jon Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 having a 5x5 delivered next week and figured you dudes might be able to tell me how much time I'll need to plan on burning putting it together and whether I can get by doing it by myself or if I really need two people to do it. Not usually too great at putting Ikea shit together so any extra clues will be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cactusbot Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 If it was a 2x4 or something, you could do it yourself. But I think you definitely ned two people to put the 5x5 together. Probably takes an hour or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xadamhudsonx Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I just put a 4x4 together today by myself, took about an hour. You'll be fine. They're not difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevorm Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Contradicting messages are contradicting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steventangent Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 It'll be a fuck of a fuck of a lot easier with 2 people to build one that big. It's pretty straightforward, even if you aren't particularly handy with putting things together, but yeah. Invite a friend over. Have a pizza. Have Beverly Hills Cop playing on a TV in the background while you do it. I'm just saying. Everything is better with a friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chhristopher Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I just built a 2x4 with my dad this past weekend and it was pretty simple until we had to screw in the last side and bottom boards. It got a bit frustrating and the holes stripped a bit, but patience helps. The shelves slide into place really easily, its just the larger boards that can give you trouble. A 5x5 will probably be the same story. May the force be with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted March 27, 2011 Author Share Posted March 27, 2011 I just built a 2x4 with my dad this past weekend and it was pretty simple until we had to screw in the last side and bottom boards. It got a bit frustrating and the holes stripped a bit, but patience helps. The shelves slide into place really easily, its just the larger boards that can give you trouble. A 5x5 will probably be the same story. May the force be with you. Yah this is the kind of nonsense I was worried about. I have one of their desks that was a bitch to put together and I've kinda been dreading this thing Thanks for the tips tho, appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jordan999 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 If you can't do it on your own you're a moron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonbeams Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 i built a 2 by 4 by myself. it was easy and took around a half hour, less i think. they are not heavy. I'm sure you'll be fine without any help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steventangent Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 If you can't do it on your own you're a moron. And while that may be true, it's still easier, quicker, and, dare I say, even safer with two people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjo09 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 You just need the space to have it built flat on the ground and you will be fine building it yourself. May be worth having someone help you stand it up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themean Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 I did the 5x5 by myself. It helped that I am tall and could reach both sides at once to push it together. Would be a little tougher if you are short. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattalica17 Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 i put some braces on the back of mine so it would be a little more solid (some T's and L's) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrangerwithcandy Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Just built the 5x5 myself last week, you need enough space to build it flat and then some (I think the shelf it about 73 x 73, so make sure wherever you build it has about an extra foot or more of space on each side. When it's done the only thing you'll really need a second person for is lifting it because let me tell you it's not fun trying that solo. You're more than likely going to want to wall mount it because it is a BIG shelf and very heavy. It comes with everything you need to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviewonderbread Posted March 27, 2011 Share Posted March 27, 2011 Get a drill with a hex bit, will go together much quicker than hand cranking with the allen wrench. Just make sure everything is square before going at it and that you set the clutch so you don't strip out the screws (in case you ever move and have to disassemble it, a 73x73" bookcase won't fit through a doorway easily). I can put together a 2x4 cube expedit in 15-20 minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catalinacaper Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 Get a drill with a hex bit, will go together much quicker than hand cranking with the allen wrench. Just make sure everything is square before going at it and that you set the clutch so you don't strip out the screws (in case you ever move and have to disassemble it, a 73x73" bookcase won't fit through a doorway easily). I can put together a 2x4 cube expedit in 15-20 minutes. Expedit speed building - a cornerstone of the Hipster Olympics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick6ten Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I was able to do the 5x5 entertainment center by myself, the biggest pain was getting it upright, but it wasn't too bad. I forget how long it took, I think I put a movie on and I had it finished by the end of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicole Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 If you can't do it on your own you're a moron. And while that may be true, it's still easier, quicker, and, dare I say, even safer with two people. This. I'm a small built girl and even I can assemble Ikea furniture by myself. If you cant, then you're a retard. But it absolutley speeds up the process if you have help. And I second the use of a drill instead of the alan key. Much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyseancore Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 i've built tons of boxed furniture in my day. never anything from ikea, but still, tons. any project that contains boards longer than your body, or anything that will result in a final project being taller than you, should be done with at least one other person, or you will fail and ruin your furniture. that is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daegor Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 hmm, maybe I did too many legos when I was a kid or something, but the other day I just put together two 2x2 expedits. I took my time, I was chatting, watching TV, drinking beer. Took me about 5 min each. The trick to ANYTHING prefabricated with screws is to NEVER tighten ANY of the screws until it is completely put together. With all of the little errors in the manufacturing process, it's never going to fit together exactly right, so if you leave everything loose you have that little extra give that you need to make sure everything lines up. And do yourself a favour, with a 5x5 you'll cut your time and frustration in half if you have a second person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobfrombob Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I did a 5x5 myself. No biggee. The only thing I always tell people with Ikea stuff is look at the instructions very carfefully. There are usually only pictures and you have to pay attention to make sure you are using the right pieces and parts in the right place. Often pieces look identical but are different from one side to the other, or one end to the other. And if you don't pay attention, you won't realize you have used the wrong piece in the wrong place until near the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daegor Posted March 28, 2011 Share Posted March 28, 2011 I did a 5x5 myself. No biggee. The only thing I always tell people with Ikea stuff is look at the instructions very carfefully. There are usually only pictures and you have to pay attention to make sure you are using the right pieces and parts in the right place. Often pieces look identical but are different from one side to the other, or one end to the other. And if you don't pay attention, you won't realize you have used the wrong piece in the wrong place until near the end. THIS. My 5 min didn't include my first one that I did twice for just this reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviewonderbread Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Get a drill with a hex bit, will go together much quicker than hand cranking with the allen wrench. Just make sure everything is square before going at it and that you set the clutch so you don't strip out the screws (in case you ever move and have to disassemble it, a 73x73" bookcase won't fit through a doorway easily). I can put together a 2x4 cube expedit in 15-20 minutes. Expedit speed building - a cornerstone of the Hipster Olympics I work for IKEA, so I have some experience building that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adamlikesmusic Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 I can second the above comments about checking the pieces. We bought a bookshelf, and followed the images exactly, and when all was said and done, the support board in the middle of the bookshelf was upside-down, so the screws stood out like a sore thumb. They definitely can be vague. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyseancore Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 sounds like buying a bunch of the 2x4s and stacking them would be easier than buying one big one. you won't have to tear it all apart when you move, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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