á What is the correct installation method for the MALM drawer base panel?
Created on: 9 Mar 2020 08:17
T
Tolika
Hello everyone, I am currently at the stage of assembling our Malm chest of drawers and am unsure about the correct way to install the drawer base panel. The instructions are a bit brief, especially regarding the alignment and securing of the panel, since it is important that the panel later supports the drawer bottom firmly and does not cause any issues when pulling out the drawer. What is the proper method for mounting the MALM drawer base panel, particularly concerning the positioning of the base panel and the ideal type of fastening? Are there any details to pay special attention to, such as specific screws, spacing, or a particular order of steps? Any help would be greatly appreciated!
I admit, that was a bit of a puzzle for me at first too đ
. Just position the base plate so that it fits exactly under the drawer. Donât tighten the screws all at once; instead, tighten them little by little, like shaking a friendâs handâfirm, but not too tight. This also prevents warping. And always align it neatly in the center, otherwise youâll have trouble sliding the drawer 🙂
Thank you for the detailed advice. One final question about the sequence: Does it make a difference whether I first loosely fasten all the points and then tighten them later, or if I fully tighten each screw right away?
Has anyone experienced issues with drawer installation because the base plate was not mounted correctly?
Has anyone experienced issues with drawer installation because the base plate was not mounted correctly?
Hello Tolika,
I had the same issue with the Malm drawer; the panel was not mounted completely flat. The drawer was difficult to open and tilted slightly. What helped me was to initially tighten all the screws only lightly, so the panel could still be adjusted. Then I aligned it properly and only after that tightened all the screws evenly.
Another tip: Check before assembly that all screws are the correct length. Screws that are too long can damage or even penetrate the base panel.
This method completely solved the problem for me. Good luck!
I had the same issue with the Malm drawer; the panel was not mounted completely flat. The drawer was difficult to open and tilted slightly. What helped me was to initially tighten all the screws only lightly, so the panel could still be adjusted. Then I aligned it properly and only after that tightened all the screws evenly.
Another tip: Check before assembly that all screws are the correct length. Screws that are too long can damage or even penetrate the base panel.
This method completely solved the problem for me. Good luck!
FLONE41 schrieb:
Initially tighten all screws only lightly, so the panel can still be moved slightly. That sounds really sensible, as it allows you to properly align the base plate before everything is fixed in place.Thanks, I will do it that way. Does anyone have any other tips regarding the type of screws or specific tools? Are there any MALM specialists here who do this regularly?
Tolika, I actually recommend using a torque wrench if available, especially when working with laminated wood, as it helps a lot.
The standard screws that IKEA provides are perfectly fine; these are usually combined particleboard screws with coarse threads. The only important thing is that the screws are not too long, otherwise they will push through the panel.
In terms of tools, a manual hand drill or a good cordless screwdriver with the torque set low is ideal.
Summary:
- Do not overtighten the screws
- Pre-drilling is usually not necessary for the MALM base panel, as the holes are mostly pre-made
- Slightly tighten all screws, align, then fully tighten
Good luck!
The standard screws that IKEA provides are perfectly fine; these are usually combined particleboard screws with coarse threads. The only important thing is that the screws are not too long, otherwise they will push through the panel.
In terms of tools, a manual hand drill or a good cordless screwdriver with the torque set low is ideal.
Summary:
- Do not overtighten the screws
- Pre-drilling is usually not necessary for the MALM base panel, as the holes are mostly pre-made
- Slightly tighten all screws, align, then fully tighten
Good luck!
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