ᐅ Who has experience using the Ikea BRIMNES series as a DIY base?
Created on: 2 Sep 2019 09:07
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Tanben
Hello everyone, I am currently planning a DIY project using IKEA furniture as a base and am particularly interested in the Brimnes system. Does anyone have experience using IKEA BRIMNES as a DIY foundation, especially regarding workmanship, stability, and possible modifications? I am mainly curious about how well the materials hold up for custom alterations, whether there are any issues with structural load-bearing capacity, and which tools and techniques have proven effective. I would also appreciate hearing about creative ideas or specific challenges encountered during the conversion. Looking forward to your opinions and experiences!
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Matthewt483 Sep 2019 08:21Hello, I have used several Brimnes components for DIY projects, including a modified wall shelf. I thoroughly tested the system for load capacity and ease of processing:
- The panels are medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and hold screws well but offer limited stability under large surface loads.
- For sturdy constructions, I recommend adding extra reinforcements made of solid wood or metal.
- When drilling, always work slowly with sharp drill bits – MDF can otherwise splinter.
- When painting or varnishing, be sure to use a primer, as the surface can swell.
For creative DIY projects, the BRIMNES system is sufficiently durable if you understand its limitations.
- The panels are medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and hold screws well but offer limited stability under large surface loads.
- For sturdy constructions, I recommend adding extra reinforcements made of solid wood or metal.
- When drilling, always work slowly with sharp drill bits – MDF can otherwise splinter.
- When painting or varnishing, be sure to use a primer, as the surface can swell.
For creative DIY projects, the BRIMNES system is sufficiently durable if you understand its limitations.
Matthewt48 schrieb:
The panels are medium-density and hold screws well, but they provide only limited stability under large-area loads. Thank you for the detailed advice. Specifically: What dimensions or load limits would you recommend? I am planning a combination of BRIMNES shelves and additional elements for a media wall – so the weight is definitely a factor. Also, you mentioned primer; is a basic wood primer sufficient, or should one use special MDF primers?
Tanben schrieb:
I am planning a combination of BRIMNES shelves and additional elements for a media wall That sounds really exciting! For a media wall, I would also recommend not only focusing on the appearance but also integrating the wiring smartly – drilling a few holes and cable channels yourself is quite easy. And yes, don’t skip the primer, otherwise you’ll soon have bare boards in your living room.
reni45 schrieb:
Make sure to fasten the back panel, it greatly increases stability. A quick question: Does this apply to all BRIMNES models or mainly the larger ones? And to what extent can a reinforced back panel actually affect the maximum load capacity? I ask because back panels are often quite thin.
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