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SANCASPER15 Jan 2023 09:37Hello everyone,
I am currently dealing with a recurring issue that I often encounter when assembling furniture and other structures: Why do some Malm screws (these typical furniture screws commonly found with Ikea and similar brands) always come loose, even when I tighten them with the correct torque?
I understand that factors such as material properties, installation conditions, and screw type are relevant, but it seems that the connection holds less firmly with some Malm screws than with others, even though they are used in the same way.
Could it be due to the thread depth, the material of the furniture piece, or incorrect assembly?
I would appreciate any tips, especially if you know the physical or mechanical reasons why these screws often don’t stay tight.
I am currently dealing with a recurring issue that I often encounter when assembling furniture and other structures: Why do some Malm screws (these typical furniture screws commonly found with Ikea and similar brands) always come loose, even when I tighten them with the correct torque?
I understand that factors such as material properties, installation conditions, and screw type are relevant, but it seems that the connection holds less firmly with some Malm screws than with others, even though they are used in the same way.
Could it be due to the thread depth, the material of the furniture piece, or incorrect assembly?
I would appreciate any tips, especially if you know the physical or mechanical reasons why these screws often don’t stay tight.
The main cause of Malm screws loosening is often the material at the screwing point. Chipboard and MDF are softer and have lower holding strength compared to solid wood.
The thread of the Malm screw is designed for thinner materials, but if the screw is repeatedly removed and reinserted, the material cracks and the grip weakens significantly.
Drilling a pilot hole of the appropriate diameter and carefully screwing in the screw can help. Using screws with a larger thread diameter may also be beneficial.
In some cases, a wall plug or a metal sleeve is necessary to prevent the screw from loosening constantly.
The thread of the Malm screw is designed for thinner materials, but if the screw is repeatedly removed and reinserted, the material cracks and the grip weakens significantly.
Drilling a pilot hole of the appropriate diameter and carefully screwing in the screw can help. Using screws with a larger thread diameter may also be beneficial.
In some cases, a wall plug or a metal sleeve is necessary to prevent the screw from loosening constantly.
If the screw remains loose despite tightening, there are usually two main reasons: incorrect torque or material fatigue.
For furniture, you should not exceed the recommended torque, as this can cause the wood to split. If the screw is loosened too often, the wood loses its structural integrity.
For furniture, you should not exceed the recommended torque, as this can cause the wood to split. If the screw is loosened too often, the wood loses its structural integrity.
There are important mechanical factors that contribute to the loosening of Malm screws:
1. Material fatigue: Particleboard and MDF are porous; repeated screwing and unscrewing reduces the strength of the threads.
2. Extraction force and vibration: Furniture that is moved or subjected to load can generate vibrations that cause screws to loosen on their own.
3. Thread form and size: Malm screws are often self-tapping and do not have fine threads, resulting in less holding power compared to metric screws.
4. Fit of the holes: If the drilled hole is too large, the screw loses its grip.
Many users underestimate the importance of using the correct tools and only installing screws once when possible, as well as applying additional securing measures such as threadlocker or washers if necessary.
1. Material fatigue: Particleboard and MDF are porous; repeated screwing and unscrewing reduces the strength of the threads.
2. Extraction force and vibration: Furniture that is moved or subjected to load can generate vibrations that cause screws to loosen on their own.
3. Thread form and size: Malm screws are often self-tapping and do not have fine threads, resulting in less holding power compared to metric screws.
4. Fit of the holes: If the drilled hole is too large, the screw loses its grip.
Many users underestimate the importance of using the correct tools and only installing screws once when possible, as well as applying additional securing measures such as threadlocker or washers if necessary.
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SANCASPER16 Jan 2023 08:14PULAU schrieb:
A solution is to pre-drill a hole with the appropriate diameter and then carefully screw in.That sounds reasonable, but how exactly should the pre-drilling be sized? I’ve heard that the hole should be slightly smaller than the screw diameter so the threads can grip the material.
Does anyone have specific values for pre-drilling when using Malm screws? Are there differences depending on the material (chipboard vs. solid wood)?
Blavin schrieb:
Many users underestimate the necessity of using screws with the right tools and ideally only onceAre there any recommended tools or torque settings to avoid damaging the screw? I only have a common cordless drill, and I can’t really feel the exact tightening force when driving the screw.
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