewhat wobblier in several spots than before. All the screws have been securely tightened again, and I even checked for any misalignment or dents in the wood but couldn’t find anything unusual.
Does anyone have an idea why tightening the screws might have caused more movement? I’m quite sure I didn’t overtighten them. Could it be that the fasteners inside the shelf have loosened, or that the wood was damaged from tightening?
I appreciate any helpful insights – thanks in advance!
I recently tightened the screws on my IKEA KALLAX shelves because they had become a bit loose. However, since then, I feel that the shelf is somewhat wobblier in several spots than before. All the screws have been securely tightened again, and I even checked for any misalignment or dents in the wood but couldn’t find anything unusual.
Does anyone have an idea why tightening the screws might have caused more movement? I’m quite sure I didn’t overtighten them. Could it be that the fasteners inside the shelf have loosened, or that the wood was damaged from tightening?
I appreciate any helpful insights – thanks in advance!
Jeanbar schrieb:
I recommend carefully disassembling the shelf and securing the joints with a bit of wood glue.Good idea – a little glue in all the cracks sometimes holds better than you’d expect! 😄 I added a bit of stability like that myself, and now it stands as if it were brand new.
Maybe your KALLAX just feels a bit “overworked” after tightening – give it a little rest in peace. 🙂
Thank you for the tips so far!
I have rechecked the shelf and unfortunately found small hairline cracks in the wood around some of the screws.
The idea of using wood glue sounds good before I take the whole thing apart: Which type of glue would you recommend exactly? And what is the best way to apply it without affecting the appearance or restricting the shelf too much?
Also, I’m not sure how tightly I should fix the screws to prevent wobbling but avoid putting too much pressure on the wood.
I have rechecked the shelf and unfortunately found small hairline cracks in the wood around some of the screws.
The idea of using wood glue sounds good before I take the whole thing apart: Which type of glue would you recommend exactly? And what is the best way to apply it without affecting the appearance or restricting the shelf too much?
Also, I’m not sure how tightly I should fix the screws to prevent wobbling but avoid putting too much pressure on the wood.
It’s great that you’re taking this on yourself! 🙂 I always use PUR wood glue for wood, as it dries quickly and provides a very strong bond. Apply it sparingly with a small brush or toothpick directly onto the cracks, then gently press the pieces together.
Important: Tighten screws only by hand, maybe a quarter turn at the end; otherwise, the wood can be stressed too much. Let the glued parts rest for at least 24 hours before testing the load.
Good luck, it will surely turn out well!
Important: Tighten screws only by hand, maybe a quarter turn at the end; otherwise, the wood can be stressed too much. Let the glued parts rest for at least 24 hours before testing the load.
Good luck, it will surely turn out well!
Nuti51 schrieb:
Which glue would you recommend exactly? The recommendation to use PUR adhesive is good. Alternatively, traditional Ponal wood glue also works very reliably.labar43 schrieb:
Tighten screws only until they are snug I want to emphasize this point again. Too much torque is more likely to cause damage than improve stability.Additionally, before assembly, you can stick small cork or foam rubber strips behind the joints to provide some cushioning and compensate for unevenness.
One more tip: Check if all the adjustable feet under the KALLAX are properly resting on the floor. Sometimes an uneven surface can cause the shelving unit to wobble, even if the screws are tight.
It’s also normal to occasionally retighten all the connections after the initial assembly – don’t apply too much force to any single screw.
If the shelving unit is very old, it might simply be worn out; in that case, reinforcement with angle brackets or additional screws is the only solution.
It’s also normal to occasionally retighten all the connections after the initial assembly – don’t apply too much force to any single screw.
If the shelving unit is very old, it might simply be worn out; in that case, reinforcement with angle brackets or additional screws is the only solution.
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