ᐅ Which screws are best suited for Ikea Brimnes furniture?

Created on: 21 Jun 2021 18:37
L
liguklo
Hello everyone,

I recently purchased some Ikea Brimnes furniture and now I’m wondering which screws are best for assembly. It is important to me that the screws not only provide a strong connection but also hold well in the pre-drilled holes without damaging the wood or loosening over time.

Has anyone had experience with alternative screws to those supplied? What material type, size, and thread type would you recommend if the furniture might need to be disassembled later without causing too much wear to the material?

I look forward to your expertise and tips!
L
Lisele
22 Jun 2021 14:58
I initially had problems with the screws on the Brimnes because I tightened them too much, causing the material to tear in some areas.

Since then, I have been using zinc-plated steel Torx countersunk screws, 4mm diameter, 50mm (2 inches) length. I screw them in slowly with a torque limiter, which keeps everything stable.

It is important to respect the material: MDF is not solid wood and is more sensitive to excessive pressure. For me, this is the best compromise between stability and protecting the material.
T
theota
23 Jun 2021 09:21
I find it frustrating to always hear the standard response that you should just use the original screws from Ikea.

You can definitely buy better screws, such as stainless steel screws with finer threads or multipurpose wood screws.

Why? Because they distribute the pressure more evenly and make the furniture more stable. Chipboard screws often only give the appearance of holding.

For those who really want to, using special screws with a larger head diameter or even insert nuts is a good option, as these fit perfectly with modular furniture and better withstand frequent assembly and disassembly.

Just something to consider.
K
Kinbu
23 Jun 2021 10:47
theota schrieb:
You can definitely buy better screws, for example stainless steel screws with finer threads or multipurpose wood screws.

That is mostly true, but you shouldn’t just use any screw with Ikea Brimnes. MDF and particleboard have specific requirements. Threads that are too fine wouldn’t hold properly and would reduce stability.
theota schrieb:
If you really want to, use special screws with a larger head diameter or even threaded inserts

That’s a good tip, especially if you take the item apart often. Threaded inserts or so-called knock-down fittings are very practical. If you replace parts or keep joints movable, you should pay close attention to this.

Overall, I would recommend considering the material and the intended use when buying screws, but not experimenting if you are not experienced.
R
rigau
23 Jun 2021 12:32
theota schrieb:
If you really want to, use special screws with a larger head diameter or even screw-in nuts

Screw-in nuts can be practical, but they are often unnecessarily complicated for Ikea Brimnes. The included screws usually fit well enough.