ᐅ Which tools are essential for renovating an Ikea Hemnes?

Created on: 18 Nov 2021 08:37
V
Vin-bar
V
Vin-bar
18 Nov 2021 08:37
Hello everyone, I am currently planning a renovation of my Ikea Hemnes wardrobe and want to gather the right tools for the project. My question to the community: Which tools are important for renovating the Ikea Hemnes and why? I want to work as efficiently and cleanly as possible, so I am also interested in whether there are any special tools that make modifying the individual components easier or help avoid common mistakes. Thanks for any helpful tips!
N
nera59
18 Nov 2021 10:12
Hello Vin-bar,

First of all, that’s a very good question that many people have when remodeling Ikea Hemnes furniture. Here’s a structured overview of the tools that have proven useful:

- Phillips screwdriver (PH2): Essential for nearly all screws used in Ikea furniture.
- Cordless drill with a suitable PH2 bit: Saves time and makes screwing much easier, especially when many screws need to be removed or fastened.
- Rubber mallet: Ideal for gently assembling or aligning parts without causing damage.
- Allen key (usually 4 mm for Hemnes): For the special screws Ikea uses. These are often included with the parts.
- Carpenter’s square or simple try square: To precisely check if the parts are assembled at right angles.
- Fine-toothed or handsaw: If you want to make adjustments to the wooden parts.
- Sandpaper or orbital sander: For smoothing or adjusting edges.

Common mistakes: Trying to do too much manually with a screwdriver, which can lead to slippage or stripped screws. For the cordless drill, I definitely recommend setting the torque to avoid damaging the screws.

In summary: The most important tool is a good cordless drill with PH2 bits, plus some manual tools like a screwdriver and a rubber mallet. If you plan to make more modifications, saws and sanding tools will be necessary.

Good luck with your remodeling!
D
Deandre
19 Nov 2021 13:46
nera59 schrieb:
Common mistakes: Trying to do too much manually with a screwdriver, which leads to carelessness or overtightening screws.

Regarding overtightening screws, a quick note: Many people underestimate how delicate the particleboard in Ikea furniture is. Using too high a torque setting on a cordless drill can easily strip or damage the screw holes.

Therefore, I recommend:

- Write down the torque setting you want to use before starting the assembly. For Hemnes, medium settings are usually ideal.
- For sensitive areas, it’s better to use a manual screwdriver with a good grip to maintain better control.
- Additionally, small clamps or clips are helpful to hold parts in place when you don’t have enough hands.

What is often overlooked is a stable work surface. Use a workbench or a large table to safely work on all parts.

If the assembly involves modifications to the furniture, a jigsaw or multitool can be useful. But if you’re just screwing and assembling, the tools mentioned above are more than sufficient.
T
TANBLA
20 Nov 2021 09:03
In short:

- Cordless drill driver
- Phillips screwdriver (PH2)
- Rubber mallet
- Allen keys
- Carpenter’s square

This is all you really need. Everything else is optional and meant for adjustments.
N
nera59
20 Nov 2021 14:27
Deandre schrieb:
Additionally, small clamps or grips are helpful to hold parts in place when extra hands are missing.

Exactly, to add to Deandre’s point, I want to emphasize how important securing parts is. During renovations, you often only have two hands, and if the parts aren’t fixed, it’s easy to lose alignment.

Also:
- A good tape measure is an essential tool for planning and positioning.
- A spirit level is useful when realigning a cabinet.

In summary: Good preparation, sturdy tools, and ways to hold parts in place greatly increase the chances of success.