How to assemble 'flat-pack furniture.'

Hello,

I have been running a small business ( www.flatpackrescue.co.uk )assembling flat-pack-furniture and am going offer some advice on how to assemble flat-pack furniture.

But first a little history lesson:

During the early 1950’s, Swede, Gillis Lundgren couldn’t fit a table into his car, so he broke off the legs to make it fit and re-assembled it at home. This was his EUREKA moment. He took his idea of RTA (ready to assemble furniture) to his employers IKEA and the rest is history. Ikea now have around 280 stores worldwide. Some say, Ingvar Kamprad, Ikea’s owner, is richer than Bill Gates, must be doing ok then.

So, after you have measured the space and measured the space again, ordered the furniture and received delivery.……..

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Drill driver
• Phillips screwdriver
• flat head screwdriver
• hammer / mallet
• hex keys
• common sense

1. Most instructions packed with the furniture are usually very good, some of us are just a little over awed with all the detail. So, take time out to read them. In Ikea's case the instructions are all pictures and no words, so try to get familiar with each stage.

2. If the instructions suggest that another person is needed, use common sense and judge this for yourself. I've been assembling furniture for some time now and I have never needed help, even with huge quadruple wardrobes. This isn't trumpet blowing, just making a point that with a little common sense you CAN build a wardrobe single-handedly. A wardrobe is just a big empty box, most aren't that heavy.

3. If you have the space, lay everything out on the floor and study it with instructions in hand. Also make sure that you assemble the piece as near to its final location as possible; wardrobes are hard to move when fully assembled.

4. This may seem obvious but start with 'step no.1'. Many have not... "I don't need instructions, I can build this wardrobe without them.." My company is called ‘Flat Pack Rescue’ for a reason. As you methodically work through each step, you will become more familiar with the piece and start to speed up.

5. Always ensure that all cam pins, dowels etc.., are fitted correctly before tightening. I have rebuilt many poorly assembled wardrobes and chests-of-drawers because fittings are not as tight as they should be.

6. This applies to furniture with back panels. USE ALL THE NAILS PROVIDED AND HAMMER THEM IN PROPERLY. So many times I have come across back panels with two or three nails on each side. The back panel, if fitted correctly, stabilises the structure and must be fitted securely.

7. Keep concentrating. If the piece of furniture is large and time consuming then take a break.

8. Most flat-pack furniture units are provided with a strap, bracket or some other method of securing the furniture to the wall for safety reasons. Once again, use common sense here. Small items such as bedside cabinets, chests-of-drawers don’t really need fixing to a wall, unless the floors are bowed and unstable, or you have children that are climbers. Wardrobes are obviously larger and a sensible decision needs to be made here. If you are unsure then fix it to the wall following the instructions provided (contact a competent DIYer if you’re not sure how to do this) . If you think the wardrobe is sturdy enough free standing (always get a second opinion) then leave it.

9. And finally, feel free to contact me for specific advice but I hope the above has been helpful. Of course, if you live in the UK (London and Kent only) you can book a day and time for ’Flat Pack Rescue’ to assemble your furniture for you, stress free. www.flatpackrescue.co.uk