ᐅ Which screws provide the most durable assembly for IKEA BESTA units?

Created on: 13 Jun 2019 08:47
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blafar52
Hello everyone,

I am currently working on assembling my new IKEA Besta system and want to optimize the durability of the construction as much as possible. I have a question: What type of screws provide the strongest and most long-lasting connection when assembling IKEA Besta?

Specifically, I am interested in factors such as material quality, thread type, length, and diameter of the screws. Should the original screws be replaced or supplemented with other types to improve stability? Are there any experiences with particular screw types that perform better than the ones supplied?

Additionally, any tips on how to properly tighten the screws to avoid damage to the materials while still achieving a secure and durable connection would be helpful.

I appreciate any recommendations and experiences, as I want to find the most durable solution that won’t become loose or unstable after a short time.
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noge58
14 Jun 2019 08:12
Hey blafar52,

I really like your question because the durability of IKEA furniture is often underestimated!

Some time ago, I upgraded the Besta system myself and I can say: thicker, high-quality screws are truly invaluable! I used black phosphate-coated 5x60 mm (0.2x2.4 inch) screws – they hold much better and look more premium too. ?

Also: always pre-drill carefully, otherwise the particleboard can easily crack, which could ruin everything. And don’t worry too much about the torque; it’s better to tighten screws twice than to risk damaging everything right away.

I’m very happy with the result – my Besta has had zero looseness since, and it holds even heavy loads.

Good luck!
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Jonna
14 Jun 2019 14:20
To ensure the IKEA BESTA assembly is as durable as possible, the following screws should be used:

- Screws made of galvanized steel or stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
- Coarse-threaded chipboard screws to provide optimal grip in particleboard.
- Screw length: 4–5 mm (about 0.15–0.2 inches) longer than the original screws, to achieve greater penetration and stability.

When tightening, be careful not to apply excessive force to avoid damaging the material. Using a torque wrench or a cordless drill with a torque limiter is recommended.

Additionally, I suggest reinforcing the joints with appropriate dowels or connectors if higher loads are expected.
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meGreg
15 Jun 2019 09:54
noge58 schrieb:
I used black phosphated 5x60 mm (0.2x2.4 inches) screws – they hold much better and also look quite refined.

I agree with that! Black phosphating is often an underrated option for furniture because it protects the surface and makes nailing easier.

I would also recommend using an appropriate torque wrench when installing the screws, especially with particle boards. This helps prevent the screws from being driven too deep and making the furniture unstable.

What I particularly like about black phosphated screws is that their color matches quite well with the darker versions of BESTA, so it also looks nice visually if any screws are visible. 😉