IKEA 'hack' - is this possible?

maxsmum

I am looking for a tall chest of drawers, this is the perfect width and depth but not height. Does anyone think it would be possible to buy two, keep the legs off one and stack it on top of the other? i would fix both to the wall, but would I need to glue them in the middle?
I have looked at the instructions for assembly and the legs are separate, but not great at reading those IKEA manuals so maybe someone handy here would have an opinion?

Tefral

Yes its possible. the legs have dowels and a chipboard type screw that goes from the bottom into the leg.

Ive assembled these exact drawers before. When you attach both to the wall, i would also get chip board screws 40mm long and screw the bottom of the one on top to the top of the unit below to strengthen it up.

Might be worth mentioning though if you stack them the top drawers you wont be able to see into them? defeats the purpose maybe?

listermint

of course possible. Id mechanically secure them together rather than just glue

Id also make sure its fixed to a wall with wall fixings due to weight and fall protection

Roadtoad

(beaten to it by someone with superior knowledge)

Tefral

Roadtoad wrote: »

You'd also need to be handy with a saw for cutting the legs square and smooth (fine blade). Follow up with a plane if needed.

The legs are not part of the bottom. If you just dont attach them they dont need to be removed.

maxsmum

Yes, I thought about the top drawer issue. It would be 170cm tall without one set of legs (14cm long), I am 170cm tall exactly and husband is taller. We could consider leaving both sets of legs off. It's for an alcove exactly that width and depth, I'd prefer it with the legs though.

sabat

You'd be approaching €600 for a pile of MDF destined for a skip in a few years-for that kind of money you could do a lot better imo. Plus I doubt the "bottom half" would hold that extra weight. If you need an item of furniture with specific dimensions try wayfair.co.uk where you can filter by exact lengths then look for the same piece on sites that deliver to Ireland or via parcel motel.

Tefral

sabat wrote: »

You'd be approaching €600 for a pile of MDF destined for a skip in a few years-for that kind of money you could do a lot better imo. Plus I doubt the "bottom half" would hold that extra weight. If you need an item of furniture with specific dimensions try wayfair.co.uk where you can filter by exact lengths then look for the same piece on sites that deliver to Ireland or via parcel motel.

Don't understand the skip comment?

With regards to the weight, given the solid nature of the legs (they are solid timber) and the sides I wouldnt worry about the load trasnfer to the ground, but if you were, removing both sets of legs would certainly increase its load carrying ability.

maxsmum

Tefral wrote: »

Don't understand the skip comment?

With regards to the weight, given the solid nature of the legs (they are solid timber) and the sides I wouldnt worry about the load trasnfer to the ground, but if you were, removing both sets of legs would certainly increase its load carrying ability.

It would be for the bedroom, so for clothes and shoes and the like. I could keep all the lighter stuff in the top half.
I know what people say about IKEA furniture but I've looked at other sites and seen stuff I would go off in a few years that costs over 1,000 GBP.

Roadtoad

You could keep the toys in the top shelf, out of reach/sight of the kids.
For privacy, like.

Calahonda52

It looks like there is a fifth leg so If i was doing it I would look at fitting the second set of legs in line with the vertical uprights to reduce the risk of sagging
To fix then together, use kitchen carcase connector bolts
eg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/CONNECTING-KITCHEN-CABINET-FURNITURE-CONNECTORS/dp/B072C5R4H2/ref=asc_df_B072C5R4H2/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309775932390&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16256672636342427754&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=20481&hvtargid=pla-694142975413&psc=1

And make damn sure its well fixed on top

maxsmum

Thank you, everyone

LenWoods

maxsmum wrote: »

Thank you, everyone

Link to instructions here: https://www.ikea.com/ie/en/assembly_instructions/bryggja-chest-of-9-drawers-dark-grey__AA-2147452-2_pub.pdf

All ikea instructors are downloadable on the detail section
Page 29 of the manual shows the feet are dowels and screw with allen head,

Personally I'd line one unit on top of the other
Then drill through the existing leg holes down through the top section of the Lower unit,
Purchase some 6mm or 8mm bolts with lock nuts and penny washers to prevent them pulling through when tightening
Forget the glue as it could end up jam sandwich out the sides,

Hand tighten the bugs and bolts job done.

colm_mcm

Wonder how easy it would be to join them with the bottom of the top unit removed, would look way better. A few pocket holes and dowels should do it.

LenWoods

colm_mcm wrote: »

Wonder how easy it would be to join them with the bottom of the top unit removed, would look way better. A few pocket holes and dowels should do it.

A T-square and pencil

Lay the top and bottom next to each other on the floor,
Then mark up holes on to the underside of the bottom panel to replicate that of what is on the underside of the top.
Then use a drill bit to meassure depth if required to then drill the correct depth for screw in dowels to go in.

Pick up a T-spuare in Mr.price for €5

colm_mcm

LenWoods wrote: »

A T-square and pencil

Lay the top and bottom next to each other on the floor,
Then mark up holes on to the underside of the bottom panel to replicate that of what is on the underside of the top.
Then use a drill bit to meassure depth if required to then drill the correct depth for screw in dowels to go in.

Pick up a T-spuare in Mr.price for €5

I had forgotten how ikea stuff goes together!

looksee

I don't think i would remove part of the carcass, I think it would weaken the structure.

LenWoods

colm_mcm wrote: »

I had forgotten how ikea stuff goes together!

Bit different when the person is looking to create a top section out of a bottom section;
Above post is classed as a Temporary Process Change requiring the use of some additional equipment not specified in the original document.

LenWoods

looksee wrote: »

I don't think i would remove part of the carcass, I think it would weaken the structure.

Perhaps read the book on the three little pigs before progressing on to the IKEA manual

no.8

maxsmum wrote:

It would be for the bedroom, so for clothes and shoes and the like. I could keep all the lighter stuff in the top half. I know what people say about IKEA furniture but I've looked at other sites and seen stuff I would go off in a few years that costs over 1,000 GBP.

Don't take any note of that. IKEA furniture (most models i know) are well suited for longevity.

mickdw

Removing one panel as described is the only right way to do this. Otherwise you will have two panel thickness at the middle height and will always look like 2 units stacked.
Removing a panel will make into a perfect double height unit.

colm_mcm

You’d obviously want to be fixing it to the wall as well either way.

LenWoods

no.8 wrote: »

Don't take any note of that. IKEA furniture (most models i know) are well suited for longevity.

+1
I've spent €1100 on a PAX wardrobe configuration this time last year and its 100%
A little bit of wood glue on dowels with some toilet roll to wipe off the excess during assembly makes a great difference
https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/80864-living-room-project/?do=findComment&comment=766329

Lex Luthor

Check out kallax
Loads of options there

Lex Luthor

Or eket