ᐅ Why do some screws in BILLY shelves not stay tight?

Why do some screws in Billy shelves not hold firmly, even when tightened with considerable force? I’ve noticed several times that especially the small screws often don’t get a proper grip and loosen easily, even though everything fits correctly in the designated spots. Could this be due to the quality of the wood material, the thread depth of the screws, or a design feature that makes tightening difficult? It would be helpful if someone has a well-informed explanation, as I want to use the shelf stably without having to retighten it constantly.

Usually, it is due to the particle board material being too soft to hold screws properly. One option is to use small dowels or wood glue before screwing in to improve the grip.

The cause is often the combination of the type of wood-based panel used and the kind of screws. BILLY shelves are usually made from particleboard with a thin melamine coating, which has low load-bearing capacity. Screws in such materials do not hold well because the particleboard particles shift under pressure and the threads strip out. Proper tightening of the screws is important, but if the thread engagement depth in the material is too shallow, a secure hold cannot be achieved.

nonere schrieb:
Particleboard shifts under pressure and the threads strip out.

This is an important point. I recommend pre-drilling at critical areas and inserting small wooden dowels into the back edges where there is a loose fit. This significantly improves holding strength and prevents long-term loosening.

If you have individual screws that do not hold properly, it can help to use a slightly thicker screw or a longer one, provided there is enough space.

Alternatively, it can sometimes help to insert the screws at a slight angle. This can provide more stability, especially with BILLY, where the holes are already pre-drilled.