ᐅ Why don’t the shelves fit properly in my BILLY bookcase?

Created on: 13 Dec 2021 17:36
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Sin_je
Hello everyone, I recently bought a Billy bookshelf from IKEA and wanted to install the shelves, but somehow they don’t fit properly into the designated brackets. The shelves either sit too loosely or are stuck in some places, so they can’t be placed exactly as intended. I have checked the measurements several times, and the holes all look evenly spaced, but the problem remains. Does anyone have any idea what might be causing this? Could it be the material, the manufacturing, or perhaps a step in the assembly process that I missed? I would really appreciate any advice.
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zarJody68
14 Dec 2021 12:37
From my experience: when shelf boards do not fit properly, the most common cause is slight warping of the shelf sides or uneven drill holes around the brackets.

A practical tip: use a spirit level to ensure the shelf is level and straight, even on uneven floors. Then check the individual drill holes for small burrs or adhesive residues that may prevent the plastic brackets from fitting correctly.

If the shelf is new, there may be a possibility to get replacement parts from the retailer. IKEA also offers replacement brackets.

Summary: Check the structure, levelness, drill holes, brackets, and consider replacement parts.
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flo-Theres
14 Dec 2021 14:49
I would like to add a small detail:

The fact that shelf boards have minimal manufacturing tolerances is often overlooked. During installation, it can help to place the brackets slightly lower or higher (if the holes allow for multiple positions).

Additionally, it is worthwhile to clean the holes and edges, removing dust or production residues. Sometimes these minor defects are the cause.

From my experience: tiny adjustments make the difference, and then the shelf fits perfectly.