Quick IKEA question

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:12

I just had an IKEA Billy bookcase delivered. It is a waist height one that I am popping into my home office. It is missing one of the wooden dowels and IKEA will send me one from Sweden but it will take 7-10 days. Is the bookcase likely to be OK if I just assemble it with the single dowel missing?

tedaC · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:14

depends where the dowel would be, 90% of the time i would say it would be fine.

I have cut up a pencil before and used as a dowel.

You can also go to ikea and pick them (and ikea tools) up for free in the furniture collection area

Kiyoshi · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:14

Where does the dowel go, how thick is it, what part of the bookcase is it supporting, what load are you expecting to put in the area where the dowel is missing, what do you mean by 'likely to be OK'.

Based on the information you have supplied, I choose... yes.

Zero Pope · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:15

One dowel? I would assume so, depending on how many it should have. If its holding the sidepanel onto the back then I would have thought one missing wouldn't be a huge issue as they are a very good fit so missing one shouldn't be an issue.

Morgoth · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:16

Do you have a magic 8 ball? This is critical in situations like this.

bitslice · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:16

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All Ikea stores keep stocks of spares, like screws and dowels, they are free so just ask.

Failing that, get a scrap of wood and carve a dowel, they are not made from special Swedish unobtainium, they are just wood.

No I wouldn't put it together without a dowel, and make sure you glue the joints properly.

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:21

bitslice said:
Notsureifserious.jpg

All Ikea stores keep stocks of spares, like screws and dowels, they are free so just ask.

Failing that, get a scrap of wood and carve a dowel, they are not made from special Swedish unobtainium, they are just wood.

No I wouldn't put it together without a dowel, and make sure you glue the joints properly.

I live a £20 train fare and a 3 hour round trip from my nearest IKEA so just popping in for a £9.99 bookcase isn't an option.

The dowel is missing from the bottom bar at the front of the bookcase.

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:22

Morgoth said:
Do you have a magic 8 ball?

Outlook is doubtful.

Kiyoshi · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:32

I think if the bookcase cost £9.99 in it's entirety, the fact you're missing 1 piece of dowelling will make little difference.

Efour · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:34

Snap a pencil and glue that in there. Unless its under a lot of pressure it will be fine.

tedaC · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:35

as i say, cut a pencil into a dowel

PhillyDee · 22 Jun 2012 at 13:57

spudbynight said:
I live a £20 train fare and a 3 hour round trip from my nearest IKEA so just popping in for a £9.99 bookcase isn't an option.

The dowel is missing from the bottom bar at the front of the bookcase.

Bottom bar? You mean the vanity piece that basically hides the gap? Leave it then, its really not important and offers no structural strength. I have 8 billy bookcases, and trust me, this will make zero difference.

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:11

PhillyDee said:
Bottom bar? You mean the vanity piece that basically hides the gap? Leave it then, its really not important and offers no structural strength. I have 8 billy bookcases, and trust me, this will make zero difference.

Yes - that bar.

This Billy Bookcase will be perfect to stick my HP Microserver in the bottom and the router on top.

Another question for people. I want to cut a hole in the backboard to feed cables out of. What is the best way for me to do this? (Assume ZERO DIY expertise or knowledge)

PhillyDee · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:22

Holesaw. You can buy a cheap set from argos that will do the job, but they are **** for cutting anything other than wood. Put it on a power drill and let rip!

antijoke · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:32

I guess you were not....well en-dowel'd.

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:33

anticonscience said:
I guess you were not....well en-dowel'd.

LOL - you win two internets!

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:34

PhillyDee said:
Holesaw. You can buy a cheap set from argos that will do the job, but they are **** for cutting anything other than wood. Put it on a power drill and let rip!

I don't have a drill - can I use this without one?

Just looked at it and it seems to be £40 or so.

Do you think this would be fine if I just left the back panel off?

dcsarge · 22 Jun 2012 at 14:55

You can cut ikea back panels with a sharp stanley knife. I have been modifying Billy bookcases to make an over bed unit and tv cabinet for my sons room. I have been cutting chunks out left right and centre to allow for sockets and cables. It worked out cheaper and quicker than using contiboard. Shame about my p.o.s jigsaw that can't keep the blade in place .

spudbynight · 22 Jun 2012 at 16:04

Cool - that I can do. Thanks guyz

Chaos · 29 Nov 2012 at 17:03

I bought a Billy Bookcase recently and it also had a dowel missing.

Also the cam screw lock parts were plastic one snapped with hardly any force, I think these used to be metal ?

What a disappointment.