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andreas552 Jan 2024 18:43Hello everyone,
Lately, I’ve noticed when assembling Billy shelves that some screws tend to be either too loose or too tight in the shelving units. I’m wondering why this happens – is it due to the screws themselves, the material of the shelves, or possibly the way the screws are being driven in?
I have made sure to use the correct screwdriver and avoid applying too much pressure, yet this issue seems to occur quite often. When screws are too loose, the shelf becomes unstable, and when they are too tight, there is a risk of the wood splitting or the screw stripping out.
What could be the causes of this? Are there quality differences in the screws, or is it more a matter of proper technique? Or maybe it has to do with tolerances in the shelf wood?
Looking forward to your insights and experiences.
Lately, I’ve noticed when assembling Billy shelves that some screws tend to be either too loose or too tight in the shelving units. I’m wondering why this happens – is it due to the screws themselves, the material of the shelves, or possibly the way the screws are being driven in?
I have made sure to use the correct screwdriver and avoid applying too much pressure, yet this issue seems to occur quite often. When screws are too loose, the shelf becomes unstable, and when they are too tight, there is a risk of the wood splitting or the screw stripping out.
What could be the causes of this? Are there quality differences in the screws, or is it more a matter of proper technique? Or maybe it has to do with tolerances in the shelf wood?
Looking forward to your insights and experiences.
andreas55 schrieb:
Why is this the case – is it due to the screws themselves, the material of the shelf components, or perhaps the way the screws are driven in?I believe many people here are looking at the issue too one-sidedly. It’s not just about the material or the screws – I would even argue that the instructions and the supposed assembly guidelines are to blame.
Billy shelves are mass-produced, and when the instructions suggest to “tighten firmly,” it implies a fixed amount of force, which of course can vary. The screws are sometimes so thin that they simply strip or damage the wood if too much torque is applied.
andreas55 schrieb:
If the screws are too loose, the shelf is unstable, and if the screws are too tight, there is a risk of the wood splittingThis is exactly what I see as a systemic problem, entirely independent of quality. The problem lies in the lack of feedback during the assembly process. You don’t really know when “enough” is enough.
For me, the crucial question is: Why doesn’t Ikea provide standardized torque values or at least recommend using a torque wrench?
I have a more nuanced view.
In practice, the wooden parts in Billy-style shelves are usually made of particleboard with a thin laminate, which is generally sensitive to excessive screw thread stress. The screws used are standard furniture screws designed for softwood.
In my experience, the cause of screws being either too loose or too tight is a combination of material tolerances, screw quality, and assembly.
Often, the thread cut in the wood is not clean, which results in the screw either not holding well enough or damaging the thread if too much force is applied. To avoid overtightening, controlled screwing and, if necessary, pre-drilling help.
An important point here: the screws used are not intended for special tools, so a careful touch is required. Unfortunately, the wood quality in shelf materials can vary significantly, which affects how the screws behave during insertion.
In practice, the wooden parts in Billy-style shelves are usually made of particleboard with a thin laminate, which is generally sensitive to excessive screw thread stress. The screws used are standard furniture screws designed for softwood.
In my experience, the cause of screws being either too loose or too tight is a combination of material tolerances, screw quality, and assembly.
Often, the thread cut in the wood is not clean, which results in the screw either not holding well enough or damaging the thread if too much force is applied. To avoid overtightening, controlled screwing and, if necessary, pre-drilling help.
An important point here: the screws used are not intended for special tools, so a careful touch is required. Unfortunately, the wood quality in shelf materials can vary significantly, which affects how the screws behave during insertion.
The varying strength is usually due to differences in wood quality and installation.
If the screw is too loose, it is often caused by damaged threads in the wood or using screws of the wrong length.
If the screw is too tight, splitting can occur if too much force is applied or if screws are driven without pre-drilling.
My recommendation: slowly drive in the screws and stop when you feel resistance.
If the screw is too loose, it is often caused by damaged threads in the wood or using screws of the wrong length.
If the screw is too tight, splitting can occur if too much force is applied or if screws are driven without pre-drilling.
My recommendation: slowly drive in the screws and stop when you feel resistance.
GALEO4 schrieb:
Billy shelves are mass-produced, and when the instructions say to "tighten firmly," it implies a fixed torque, which of course can vary.This is a key point.
Besides the assembly, the type of wood plays a major role: it sounds obvious, but wood moves – especially particleboard can absorb moisture and pressure differently, which affects the connection.
Production variations in the screws themselves should not be underestimated either.
If I may give some advice: anyone who takes this seriously should use a torque wrench or at least tighten in a controlled manner. This ensures more consistency and prevents overtightening.
Also, screws should be driven in with a clean, properly fitting screwdriver to avoid stripping.
Without controlling the applied torque, the result is always a matter of luck.
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