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Death to Cam Lock Nuts: Flatpack Hardware That Will Hopefully Become Obsolete
How long do I need to stay tuned for? What's the new connection method?
I loathe these things. I've been putting IKEA furniture together for many years and was just working on some pieces yesterday - their HAVSTA bookcases are really quite nice-looking and made of moderately heavy pine boards, so I like them. But I loathe these things. In my experience, about 1/3rd of them turn nicely and rotate 180" into position like they are supposed to. The rest have lots of problems. Often the hole for the cam is not deep enough, or something isn't quite straight with the screw, or it doesn't extend quite far enough into the hole for the cam. The result is that I can't turn the thing all the way around. I am only using hand tools since I have learned the hard way not to use powered screw drivers to turn these things. I've torn the prongs right off even trying to tighten them with a screwdriver. It seems like the cams are made of a poor grade of metal. Even with a properly-fitting screwdriver, sometimes the screwdriver socket will break, leaving bits of broken metal..
Fortunately they seem to hold well enough even if they don't quite work right, but they are unpleasant to work with and I would dearly love to see an alternative method in future versions of these furniture pieces.
Hey Rain, did you ever do that "Stay tuned" follow-up on this article and please can you direct me...? Many thanks.
For the time being we need a solution to keeping the Cam screw perpendicular while it is being tightened. It is so frustrating, especially if you want to use a cordless drill. My suggestion is to design a very simply universal jig which holds the screw vertical long enough to get it started. Even a simple clothes peg could help?
I think I have a solution for you. We just ran into this issue at my day job, so I designed and 3D printed a jig that worked great. It you're interested let me know.
Hey Kevin, I need to know can you tell me about it
Akansh Dubey I can't seem to reply to your comment. However the jigs are available for purchase here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/709530405/cam-and-dowel-jig
Hey Rain Noe. I am grateful for this review on the cam and lock nuts. I would like you to consult with me on a furniture design project...RTA/KD. Reach me via mail on urladycarpenter@gmail.com
Check out Lockdowel's new Eclips products for fastening furniture. Home video shows cabinet panels going together in minutes. No cam locks, screws , glue or tools needed. The boards slide together to make a strong and invisible joint. .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g43HOrOHoqo
If the chip board is poorly made it will break apart when you tighten the CAM nut causing it not to sit straight and this will cause the CAM nut to twist and it will break apart. You may not be able to get the part of the Cam nut that is between the clip board and the CAM bolt. I found this is a poorly made fastner to use on items that needs a strong fastner to assembly an item that will support a lot of weight.
I've been researching connection methods for my panel based product (insulated dog houses) and I happily found this article.