ᐅ Which screws are more durable than the ones provided with BILLY shelves?
Created on: 8 Jun 2019 08:27
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EltekeHello everyone,
I plan to assemble some BILLY shelves, and I noticed that the screws provided often don’t seem very sturdy. My question is: which screws are more durable and better suited than the standard screws IKEA uses for BILLY shelves?
I am mainly looking for an alternative that is less prone to rust, offers better stability, and especially does not wear out or break quickly with long-term use. I would also like to know what to look for when buying screws, such as material, screw type, size, and any special coatings.
Maybe someone has experience with alternative screws that have improved the already solid construction of the shelves. Thanks in advance for your tips!
I plan to assemble some BILLY shelves, and I noticed that the screws provided often don’t seem very sturdy. My question is: which screws are more durable and better suited than the standard screws IKEA uses for BILLY shelves?
I am mainly looking for an alternative that is less prone to rust, offers better stability, and especially does not wear out or break quickly with long-term use. I would also like to know what to look for when buying screws, such as material, screw type, size, and any special coatings.
Maybe someone has experience with alternative screws that have improved the already solid construction of the shelves. Thanks in advance for your tips!
Good morning Elteke,
First of all, a clear introduction to your concern: You want to know if there are screws that are more durable than the standard IKEA fasteners for BILLY shelves – and what to consider when purchasing them. This is a very sensible question since the supplied screws are functional but not designed for maximum long-term durability.
Basically, I recommend:
1. Material: Stainless steel (grade V2A or V4A) is resistant to rust and corrosion. V4A is especially suitable for moist conditions.
2. Screw type: For BILLY shelves, chipboard screws with a countersunk head are best, as the shelves are made of particleboard. The screws should have self-drilling tips to make installation easier and reduce the risk of splitting.
3. Size: 4 x 40 mm (0.16 x 1.57 inches) screws are suitable in most cases. Longer screws may cause problems with the thin back panel, and shorter ones do not provide enough hold.
4. Screws with additional zinc coating or black phosphate finish offer better rust protection.
Tip: When buying, look for DIN 7505 standard screws, which regulate reliable chipboard screws.
Summary: A 4 x 40 mm (0.16 x 1.57 inches) chipboard screw made of stainless steel V2A with a countersunk head is usually optimal.
If you have any further questions about installation or screw selection, feel free to ask!
First of all, a clear introduction to your concern: You want to know if there are screws that are more durable than the standard IKEA fasteners for BILLY shelves – and what to consider when purchasing them. This is a very sensible question since the supplied screws are functional but not designed for maximum long-term durability.
Basically, I recommend:
1. Material: Stainless steel (grade V2A or V4A) is resistant to rust and corrosion. V4A is especially suitable for moist conditions.
2. Screw type: For BILLY shelves, chipboard screws with a countersunk head are best, as the shelves are made of particleboard. The screws should have self-drilling tips to make installation easier and reduce the risk of splitting.
3. Size: 4 x 40 mm (0.16 x 1.57 inches) screws are suitable in most cases. Longer screws may cause problems with the thin back panel, and shorter ones do not provide enough hold.
4. Screws with additional zinc coating or black phosphate finish offer better rust protection.
Tip: When buying, look for DIN 7505 standard screws, which regulate reliable chipboard screws.
Summary: A 4 x 40 mm (0.16 x 1.57 inches) chipboard screw made of stainless steel V2A with a countersunk head is usually optimal.
If you have any further questions about installation or screw selection, feel free to ask!
LAURE-TA schrieb:
Basically, I recommend stainless steel (V2A or V4A)I fully agree with that! Especially when the shelves are placed in rooms that are occasionally damp, this makes a big difference. I have personal experience with regular galvanized screws that started to rust after a few years.
Additionally, I want to mention that when changing screws, you should pay attention to the screw head. IKEA often uses Phillips (PH2), but sometimes a Torx head can make assembly easier and also provides better torque transfer, which reduces damage to the screws.
Another point is the strength of the screws. Not every stainless steel screw can handle the same load. It’s best to look for screws with a strength class of A2-70 or higher. These are sturdy enough for furniture.
If you want to invest a bit more, there are also screws with coatings such as epoxy or nylon that offer additional protection.
I hope this helps!
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praWarre698 Jun 2019 14:42Hey Elteke,
I think it’s great that you’re considering the screws carefully – you definitely don’t want to have to take the shelves apart every few years to fix rust or replace damaged screws! 🙂
What’s really helped me in practice are stainless steel screws with a Torx head. They hold very securely and can be removed without much trouble when disassembling.
I totally agree with that!
One more tip: don’t buy the screws at a hardware store, but rather order them online specifically for furniture. You can often get packs of 100, which is great value in case you need extras.
Combined with a good cordless drill/driver, this will give you a lot of long-lasting enjoyment. Good luck with your project! 😉
I think it’s great that you’re considering the screws carefully – you definitely don’t want to have to take the shelves apart every few years to fix rust or replace damaged screws! 🙂
What’s really helped me in practice are stainless steel screws with a Torx head. They hold very securely and can be removed without much trouble when disassembling.
LAURE-TA schrieb:
A 4 x 40 mm (1/8 x 1 5/8 inch) stainless steel V2A chipboard screw with a countersunk head is usually the best choice.
I totally agree with that!
One more tip: don’t buy the screws at a hardware store, but rather order them online specifically for furniture. You can often get packs of 100, which is great value in case you need extras.
Combined with a good cordless drill/driver, this will give you a lot of long-lasting enjoyment. Good luck with your project! 😉
I find the discussion very helpful so far, but one point seems to be missing: Is it really sensible to replace the screws with higher-quality ones without adjusting the entire shelf system accordingly?
That sounds technically good, but if the wood-based material of the shelves cannot handle higher loads, a higher strength class of screws might lead to a different kind of failure, for example, in the wood itself.
Furthermore, some original IKEA screws are designed to bend under excessive load to prevent misloading the overall shelf system. Higher-grade screws could therefore cause increased wear on the furniture components.
My question to everyone is: Are there practical experiences indicating that upgrading the screws is always worthwhile or only in specific cases? And are all stainless steel screws always better than the originals?
I believe such questions can only be answered by considering the entire system as a whole.
dunitan schrieb:
It’s best to look for screws with a strength class of A2-70 or higher
That sounds technically good, but if the wood-based material of the shelves cannot handle higher loads, a higher strength class of screws might lead to a different kind of failure, for example, in the wood itself.
Furthermore, some original IKEA screws are designed to bend under excessive load to prevent misloading the overall shelf system. Higher-grade screws could therefore cause increased wear on the furniture components.
My question to everyone is: Are there practical experiences indicating that upgrading the screws is always worthwhile or only in specific cases? And are all stainless steel screws always better than the originals?
I believe such questions can only be answered by considering the entire system as a whole.
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