Hello everyone, I have a somewhat special question regarding the fastening of my BILLY shelf from IKEA. The original screws included seem quite thin and are usually made of a rather soft material. Therefore, I am considering whether different screws might be better suited to significantly improve the stability and durability of the shelf. I am particularly interested in screws that can withstand higher loads, are rust-resistant, and do not loosen or break easily. Based on your experience, which screws would you recommend as replacements for the original BILLY screws? Perhaps there are specific sizes, materials, or thread types that fit better and provide a more robust connection? Tips on the screw head would also be appreciated, as it needs to fit into the pre-drilled holes supplied with the shelf. I look forward to practical advice, experiences, and recommendations. Thank you in advance!
The question of better screws than the original ones for the BILLY shelf is not as simple as it might seem at first. I have already fitted several shelves with alternative screws and learned a lot in the process. Basically, it should be noted that BILLY shelves usually use softwood or particleboard as the material, which imposes certain requirements on the screws.
If you want to reinforce the shelf, I recommend screws made of hardened steel with a full thread, as they offer better tensile strength and are less likely to tear out. Screws with a countersunk head are best, as these can be recessed flush with the shelf. The diameter should not be too large to avoid splitting the wood; usually, 4 mm to 4.5 mm (about 5/32 to 3/16 inches) is ideal. The length should also be chosen carefully—around 35 to 45 mm (about 1 3/8 to 1 3/4 inches)—to ensure sufficient grip in the panel material without coming through the back.
Additionally, I recommend zinc-plated or stainless steel screws, as they prevent rust and thus increase the durability of the connection, especially in more humid environments.
I have a few questions: What is your main goal? Are you more focused on stability under heavy load, or do you want a long-lasting solution for everyday use? And do you use the shelf in a dry environment or, for example, in humid rooms? These factors can influence the optimal screw choice.
If you want to reinforce the shelf, I recommend screws made of hardened steel with a full thread, as they offer better tensile strength and are less likely to tear out. Screws with a countersunk head are best, as these can be recessed flush with the shelf. The diameter should not be too large to avoid splitting the wood; usually, 4 mm to 4.5 mm (about 5/32 to 3/16 inches) is ideal. The length should also be chosen carefully—around 35 to 45 mm (about 1 3/8 to 1 3/4 inches)—to ensure sufficient grip in the panel material without coming through the back.
Additionally, I recommend zinc-plated or stainless steel screws, as they prevent rust and thus increase the durability of the connection, especially in more humid environments.
I have a few questions: What is your main goal? Are you more focused on stability under heavy load, or do you want a long-lasting solution for everyday use? And do you use the shelf in a dry environment or, for example, in humid rooms? These factors can influence the optimal screw choice.
Laukau5 schrieb:
If you want to reinforce the shelf, I recommend hardened steel screws with full threadingThis is an important point. For the BILLY shelf, I also recommend using stainless steel screws with a countersunk head and full threading. In particular, A2 stainless steel is very suitable due to its rust resistance and mechanical strength.
Additionally, the screw diameter should be about 4 mm (0.16 inches) to avoid weakening the board. The length should be matched to the thickness of the shelf panel; 40 mm (1.6 inches) is usually a good size for typical BILLY shelf drill holes.
A tip for the questioner: be careful not to overtighten the screws to prevent cracking the wood surface. The original screws are soft, yes, but often that slight flexibility combined with the wood can be beneficial.
Overall, in my opinion, stainless steel fully threaded screws are the best upgrade.
C
Cecilera667 Jan 2020 12:03Dopoki schrieb:
Full-thread stainless steel screws are the best upgradeI can agree with that. I always use 4x40 mm (0.16x1.57 inch) stainless steel countersunk screws; they fit well and hold securely. Haven’t had any problems with them.
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