Hi Joe! I just put my bookcase together, it's the taller version. The bottom shelf, with the cam locks......the dowels & the metal piece that the cam lock fits onto...they won't sit proper into the side panel. It will not flatten out. I have already installed the middle shelf with the cam locks. So, now, I have a middle shelf installed, and the bottom shelf won't go into it....unless. I can remove the cam locks & screw it in, it looks like!! I am really excited to have watched this video for that reason alone. I was considering just not putting in the bottom shelf. And, using the bottom of the adjustable shelfs as the bottom, but it would look super funny. Any other ideas of how to fix that? to install that bottom shelf? Thank you, great video! updated - it's fixed! redid the dowels and tightened the cam, then the shelf went right on. Though, I can tell the cam insert space is somewhat damaged. What can I do to strengthen that bottom shelf and the corners?
I’ve got a tall one but the shelves are starting to develop gaps at least half an inch. Thing what I hate this bookcase is that it’s made from cheap particle board which chips off every now and then when you’re placing the shelves on. I’m looking for a very easy way to fix this problem. Any suggestions?
I've found some of their furniture boards are made of fragments glued together sometimes not so strongly. Fastening them according to instructions with child like strength can cause splitting where designed in fastening points are on the seems.
Any idea on how to reinforce the billy book case shelves? I’ve had it for a few months now mounted to the wall, I’ve just got sagging in the middle due to heavy books and would really like to reinforce them to prevent bowing (even worse breaking)
Things I have done to reinforce other furniture from ikea that could work for you is using some metal plates or wood that are screwed into the underside of the shelve on either the front or the back of the shelf. You still have to worry about the pegs that attach to the sides of the bookcase. You may want to secure with wood screws from the outside to help with that.
I turn the shelves around (180 degrees) every now and then. With my billy bookcases, though, even the sides bend inwards since I put some books and folders on top. Not a bookcase in the sense of "you can fill it with books (unless paperbacks). :(
I have the tall Billy and told I may not put holes on that wall. Command strips probably wouldn't come out far enough. Hate to spend $50 on Command strips & then not have them work.
I agree, command strips should be much stronger if they are advertising hang things without damaging a wall. The downside is that the tall Billy really should be secured if possible. It’s a little unstable otherwise.
Thanks for sharing Joe can you recommend if I should get the billy bookcase or kallax unit in terms of durability and stability for storage purposes Thanks for replying
Kallax is more durable for sure, ikea also makes great inserts that fit perfectly in the slots too. Billy has great attachments too but is not as durable and if you get a tall one, i recommend attaching it to the wall. Overall, the kallax is probably a solid choice overall.
I love my Kallax. It has transformed my storage. You need Kallax if you're storing heavier stuff. It's 38cm deep. I'm going to get some Billys this week for books.
the shelf is pretty narrow on the billy, most microwaves would likely hang over the side too far. each shelf and the top can support a maximum of 22.6 kg. Just make sure that the weight is distributed well.
Hi Jo. Great review! Very in depth and informative while always remaining engaging. Thank you! Quick Q: I've seen that the product description says that each shelf can hold up to 30kg. Do you think this is a fair guess? Or in your experience do the shelf tend to warp with less weight? Thank you
thank you! it is definitely possible for each shelf to hold that much. however, more weight may shorten its life (ie. sagging, particle board wear at the pins etc).
Thanks for this. If I could trouble you with a question?-Would it be better in the long term to buy the smallest 3 shelf billy bookcase and join them with joining screws? It would be more expensive but more stable and durable in the long term? THX
No problem. I would say just go for the tall billy. The new models are actually built pretty well. If you try and join two short Billy’s, it might not be that stable long term.
According to IKEA, Each shelf should be able to handle 50lbs. I would say try not to put that much weight on the shelves. Some of my viewers have mentioned that their shelves have started to bow over time due to excessive weight.
@@NotATechShow Per shelf!? That can't be right... a large bag of oil dry is only 40 lbs. Not to mention that would mean 300 lbs for the whole unit. It wouldn't last with that kind of weight.
Depends on the weight of the system. Something like a game cube or ps2 or original x box will be fine. As well as generations before that. But like a ps5. Maybe it will stress it
I have 5 I have bought over the years, I have moved across Country, the movers disassembled them and put all the screws, doweling etc together, I am having a NIGHTMARE trying to reassemble, not happy!!!!
I can’t get over how the price of these Billy Bookcases have gone up in price significantly within one year of this video post. Your screen says $49. The price today July 14th 2022 is $120. Crazy times we live in these days! 😔 Inflation sucks! Might have to repurpose a second hand shelf from FB Marketplace at this rate. Lol (laughing on the outside, crying on the inside).
I've got 2 tall Billy bookcases in my bedroom with dvds on them. I haven't fastened them to the wall and have them stood on carpet and they stand OK.
Load them up with books and you might find they're not as stable.
Great job, Joe. Very straightforward. Very helpful.
Hi Joe! I just put my bookcase together, it's the taller version. The bottom shelf, with the cam locks......the dowels & the metal piece that the cam lock fits onto...they won't sit proper into the side panel. It will not flatten out. I have already installed the middle shelf with the cam locks. So, now, I have a middle shelf installed, and the bottom shelf won't go into it....unless. I can remove the cam locks & screw it in, it looks like!! I am really excited to have watched this video for that reason alone. I was considering just not putting in the bottom shelf. And, using the bottom of the adjustable shelfs as the bottom, but it would look super funny. Any other ideas of how to fix that? to install that bottom shelf? Thank you, great video!
updated - it's fixed! redid the dowels and tightened the cam, then the shelf went right on. Though, I can tell the cam insert space is somewhat damaged. What can I do to strengthen that bottom shelf and the corners?
