How to assemble flat-pack furniture
To assemble flat-pack furniture, open the box on a soft floor, check every part against the list before you start, sort the screws and dowels into cups, and read the whole booklet through once. Build loosely, leaving screws a turn short until the frame is square, then tighten. Tall pieces get anchored to the wall with the anti-tip kit.
About 20 minutes to learnEveryday skill
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How to do it
- Cut the box open along its seams and lay the panels on a rug or the flattened box so they do not scratch.
- Count every panel and hardware bag against the parts list, and stop to request anything missing before you begin.
- Sort the fittings into cups or a muffin tin, labeled with their letters from the booklet.
- Read every step once before starting, noting which way round the finished edges face.
- Drive screws and cam locks by hand or with a drill on its lowest clutch setting.
- Leave screws a turn loose until the frame is assembled, then square it and tighten everything.
- Nail the thin back panel on last, which squares the frame.
- Fit the supplied anti-tip strap and anchor tall pieces into a stud.
Common mistakes
- Throwing out the booklet or spare parts, which you need to move or repair it later.
- Overtightening with a drill and stripping the particleboard.
- Installing a panel with its unfinished edge facing out.
- Skipping the wall anchor on a tall bookcase or dresser.
Quick self-check
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Teach this to someone
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Teach: How to assemble flat-pack furniture
What to say
To assemble flat-pack furniture, open the box on a soft floor, check every part against the list before you start, sort the screws and dowels into cups, and read the whole booklet through once. Build loosely, leaving screws a turn short until the frame is square, then tighten. Tall pieces get anchored to the wall with the anti-tip kit.
What to show, in order
- Cut the box open along its seams and lay the panels on a rug or the flattened box so they do not scratch.
- Count every panel and hardware bag against the parts list, and stop to request anything missing before you begin.
- Sort the fittings into cups or a muffin tin, labeled with their letters from the booklet.
- Read every step once before starting, noting which way round the finished edges face.
- Drive screws and cam locks by hand or with a drill on its lowest clutch setting.
- Leave screws a turn loose until the frame is assembled, then square it and tighten everything.
- Nail the thin back panel on last, which squares the frame.
- Fit the supplied anti-tip strap and anchor tall pieces into a stud.
The check question
Ask: What do you do before the first step?
Related skills
- How to use a drill and pick the right bit
- How to childproof your home
- How to use a socket wrench and torque wrench
- Every skill in Home Fixes
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