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So I just bought a few billy book shelfs, and have lined them side by side on the wall and they are not lined up straight.
Are there some screw/bolt parts that I can get to screw these book shelfs together? Anyone have experience?
You can use the IKEA connect sleeves, or you can use 1 1/4" drywall or other wood type screws screws. The screws have the advantages of not requiring any pre-drilling, and of laying level with the surface of the frame when tightened, so as to allow for easier hiding.
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Just taking my inner IKEA geek out for a walk.
These work very well. If you cant get some from the returns department your local hardware store will probably have something similar.
That's exactly what I was looking for! I used to have some wardrobes that came with those.
What are they called? Do I just goto the return area and ask for them?
You can use the IKEA connect sleeves, or you can use 1 1/4" drywall or other wood type screws screws. The screws have the advantages of not requiring any pre-drilling, and of laying level with the surface of the frame when tightened, so as to allow for easier hiding.
For the screws, I'm still screwing through the shelving holes? I take it the idea of using the 1 1/4" screw is so that it won't go through the other hole, but is it secure enough to not have a sleeve part on the other side?
For the screws, I'm still screwing through the shelving holes? I take it the idea of using the 1 1/4" screw is so that it won't go through the other hole, but is it secure enough to not have a sleeve part on the other side?
You can use the shelf holes, or any other place you want - I would recommend using other spots, because then you are screwing into the full thickness of the other side, rather than just the 3/8" or so that's left when those shelf holes are drilled. It's not a huge difference, but that's my suggestion.
The advantage to using the drywall screws is that they are essentially "self-tapping" - you can put them anywhere in your unit without to much extra effort. I generally use 6 screws for the tall bookcases - a pair front and back, about 1-2" in from the edges, just below the top fixed; another pair just above the middle fixed shelf; and the third just above the bottom shelf. If you are using doors on your units, you can hide the front screws behind the hinge plates - just mark those locations and install the screws first. Note that this won't work with the connect sleeves because they don't install level with the surface of the unit.
As for security, as long as your bookcases are level with each other, and aren't being "pulled" away from each by some force of nature, gravity or other circumstance, the screws will be fine. The other way to look at that answer is that if the bookcases are being pulled apart with enough force to cause "my" screws to become dislodged, those same forces will rip out the cam screws that you used to assemble the units from the sides, but the connect sleeves will still be in place, holding the two sides together.
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Just taking my inner IKEA geek out for a walk.
These are called Chicago bolts or screws. I've used them put through the shelving holes and I've used wood screws. I prefer the chicago bolts myself.
Quote:
Originally Posted by staufj22
That's exactly what I was looking for! I used to have some wardrobes that came with those.
What are they called? Do I just goto the return area and ask for them?
Wow...glad I registered for these forums. This was exactly the question I had.
I think I am leaning toward the "chicago bolts" solution as well. I'm thinking a few of those should do the trick.
The drywall screws solution probably won't work for me, as the floor is not level so there will be some "pulling" going on, at least until I get some shims down there. I also plan on anchoring them to the wall for extra support (they will contain CDs and the old green/grey CD shelf inserts).
How do the "chicago bolts" get installed? Do I need to drill new holes? They look a bit thicker than the pre-cut shelf holes.
You'll need to drill through the rest of the bookcase side since the shelf holes don't go all the way through. If I remember right, the chicago bolts from ikea are a very tight fit into the shelf holes so they might need to be enlarged a bit. Just make sure your drill bit is barely bigger than the shaft of the bolt and you'll be fine.
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