ᐅ Why do some screws get stuck in BILLY shelves?

Hello everyone, I have recently noticed that with some BILLY shelves, the screws tend to get stuck or can only be driven in with a lot of force during assembly. I’m very curious why this happens. Is it due to the quality of the screws themselves, the material of the shelf parts, or more related to how the screws fit into the pre-drilled holes? I have already tried pre-drilling the holes or using a different type of screw, but the sticking issue still occurs sometimes. Since BILLY shelves are generally known for being easy to assemble, this surprises me. Could there also be manufacturing tolerances that cause the screws to fit too tightly? I look forward to your opinions and possible solutions!

Jamming often occurs due to tight fits in the pre-drilled holes. A small suggestion: you could rework the holes with a slightly larger drill bit or lightly lubricate the screws.

Hey, I can totally understand that – you almost expect everything to go smoothly with BILLY. 😊 I think a bit of tolerance in the wood quality or slight variations in the screws can cause this issue. When screws get stuck, I usually find a small drop of oil and gently turning it clockwise and then counterclockwise helps loosen most of them 🙂 But please be careful to avoid splitting the wood or damaging the screw head. So, don’t worry – this is pretty typical and usually easy to fix!

Keoge schrieb:
Could there also be manufacturing tolerances that cause the screws to fit too tightly?

You’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ll explain it in a bit more detail:

1. Manufacturing tolerances in BILLY shelves: Yes, they exist. IKEA shelves are produced in very large quantities, so minor variations in pre-drilled holes or wood thickness are normal.

2. Material and pre-drilling: Often, the visible holes are pre-drilled, but not always deep or wide enough—especially if you use screws with a slightly thicker core diameter. This results in higher friction, causing the screws to jam.

3. Screw type and tools: Extra-hard metal screws or pointed screw heads can penetrate better. Also, you should use a suitable torque bit to avoid over-tightening.

4. Tips:
- Pre-drill screws lightly if the wood inside is hard.
- Use a screwdriver with a well-fitting bit.
- If the screw jams, turn it back slightly, then forward again.

The plate material also matters: MDF or particleboard creates different resistance than solid wood.

Summary: Screws jamming is usually a combination of tolerances, material properties, and screws used. If you pay attention to these adjustments, you can almost completely avoid it.