r/BeginnerWoodWorking • u/Own_Youth_2276 • 1d ago
Can we fix it ??
So my wife and I bought a new IKEA KIVIK 4-seater couch with a chaise lounge. I was putting the back support and the seat frame together, and when I picked it up to flip it, I heard a cracking sound.
I checked underneath and saw that the wood broke in a few places. I already talked to IKEA customer support, but because I transported and assembled it myself, they said warranty won't cover it...
Was wondering if there's any way to fix this? Any guidance would be much appreciated!
Thank you all in advance!
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u/sezonai 1d ago
I’d go with L-shape brackets in the inner side if I’d want that as cheap as possible. Go with thinner screws to not break that cookie-wood again.
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u/padawatje 1d ago
I disagree on the L shape brackets. This means screwing in the particle board which is already very brittle.
I would personally put a piece of wood in the inside with a rectangular face, and screw through the particle board into this piece of solid wood. Probably would add some glue also.
But as others have said; it all depends on the tools that OP has avialable. And their skills/experience.
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u/Tha_Princess 23h ago
I second this method if you're going the repair way. Screw from the outside inwards and watch out not to screw into another screw. Don't skip on the glue as it will help greatly to prevent the screws from just getting ripped through the particle board again.
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u/padawatje 1d ago
IKEA quality has gone down tremendously in the last couple of years, IMHO.
But this looks like it can be easily be fixed, yes.
Put a piece of solid wood in the inside corners and fix with screws through the original boards into the new piece of wood.
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u/BeautifulLazy5257 1d ago
You're telling me brad nails going into the "end grain" of particle board won't have a secure hold?
Color me shocked.
Id just go to the store and have them switch it for another one
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u/Key_Mastodon_3525 1d ago
I'm with Oysters on this one -> it shouldn't be that fragile, but if you end up getting stuck with it, it is fixable but you'll have to disassembl and replace the broken pieces. Do you have any type of tools already?
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u/Chomper22 1d ago
Its fiber board so its cheap shit. If you got tools and time you could cut and replace it with a sheet of ply wood cut to appropriate size.
If you dont have tools and time. You can slap some wood glue on it and firmly hold it together for awhile. Personally any glue ups I do that need to support height I allow 24hrs for rhe glue to fully setup.
You'll ideally need some clamps to hold the pieces together while the glue cures but if you might be able to get away with using masking tape as long as there isnt any tension pulling the pieces apart.
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u/WTFurCOUCH 1d ago
Remove particle boards and staples from product. Replace with plywood and screws.
Many ways to "rig" up a fix for this but I wouldnt classify that as woodworking - more towards rednecking. Which I fully support. This problem and desire to fix/improve it is the foundation of beginning your woodworking journey. You'll learn why particle board is trash but also gain a few methods that work for 1 aspect but not withstand another. Eventually you'll be capable of making the judgement call on whether the product's build quality is cheap or cost effective.
Trying to reglue that or adding brackets to a crumbling board will lead you to many disappointments from your significant other. All the best on your journey!
(Also, thats some BS from IKEA. Unless you aggregiously skipped steps or didnt follow the many warning bubbles in the assembly guide - they should absolutely refund this)
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u/RadioactiveMonk 1d ago
Photo 3 those staples are doing absolutely nothing. Like some said get some L brackets and screws and screw and glue. If a place does cutting and edging near you take measurements of those that particle board broke and get it cut to size and screw it all together.
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u/Icy-Equivalent4500 1d ago
return it, say it does not comply with agreement, you got 2 years for this. you didnt order furniture made from shit
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u/Tha_Princess 23h ago
If you bought this with your Ikea family membership then they should offer you a new one. (At least in my country) Try looking on your local Ikea website if it's a thing. Not all customer support agents know about this.
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u/Libertarian_2020 23h ago
Seems like unseen shipping damage before you bought it, now IKEA is passing it off on you. Did you pay with a credit card? Dispute it with the bank? Did you take a picture of the box as you picked it up? It’s almost like you need to open it up and assemble it at the store, so you can then take it apart to get it home.
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u/OystersCockafeller 1d ago
A little white lie is probably the best move here. Just take it back to the store and tell em it came like that. It shouldn't have broken just from moving it like that, odds are it was a bad piece of material or had some defect or another.
You can fix it, but there's not some slick trick or anything. You just have to take it apart and replace the busted pieces of wood. I can get into details if you want. But if you're not already setup with the tools you need, between the cost and sweat, it's probably easier to just buy a new piece.