Discuss My Billy bookcase problem on IKEAFANS.com. We're Personalizing the IKEA Experience. My Billy bookcase problem - Post here about your modification project details or questions. Share ideas and take some away - mods are cool!.
When I was at IKEA last week (I live many, many hours away), I bought 3 billy bookcases, 1 80cm unit, and 2 40cm units. the 80cm unit is to be put in the middle, and the smaller ones on the side. I wasn't at home, so I was just guessing how it would fit. Turns out that it's exactly the length I need for one of my walls, which is 63 inches (sorry for mixing metric and imperial). I also bought 3 extension units so that they would be as tall as possible.
I, of course, put the extension pieces together 1st, as it would be the easiest. As this was quite easy, I continued and built the other 3 bookcases, all in one evening. Then I start to move them to where they are supposed to be going, and of course, they ain't gonna fit. My ceiling is too low.
By less than an inch. But if I could chop an inch off the bottom it would fit. Just. Good idea? Bad idea? They would look totally built-in, however, I realize the problem.
How to cut these when they are already put together? Perhaps not possible, would have to take apart (which is a pain because I nailed in the backs). Also if I did get them the exact height (or a little less), how would I stand them up in the room? And how would I connect them to the wall?
These questions have me thinking I'm screwed and won't be able to use the extensions, but it's a pain because I can't really return them now, and I would have wasted the money. Any ideas???
for less than an inch....
I'd be tempted to cut off the bottom of the *extensions*
If it works out as I'm imagining... you could raise the large cases, then slide the shortened extensions on top. Attach them to the cases with some other fastener - mending plates or etc.
In this way you could adjust the height as necessary as you work.
Ah! this will probably work, much better than my idea. Instead of screwing up the big bookcases, my only chance is to ruin the extensions. This would make it easy for me to also install the included support brackets to the wall BEFORE i slide in the cut extensions. I am going to look into that. I wonder if I could make these cuts without a table saw...or maybe I should find someone who has one....
I wholeheartedly agree with RubrikGreen - you might be able to rent a table saw from a local big box store if you have one nearby. A jigsaw and straightedge clamped to the piece might work as well. Definitely tape the area you are going to cut ahead of time to help protect the finish.
Good luck! I'm sure that we'd all LOVE to see pictures of a "built-in" Billy setup!
What a brilliant idea! I have the billy and I have maybe 10-12" or so to the ceiling and would love to go all the way up, but the extension is too tall. I may have to look at it next time I go and see how easy it would be to cut down and still attach. I'd love to have it go all the way up!
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