First, this product is generally over built. Although I have experienced cam locks loosening over time on other ready to assemble furniture, these cam locks were the easiest to install Ive ever seen and seem to tighten nicely. The glued dowels also help.
As a preface, I have been a manager in both purchasing and product costing for a furniture manufacturing company. Im also challenged when it comes to actual assembly! Having said that, however, I have put together many, many pieces of ready to assemble furniture over the last 20 years. Im also 61 years old, I have a bad back, rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel. And I still got through it all by myself!
This is a good, solid piece of furniture once assembled and more than worth the price. Beware of the cam bolts however. As someone who used to purchase hardware from a number of national distributors, these are the cheapest parts Ive ever seen. In fact, when they are screwed in even partly, you can actually bend them with your thumb. So dont use too much force and dont over tighten! With the cam bolts that do not have the shoulder on them, once you sink the last turning on the bolt, I would just give it two or three more turns at most. And eyeball all of the bolts on whatever piece you are working on, so that you can gauge approximate equal height.
You will need a couple of different workspaces to assemble this, hopefully a little ways off the floor so that you can save your back. I started out with the top resting onto old dining room chairs, with cardboard underneath it. I eventually assembled the next large piece on the floor, so that I could turn it on its side when needed.
Take your time, rest when you need to and keep track of all the hardware as you go, taking care to put pieces youre not using back in their proper bags. Youll be happy that you did.
Cam locks and general issues.
First, this product is generally over built. Although I have experienced cam locks loosening over time on other ready to assemble furniture, these cam locks were the easiest to install Ive ever seen and seem to tighten nicely. The glued dowels also help. As a preface, I have been a manager in both purchasing and product costing for a furniture manufacturing company. Im also challenged when it comes to actual assembly! Having said that, however, I have put together many, many pieces of ready to assemble furniture over the last 20 years. Im also 61 years old, I have a bad back, rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel. And I still got through it all by myself! This is a good, solid piece of furniture once assembled and more than worth the price. Beware of the cam bolts however. As someone who used to purchase hardware from a number of national distributors, these are the cheapest parts Ive ever seen. In fact, when they are screwed in even partly, you can actually bend them with your thumb. So dont use too much force and dont over tighten! With the cam bolts that do not have the shoulder on them, once you sink the last turning on the bolt, I would just give it two or three more turns at most. And eyeball all of the bolts on whatever piece you are working on, so that you can gauge approximate equal height. You will need a couple of different workspaces to assemble this, hopefully a little ways off the floor so that you can save your back. I started out with the top resting onto old dining room chairs, with cardboard underneath it. I eventually assembled the next large piece on the floor, so that I could turn it on its side when needed. Take your time, rest when you need to and keep track of all the hardware as you go, taking care to put pieces youre not using back in their proper bags. Youll be happy that you did.