64
votes
How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?
Swap their positions.
Place the bookcases so that they lean into each other instead of away from each other. This will eliminate the gap between the tops.
Bookcase contents are usually quite heavy....
- 14.2k
63
votes
Accepted
Why don't bookshelves come with wall mounting screws included?
From the linked assembly instructions:
Screw(s) and plug(s) for the wall are not included. Assess the
suitability of the wall to ensure that it will withstand the forces
generated. Use screw(s) and ...
- 739
51
votes
Accepted
Should I tilt my DIY self-standing bookshelf backwards to prevent it falling down?
Use Screws Anyway
If it was me, I would quietly ignore "I am not allowed to secure it using screws in the wall." We are talking about a couple of screws here, which would leave ~ 1/4" ...
39
votes
Accepted
Make a built-in desk level with uneven floor, or true level
1/2" isn't bad. I'd make it true level. You'd never install cabinets out of level I don't see why you'd make your built-in desk follow the floor.
- 13.4k
38
votes
Accepted
How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?
Thanks everyone; I figured it out and came back here to update my post and noticed that Michael Karas said the same thing I realized (although it was a comment, so I couldn't mark it as the correct ...
- 753
35
votes
How can I fix this gap between bookcases I made?
You don't have to buy or get a framing square : just measure the diagonals... That will tell you if either or both units are out of square.
If they are both ok, then look to the floor - small change ...
- 26.2k
25
votes
Accepted
What are these plastic rods and crimps under my couch cushion and can they be replaced?
Those are called stay wires, and they can be replaced.
When a person sits on the couch, a certain number of the zig-zag springs will be directly underneath them. The stay wires link the springs ...
- 406
24
votes
Accepted
Painted desk is still tacky after two months
Old paint, thick layers, cold or humid work area / storage all contribute to this problem. This also extends the drying time between layer application, meaning that even 24 hrs might not have been ...
- 15.8k
23
votes
Disassembling IKEA furniture—how can I deal with broken dowels?
There are several techniques.
Locking pliers gripped to the dowel (perpendicular) and hammer on the locking pliers to pull the dowel out of the material.
pre-drill the dowel slightly smaller than the ...
- 13.4k
22
votes
Accepted
What is the purpose of these small unaligned studs for building a precut chest of drawers?
These are clips that prevent the thin material that is slid into the groove from coming out and provides more support for the panel and to prevent racking.
The thin plastic goes in the groove behind ...
- 7,420
19
votes
Should I tilt my DIY self-standing bookshelf backwards to prevent it falling down?
I haven't built anything into a recess like you describe so this is conjecture.
If you're fitting it into a recess and it is encased on all 5 sides (ceiling, floor, left side, right side, back wall), ...
- 291
18
votes
Asbestos in old furniture adhesive?
As I've posted before, the risks of asbestos exposure on a very infrequent basis in a residential setting are highly over-blown. The real risks were for construction workers (pipe insulators, HVAC ...
- 23.1k
18
votes
How can I hang things on a freestanding stud wall without it tipping over?
You could simply add a couple of triangular pieces of wood at the bottom next to the amplifiers.
- 1,413
17
votes
Should I tilt my DIY self-standing bookshelf backwards to prevent it falling down?
It is impossible for the bookshelf to rotate forwards and crush anyone, child or not, the way you have drawn it. For it to fall on someone (who pulled on it, or climbed it) it would have to rotate ...
- 431
16
votes
Why don't bookshelves come with wall mounting screws included?
While they are 100% sure what type and size of fastener is required for assembling the product, they have no control over the type of wall/support you are installing/fastening the product to (concrete,...
- 3,362
16
votes
What is name of these furniture wheels?
It is a six wheel caster.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=six+wheel+caster&iax=images&ia=images
image from indiamart.com
- 2,750
15
votes
Make a built-in desk level with uneven floor, or true level
Go with true level wherever you can, and in this case it's probably warranted too. If levelling the desk poses no optical distractions, then go ahead.
But there are cases where it might be better not ...
- 15.8k
15
votes
How can I hang things on a freestanding stud wall without it tipping over?
Another option (should be a comment but comments don't allow pictures):
https://www.guitarstorage.com/
- 6,188
14
votes
Accepted
What does code say about powered semi-permanent furniture?
Do you need actual outlets? Chargers and lights can both be run off of USB, and a USB hub+extension cables doesn't even involve real wiring. It also works in both 120V and 240V countries with just a ...
- 2,492
14
votes
Disassembling IKEA furniture—how can I deal with broken dowels?
All of the other answers provided great solutions to your problem so I just want to address this thought:
If the dowels were metal they'd prob be a lot harder to break
Right, they wouldn't break. ...
- 16.5k
14
votes
Accepted
Knob removal on dresser
A screw through the drawer and into the knob is the only way I've ever seen this done. The knob was probably installed before the finish was completely dried and firmly stuck to the wood. Work it back ...
- 78.7k
12
votes
What type of black metal can be used as furniture hardware?
What's in the photo is painted.
Any pipe you use will require surface preparation for paint to last a long time and not chip off easily.
Galvanized pipe will require either the galvanizing to be ...
11
votes
How to put 5/8" oak dowels into holes which are just barely the right size?
Some 1/2" drills will allow the chuck to open to 5/8". If you can fit a dowel in the chuck, clamp it in the chuck, touch it to a file while the drill is running. Use the drill as a low tech lathe. ...
- 11.2k
11
votes
Accepted
two-part fastener for right-angle wood connections
Good question! These aree common on DIY furniture.
It's a cross-dowel and bolt. One commercial name is a Veritas Knock-Down Fastener. A similar device, with a head to keep it level with a surface, is ...
- 5,856
11
votes
Disassembling IKEA furniture—how can I deal with broken dowels?
First of all, for any IKEA fans out there, this should not be taken as a strike against IKEA. Many different brands of flat pack/assemble it yourself furniture have the same issues.
Glue
No, glue ...
11
votes
Painting a white Ikea desk to an oak colour?
White Ikea is almost certainly white melamine. That surface will have to be sanded to have any hope of paint sticking.
It's possible to achieve an "Oak" faux finish by painting, (sometimes ...
- 201k
10
votes
Disassemble IKEA Godmorgon drawer
I have had and solved this problem. There are three wood dowels on each side between those cam lock screws. You must cut them. When you do, you will be able to tilt the side piece in order to extract ...
- 109
10
votes
Create closed loop with threaded pipe
The link shows a hidden trick. The front section and the rear sections are built separately, there are no closed loops in each piece. Then the short horizontal pieces are cut in half and screwed into ...
- 1,985
9
votes
Accepted
What is the name of this combination of screw and rotating metal piece that locks it?
That would be the cam lock nut and cam screw fastener.
They are commonly found in DIY assembly products sold by various retailers including IKEA. According to a recent post I've read IKEA may be ...
- 206
9
votes
Disassembling IKEA furniture—how can I deal with broken dowels?
"Metal Dowels" are quite easy to come by...
...if you shop the right places.
Look for spring dowel pins and ignore the results that don't look mostly like this.
They come in many sizes. You'...
- 201k
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