ᐅ Which assembly tools are unnecessary when building IKEA Platsa?

Hello everyone,

I am currently working on assembling the IKEA Platsa system and wondering which assembly tools are truly necessary and which might be superfluous. IKEA often includes quite a few accessories, but some of them seem more like gimmicks or unnecessary for the actual assembly.

Specifically, I am interested in knowing: Which tools do you consider dispensable when assembling Platsa furniture?

- Which tools can safely be left out without compromising the assembly?
- Are there tools that are more about convenience than necessity?
- Or perhaps tools provided by IKEA that are better replaced by higher-quality alternatives?

I look forward to your experiences and tips to be better prepared next time and avoid carrying unnecessary items.

Thanks in advance!

Hello budalo,

I can understand your question well. IKEA includes some tools with Platsa, mainly the typical Allen key and sometimes a small screwdriver. Here is my experience:

- The included Allen key is often sufficient but of rather basic quality. If you assemble furniture frequently, it’s worth having your own solid collection of Allen keys that are more ergonomic. However, this is not absolutely necessary.
- The small screwdriver that IKEA provides can be skipped if you already have a good Phillips screwdriver. The IKEA screwdriver is more of an emergency tool.
- For Platsa, I have hardly seen any other IKEA tools, except possibly a small hammer for dowels. You can completely skip this if you have your own hammer.

In short, the practical use of the supplied tools is mainly as a backup in case you don’t have anything at home. You can safely consider many of them unnecessary if you already have a basic tool set.

I hope this helps you!

Hey everyone,

In my opinion, when assembling Platsa, patience and coffee will get you further than any high-tech tools most of the time 😄.

benon schrieb:
You can easily skip the small screwdriver that comes with IKEA if you have your own good Phillips screwdriver.

Exactly! You can definitely leave that little screwdriver in the drawer. If you have even a bit of your own tools at home, using the included one will more likely take away the fun than help.

Also, I suspect some people keep the included tools almost like souvenirs – kind of like, “Look, I have my own IKEA screwdriver!” 😎

So for me, most of the IKEA tools for Platsa assembly are nice to have but not essential. Your own ergonomic tools are really the better choice, especially if you’re not aiming for a super fast build.

Good luck and don’t get discouraged!

Regarding the assembly tools for the IKEA Platsa system, I would like to provide a structured summary:

- IKEA typically includes mainly hex keys (Allen wrenches), some screwdrivers, and possibly a small hammer for wooden dowels.

- The hex key provided is usually sufficient for tightening screws. However, its shape is not ergonomic, and longer, better-gripping alternatives significantly improve efficiency during repeated assembly tasks.

- The included Phillips screwdriver is often very small and not suitable for extensive screwing. A robust, personally-owned tool is recommended.

- The hammer is only necessary when wooden dowels are used. In modern Platsa furniture, this is often not the case, so the hammer can frequently be omitted.

- Other tools such as a spirit level, drill, or cordless screwdriver are not included in the IKEA package and are usually not strictly required for Platsa but can be generally helpful.

Conclusion: The included tools may be adequate for occasional assembly, but for repeated or more efficient work, using your own high-quality tools is advisable. In particular, the small screwdriver and hammer can be considered optional depending on the assembly.

I hope this summary helps you plan your build.

Good morning everyone,

From my own experience, it can be really frustrating to manage with the supplied tools if you’re not a professional or don’t already have a good tool set.

budalo schrieb:
Which tools can safely be left out without affecting the assembly?

In my opinion, that is the most important question. Why keep tools that only take up space and don’t actually simplify the assembly? For me, the small IKEA Allen key was mostly unnecessary – my own version fits better in the hand and allows for more precise tightening.

The supplied Phillips screwdriver felt more like a placebo because it was so tiny and awkward to use. I prefer to prepare with my regular screwdriver.

I’d be interested to hear if anyone has had problems when leaving out an important tool. That way, we can get a good idea of what absolutely must not be missing.

Thanks for the contributions so far; they are encouraging even if you’re not very experienced!

Hey everyone!

Wow, this really reminds me how important it is to have the right tools on hand! My advice for anyone assembling the Platsa:

- Definitely get a good, ergonomic hex key (Allen key) or a suitable set.
- Leave the small IKEA screwdriver in the box—nobody really needs it ☺️.

What’s really enjoyable is when everything goes quickly and smoothly, and having your own tools is worth their weight in gold!

I was super happy during my last assembly when I could use my cordless drill, even though it’s not part of the IKEA standard—but the torque and the right tool just make such a difference!

So, invest a bit more in your tools, and the assembly can actually be fun! Good luck, and if anyone needs some motivational tips, just ask!