I’ve got a tall one but the shelves are starting to develop gaps at least half an inch. Thing what I hate this bookcase is that it’s made from cheap particle board which chips off every now and then when you’re placing the shelves on.
I’m looking for a very easy way to fix this problem. Any suggestions?
I've found some of their furniture boards are made of fragments glued together sometimes not so strongly. Fastening them according to instructions with child like strength can cause splitting where designed in fastening points are on the seems.
Any idea on how to reinforce the billy book case shelves? I’ve had it for a few months now mounted to the wall, I’ve just got sagging in the middle due to heavy books and would really like to reinforce them to prevent bowing (even worse breaking)
After they have already sagged, it is hard to fix. I believe they recommend not putting more than 50lbs on the shelves.
@@NotATechShow is there a way to prevent them from breaking or snapping?
Things I have done to reinforce other furniture from ikea that could work for you is using some metal plates or wood that are screwed into the underside of the shelve on either the front or the back of the shelf. You still have to worry about the pegs that attach to the sides of the bookcase. You may want to secure with wood screws from the outside to help with that.
@@NotATechShow thank u so much!
I turn the shelves around (180 degrees) every now and then. With my billy bookcases, though, even the sides bend inwards since I put some books and folders on top. Not a bookcase in the sense of "you can fill it with books (unless paperbacks). :(
Do you think i will need to buy some extra shelves?
I have the tall Billy and told I may not put holes on that wall. Command strips probably wouldn't come out far enough. Hate to spend $50 on Command strips & then not have them work.
I agree, command strips should be much stronger if they are advertising hang things without damaging a wall. The downside is that the tall Billy really should be secured if possible. It’s a little unstable otherwise.
Thanks for sharing Joe can you recommend if I should get the billy bookcase or kallax unit in terms of durability and stability for storage purposes Thanks for replying
Kallax is more durable for sure, ikea also makes great inserts that fit perfectly in the slots too. Billy has great attachments too but is not as durable and if you get a tall one, i recommend attaching it to the wall. Overall, the kallax is probably a solid choice overall.
I love my Kallax. It has transformed my storage. You need Kallax if you're storing heavier stuff. It's 38cm deep.
I'm going to get some Billys this week for books.
Nice collection of blackberrys :)
nice of you to notice! thank you!
Hi do you think it could support an 11.3 kg microwave oven? I wanna use it as my kitchen cabinet
the shelf is pretty narrow on the billy, most microwaves would likely hang over the side too far. each shelf and the top can support a maximum of 22.6 kg. Just make sure that the weight is distributed well.
Thanks, Joe. What is the piece behind you, against the wall under the photographs?
That is the ikea Ivar cabinet. I have a video on those as well if you go to my channel
@@NotATechShow Thanks!
Hi Jo. Great review! Very in depth and informative while always remaining engaging. Thank you!
Quick Q: I've seen that the product description says that each shelf can hold up to 30kg. Do you think this is a fair guess? Or in your experience do the shelf tend to warp with less weight? Thank you
thank you! it is definitely possible for each shelf to hold that much. however, more weight may shorten its life (ie. sagging, particle board wear at the pins etc).
@@NotATechShow Awesome. Thank you
Thanks for this. If I could trouble you with a question?-Would it be better in the long term to buy the smallest 3 shelf billy bookcase and join them with joining screws? It would be more expensive but more stable and durable in the long term? THX
No problem. I would say just go for the tall billy. The new models are actually built pretty well. If you try and join two short Billy’s, it might not be that stable long term.
@@NotATechShow Thank you very much for your response - I will keep that in mind
Can it hold a full shelf of heavy books?
According to IKEA, Each shelf should be able to handle 50lbs. I would say try not to put that much weight on the shelves. Some of my viewers have mentioned that their shelves have started to bow over time due to excessive weight.
@@NotATechShow What means “excessive weight”?! We are not talking about dumbbells, but books. Too bad that they make them so poorly :(
Hi bro, does ikea book shelves sag? And how to avoid it even loading with heavy books?
Not really actually. They are pretty tough as long as the pegs hold up. The peg holes for the shelves are the week point.
whats the weight limit for each shelf?
About 50lbs
@@NotATechShow Per shelf!? That can't be right... a large bag of oil dry is only 40 lbs. Not to mention that would mean 300 lbs for the whole unit. It wouldn't last with that kind of weight.
Nice 240sx picture on the wall
Thanks! It’s about time someone noticed. Lol
Thanks Jo, it was usefull
Would consoles be safe to put on the shelf or would they be to heavy ?
Depends on the weight of the system. Something like a game cube or ps2 or original x box will be fine. As well as generations before that. But like a ps5. Maybe it will stress it
I have 5 I have bought over the years, I have moved across
Country, the movers disassembled them and put all the screws, doweling etc together, I am having a NIGHTMARE trying to reassemble, not happy!!!!
I can’t get over how the price of these Billy Bookcases have gone up in price significantly within one year of this video post. Your screen says $49. The price today July 14th 2022 is $120. Crazy times we live in these days! 😔 Inflation sucks! Might have to repurpose a second hand shelf from FB Marketplace at this rate. Lol (laughing on the outside, crying on the inside).
and even now... the price has gone up even more.
@@reginaldfairfieldjust bought one for 100€ 😢with another 100€ for doors
@@La-kr3lz ... naurrrr!!
Man those pics on the wall...
I see you are a man of culture as well
That's what I hate about ikea, their PAL fake wood is minimal viable product, absolutely terrible