Hello everyone,
I have noticed several times with my Billy shelves that the included screws seem to keep coming loose, even though I have tightened them with the correct screwdriver. I am curious to know why this happens.
Are the screws themselves of low quality, is the threading not fitting correctly, or could there be mechanical factors causing them to loosen over time?
This is frustrating because the shelves quickly feel unstable under load, even though everything is properly assembled. Does anyone have experience or solutions on how to fix this problem permanently?
Thanks in advance!
I have noticed several times with my Billy shelves that the included screws seem to keep coming loose, even though I have tightened them with the correct screwdriver. I am curious to know why this happens.
Are the screws themselves of low quality, is the threading not fitting correctly, or could there be mechanical factors causing them to loosen over time?
This is frustrating because the shelves quickly feel unstable under load, even though everything is properly assembled. Does anyone have experience or solutions on how to fix this problem permanently?
Thanks in advance!
Thank you for the input regarding the threaded inserts.
I will probably start by trying the longer screws and careful screwing. If that doesn’t help, I will take a closer look at the inserts.
One more detail: Are there differences between the screw head types? My set contains standard Phillips screws. Could another type (e.g., Torx) hold better or reduce the chance of screws coming loose?
I will probably start by trying the longer screws and careful screwing. If that doesn’t help, I will take a closer look at the inserts.
One more detail: Are there differences between the screw head types? My set contains standard Phillips screws. Could another type (e.g., Torx) hold better or reduce the chance of screws coming loose?
Lafope schrieb:
Are there differences in screw heads?Generally, the type of screw head does not affect whether the screw will come loose, as the main issue lies primarily with the thread gripping the wood.
However, Torx screws often allow more torque to be applied cleanly, and the screw head is less likely to be damaged or stripped. This means you can tighten the screw more securely and firmly.
If you plan to assemble and disassemble the shelf frequently, Torx screws can be advantageous because the screw heads tend to remain more stable.
In short, Torx screws do not directly prevent screws from coming loose, but they make assembly easier and more durable.
A quick addition regarding screw heads:
Torque transmission is better with Torx, but you need to use the correct screwdriver—it's best not to use a universal one to avoid damaging the head. Phillips is classic, but it can wear down more quickly with frequent removal.
And another tip: pre-drilling the holes helps prevent cracking and splitting, which can also cause screws to loosen. This is especially useful with engineered wood.
Torque transmission is better with Torx, but you need to use the correct screwdriver—it's best not to use a universal one to avoid damaging the head. Phillips is classic, but it can wear down more quickly with frequent removal.
And another tip: pre-drilling the holes helps prevent cracking and splitting, which can also cause screws to loosen. This is especially useful with engineered wood.