ᐅ Thinning the Back Panel of a Billy Shelf Unit – Why and How?
Created on: 19 Dec 2021 08:37
G
gregory41
Hello everyone, I am currently working on thinning the back panel of my IKEA Billy bookshelf to reduce weight and improve stability when mounting it on the wall. My specific question is: Why does it make sense to thin the back panel of a Billy bookshelf, and what are the best methods to do this without compromising stability or affecting the appearance of the shelf? I am particularly interested in practical experiences, but also theoretical advice on materials and techniques. Thanks in advance!
F
FAVALERIE920 Dec 2021 09:38It is important not to overdo it when thinning out. Especially the corners and edges that hold the shelf together should remain intact. Battens can easily be attached inside using wood glue or small screws, which makes the construction significantly more stable.
G
gregory4121 Dec 2021 12:56Jaime schrieb:
If you reinforce the back panel in several places or support it with small battens, the stability can be well maintained even when thinning it down. Thanks, that sounds very reasonable! I will probably make small cutouts step by step and glue battens inside for stabilization. floga schrieb:
Sometimes you feel uncertain because the shelf isn’t actually designed for such modifications. That’s a good point, I don’t want to risk any immediate damage but still want a meaningful modification. I will report back once I have gathered some initial experience.