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Assembly guide
How to Assemble Furniture Properly
A repeatable method for any flat-pack piece: what tools to have on hand, the order that avoids rework, and the checks that catch problems before they matter.
The tool kit that covers most jobs
| Tool | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| #2 Phillips screwdriver (long shank) | Fits most cam locks and screws; a long shank keeps your knuckles off the panel |
| Hex (Allen) keys in metric sizes | The included key is often soft; a proper set won't round over |
| Rubber mallet | Seats dowels without denting the laminate |
| Tape measure | For checking diagonals when you square the carcass |
| Small level | For leveling legs and checking shelves |
| Muffin tin or small cups | Keeps each type of hardware separate |
| Cordless drill with a clutch (optional) | Only for pilot holes and the wall anchor, set to a low clutch setting |
The eight-step method
- Inventory. Lay out every panel with its sticker or letter visible and count the hardware against the parts list.
- Sort hardware. One cup per type. Similar-looking screws of different lengths are the most common source of trouble.
- Pre-insert. Tap dowels into their holes and screw cam bolts into the panel faces while the panels are flat on the floor.
- Dry-fit. Bring the sides, top and base together with the cams loose. Holes that don't line up now will not line up later.
- Fasten in sequence. Turn each cam until it bites, then go around once more to snug them all. Work diagonally on big panels.
- Square and back. Measure corner to corner both ways. When the diagonals match, the carcass is square. Fix the back panel now; it locks that shape in.
- Fit moving parts. Install drawer runners, then drawers, then doors. Adjust hinges last.
- Anchor and re-check. Fit the tip-over restraint (see wall anchors), then revisit every fastener.
Common assembly mistakes
- Panel upside down or reversed. Check the finished edge and the pre-drilled hole pattern, not just the shape.
- Cam turned the wrong way. Most cams lock clockwise; an arrow on the cam face often shows the direction.
- Back panel nailed on before squaring. The piece will rack for life.
- Building it lying down in a room it won't stand up in. Measure the diagonal height of a tall unit against your ceiling before you start.
- Leaving out “optional” brackets. Corner braces and middle supports are there because the piece needed them in testing.
Checks after assembly
- Diagonals match within a few millimetres.
- The piece doesn't rock on a hard floor; adjust levelling feet if fitted.
- Drawers close fully without rubbing and doors meet evenly.
- No hardware left in the cups except the spares the manual lists.
- The tip-over restraint is attached to the wall and the furniture.
- Put a reminder in your calendar to re-tighten everything in four to six weeks. Wood and board settle.