I wanted to surprise YK with a new study desk from Ikea. Back home, I opened the flat package and out spilled a dozen pieces of almost identical planks. I laid out them out according to the drawing and quickly fastened using the screws provided.
After labouring away for some 30 minutes, I realised I couldn't proceed to the next step. I stared at the half-completed frame in disbelief. With Ikea furniture, every piece of wood comes with holes drilled in the right places so that all will eventually fit together like a puzzle. If you make one mistake, you would have to tear everything apart and start over.
It's no rocket science but when it comes to installing DIY furniture, I always get it wrong. All you have to do is look at all the Ikea furniture in my house. They're either wobbly or scratched up or missing some screws.
With sweat trickling down my face, I unscrewed and rearranged the components. When the frame was finally fitted together again, I heaved a sigh of relief. Then I put on the table-top to find it wouldn't sit properly. I couldn't fasten the screws as the holes were facing the wrong way.
Ugh! I could pull everything apart and make it right. But then, it was close to dinner time, my tummy was growling and I was getting grouchy. It didn't help that Rusty kept getting in my way, stepping all over the screws and tools.
I guess YK would never notice the mistake unless he tries to move the table or sit on it. The top is now secured to the frame by several small wooden pins. It's only good enough for his laptop to sit on.
When he returned home to find a new desk sitting snugly in his room, he was too pleased to spot any defects. "Wah, so nice! Thanks Mum!"
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12 comments:
Definitely sucks! That's why I get hubs to do it all... it was that way with Baby Bean's bunk bed and desk... instructions say "only takes 2 hours to put together"...took Hubs the WHOLE day!
Yes... me and DIY dun get along either.
Yeh, once a long time ago, mum and I managed to put together one 3ft X 3 ft table. But it took us ages... that's why since then, we've always paid ikea that 5% extra to have things put together..
JY- Yes, I have delegated this unpopular task to Sk before and the cupboard that he assembled ended up wobbly!
Petunia - Get hubby or little boy to do it!
Auntie Lucia - I usually buy small items that can fit into my car, so it doesn't make sense to get them to deliver and assemble. Sometimes I would rather go to 'as is' section to find what I'm looking for. Even if it comes with a small scratch, I would buy it because most of my self assembled pieces ended up blemished anyway.
The only DIY that I enjoy is cooking or baking! haha...
Hm. I have a solution for you. I love to DIY. LOL. Get me over next time to do it for you. You only need to feed me with chickpea curry or something similar :P
Wen ai- Me too! :-) Becos we get to taste the results.
OKC - Really? I think you're the type who loves to solve puzzles cos I find the diagrams so puzzling. You can come and redo all the wobbly stuff at home. I can think of so many that need fixing!
I'm terrible at reading instructions for D.I.Y., I always think I can work it out, then I can't and have to read the instructions!
I bet he loved it though.
Only after I moved to Finland did I realize something like this. Whenever we bought a new piece of furniture, more often than not, they were something like this...I never had to assemble anything 'coz R2 is always the one in charge, but I can imagine how hard it is for you to have to do it on your own 'coz the drawings are usually not that clear anyway (at least for me).
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