[RubrikGreen]

I guess the EFFEKTIV line *used to* have a half-width cabinet. It's pictured on the instructions, even.
I bought 2 "Tall" 33" wide Effectiv units and wanted a 16" half-width to go in between. Used the grey base w/ tube legs.

To make a half-width Effectiv:
Buy 2 "Low" units and 4 "Besta" tube legs; also 4 bolts (metric) for the Besta legs (can't remember thread size, but about 2" long. TOO long first time, had to return for shorter bolts as the legs wouldn't screw on all the way).

Each "low unit" has 2 "ends", a "top" and a "back".

Use 2 "ends" and 2 "tops" and 1 "back".
You'll need to drill 2 holes for the screw-posts on one side, but they're already partially drilled - it's where you stack units on top of each other. Then you can use the locking cams intended to attach the unit to the base. Really no problem.

Drill 4 large-ish holes in one "end" for the legs. Make sure the legs are set back from the edges approx. the same distance as they are on the grey base. Run the metric bolts thru, and screw on the "Besta" Legs.

NOTE: Besta Legs have grey plastic feet. Effectiv legs have black plastic feet. I swapped 2 grey feet from the front for 2 black feet from the back of a wide cabinet, so all the feet along the front are black. I don't care if there's a couple grey feet in the back. Grey feet are also a trifle wider - there's a "rim" on them. Not so on the black.

The remaining 2 "ends" were cut down by 1.5" to make shelves. I used my jigsaw, used blue-tape on the line right side and cut from the wrong side. Perfect smooth cut. These fit *extremely* tightly in the case. Be careful you don't scratch the inside of the case messing around w/positioning.

Haven't figured out what to do with the remaining "back" but I can certainly use it as a shelf for one of the wide cabinets. I might make it into a drawer front.

NB: The narrow cab. is taller than the regular cabinet, but the Besta legs are shorter. it is JUST EXACTLY the right height. The combo of "Hacked Narrow Cab. w/ Besta Legs" == "Tall Unit + Grey Base w/Legs"

Doors: I bought surface-mount 170' hinges from my lumber store (the Effecktiv hinges are maybe 110') Since the cabinet is on it's *side*, the doors would default mount sideways also. You could certainly mount them to open upwards and downwards ;^) if you wanted.

I installed the hinges and mounted the upper door swinging left. Surface-mount hinges meant no drilling big cup holes; only little screw holes. I'll mount the lower door like a "flipper" door (barrister bookcase) as soon as the special hardware arrives.

So we now have a smooth surface of wide / narrow / wide cabinets, same shape and depth. Yay.

For an absolutely perfect match, you would spray-paint the one "end" piece w/Besta feet grey to match the bases of the 2 wide units. But I didn't care that much. There -are- a lot of holes in each end. I filled most of the holes in the bottom w/ wood putty just for appearance.

- RG

[GardenOfDarwin]

Rubrik! That's brilliant! Do you have pictures? If so, I'd love to make this into an article.

Susan

[RubrikGreen]

of course I *don't* have pictures. I was busy building it!
I'll probably be able to do photos of the -finished- items.

Right now I'm all happy because my new hardware arrived and I have potential of -finishing- this puppy this weekend. BooYah!

RG

[MatNorth]

I'm thinking of trying something a little less ambitious but I think your experience can help.

I have a couple a bikes mounted vertically from the ceiling and I want to put effectiv cabinets underneath. Unfortunately with the height of my ceiling and the height of the regular effectiv cabinets it would be a bit of a squeeze to comfortably put the bikes up and down.

So my thought is to replace the EFFECTIV Legs with BESTA ones. Which I think will save me the ~1" or so which will make the difference. These were the legs I was thinking of, and I think they will make it a little more attractive too:

IKEA | Bookcases | BESTÃ…/INREDA system | BESTÃ… | Leg, adjustable

Would this be a straightforward swap?
Can the base be bought without the legs?
Are the bolts needed regular freebie spare parts?

[RubrikGreen]

Hi MatNorth -

the Effektiv base itself comes with legs and the hardware (mounting bolts) - not sold without legs. (Does come w/a big hunk of lead as a counterweight, tho' )

You might get lucky and be able to straight swap your Besta legs for the Effektiv ones - if they use the same mounting bolt size.

My hack required additional legs, so what I did was take a Besta leg to the hardware store and try metric bolts till I found the right thread size; it's certainly worth while to ask for bolts at spare parts if you need them. The adjuster feet were interchangable,.

Again - if you're lucky, it's a straight swap of legs - but I don't have personal experience with that Besta style.

Good luck! I think the Effektiv series is really nice - heavy, sturdy, a good size. I do like the style of Besta legs you're considering, too.