Best Drill / Driver + Bits for Assembling IKEA Furniture?

poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 15:24
Last edited 16/12/2023 - 15:14

Hi everyone,

I have a bunch of IKEA furniture coming through soon (mostly PAX and Elvari wardrobes), and I was thinking of investing in some tools that can help expedite the assembly.

I bought this:

Ryobi 18V ONE+ 2.0Ah/4.0Ah Hammer Drill Kit

paired with the Bosch 91-Piece V-Line Titanium Drill Bit & Screwdriver Bit Set

Is this a solid combination? I read that the 18v hammer drill might be too powerful? I'm very new to the world of toolkits, so not really sure what to look for. Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)

EDIT: Resolved below - will be returning the drill, buying two electric screwdrivers instead. Will leave post as is for context for fellow OzBers, thanks again for everyone's input, it has been tremendously helpful!

Home & Garden

Comments

  • jv on 15/12/2023 - 15:26
    +3

    Best Driver

    Verstappen…

  • Nugs on 15/12/2023 - 15:36
    +3

    "50Nm of torque" you will need 2 or 3.
    Most modern drills have an adjustable torque setting
    .

    • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 15:40

      Dang, so it is overkill. Perhaps I should return it and go with something less powerful?

      Or would the adjustment be enough to prevent the driver from smashing through the Ikea boards?

      • Nugs on 15/12/2023 - 16:14
        +2

        follow John Doh suggestion below re "set at 1 first" and take your time, only way to learn
        find a part that will never be seen and practice putting screws in there
        .

  • Ponsonby on 15/12/2023 - 15:44
    +6

    Would never use a power tool on IKEA products - the 'wood' is usually a composite material
    and easy to damage.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2023 - 15:51
      +4

      You can set the torque on the driver? Keep it whatever the wood can stand?

      • Jake D on 15/12/2023 - 15:54
        +5

        or just trigger control and pay attention to what you're doing

        • [Deactivated] on 15/12/2023 - 15:57

          I recently assembled a bed and its hard to do what you are suggesting. its just a little extra squeeze and the stuff can get destroyed. What I did was kept it at clutch level 1 and then used a manual screw driver to see how much more I had to turn after the clutch hit the limits and then increased the clutch settings over next 2 or 3 screws and then its good to go.

      • Hirolol on 16/12/2023 - 10:16

        OP is asking what drill he should get and is saying he is new to the toolkit world.
        not gonna have any idea what he's doing

        • [Deactivated] on 16/12/2023 - 12:32

          My reply was not for OP.

    • ABA on 15/12/2023 - 15:56
      +3

      You just have use something with very low power and there is no problem. It took me a few weekends to do my WIR using power tools so it would have been a few months if I was to use a screwdriver.

    • Hirolol on 16/12/2023 - 10:14

      ikr
      if homie is asking what drill he should buy to assemble ikea furniture, probably shouldn't be using a drill to assemble it.
      next post, how do I fix busted out ikea furniture mechanism

  • ABA on 15/12/2023 - 15:44
    +3

    I recently assembled a big IKEA PAX walk in wardrobe and a TV unit and used my 12v driver and when it ran out battery tried Ryobi but it was too powerful even at the lowest setting so I highly recommend getting an Ozito 12v driver to avoid damaging your expensive wardrobe as it can be difficult and time consuming to fix it later. Definitely DO NOT use hammer drill for assembling furniture as its not what it is designed for. 12v driver will also be lighter so easy on your hands as well.

  • geek001 on 15/12/2023 - 15:48
    +1

    I have put together quite a few IKEA cabinet in recent years. IMHO, 18V power drill is an overkill, but at the same time I recommend some sort of power tool. If you bought the Ryobi drill already, make sure you put it in the lowest clutch setting, maybe 2 depending. Also, turn off the hammer drill function, if you cannot, maybe get an alcheapo low power drill. IKEA cabinets are pretty flimsy so it is quite easy to overdrill the screws.

    Probably another thing you need is a square, to make sure the 4 sides of the cabinets are right angles to each other, before you nail the backing board to the cabinet. If you are only assembling small cabinets, you can probably get away with not using a square, but I do recommend checking the larger full length cabinets with a square. Otherwise the doors will not line up, no matter how you adjust it.

    Good luck.

  • tbone74 on 15/12/2023 - 15:55
    +8

    As others have mentioned, that drill driver is way more powerful than needed. To the point it's really better to use a manual screwdriver.

    I suggest an electric screwdriver instead. I've assembled many Pax frames with this one.
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-3-6v-cordless-screwdriver-…

    You might still need a drill if joining the frames together. When joined together you can get them better aligned which helps with hinged doors and is a necessity for sliding doors.

    Also when doing the cams, consider starting with a manual screwdriver to make sure they start going in straight. After a few turns finish with the electric.

    • freefall101 on 15/12/2023 - 19:25

      I had a $10 electric screwdriver for years that was an absolute life saver. Far easier than using the drill in many places because of the size too. Lost it a couple of years ago, so I might go pick that one up this weekend.

    • Haplo on 15/12/2023 - 19:40

      Agree with @tbone74, the ozito, possibly set on one given it's ikea gear, is all you need to speed things up and not destroy.

  • Dan83 on 15/12/2023 - 15:57
    +4

    It might be overkill but i really like my makita impact driver for flat pack. The key is mine is one with a slow setting. It avoids destroying the furniture if you get trigger happy. Any impact driver with a low power mode would be good, but particularly if it’s something you’ll use for other projects around the house.

  • Rako on 15/12/2023 - 15:58
    +1

    Please only use hand tools to avoid damage. I've put a lot of Ikea products together & I don't recall having to use anything other than the hand tools supplied with the product.

    • ABA on 15/12/2023 - 16:01
      +1

      There are no tools provided with PAX units so you must use your own. It is easy to damage them if you don't know what you are doing but if you use the weak tools almost no chance of any damage doesn't matter how much you try.

  • cashless on 15/12/2023 - 15:58
    +1

    I got one of these.
    Sadly no longer available, but fantastic for IKEA flatpacks

  • Gunnar on 15/12/2023 - 16:01
    +1

    Just be gentle using the drill, use a low torque setting and come on the power slowly because you may damage the product

    Also for most ikea furniture you need a Philips head no2 and a hex head no. 4, that’s about it. You’re better off to buy good quality versions of those than the whole kit you got

  • jallen89 on 15/12/2023 - 16:11
    +1

    I use my Milwaukee M12 Surge. It has 3 power settings and speed 1 is perfect for flat pack furniture. As long as you’re careful and using a good quality bit, you’ll be fine.

  • oblivianz on 15/12/2023 - 16:21
    +1

    A hammer drill is for drilling into harder materials such as bricks. An impact driver is better suited for drilling wood. In terms of a bit set, the Milwaukee Shockwave is reputable for durability. I use it with a Ryobi impact driver and it serves me well.

    • Euphemistic on 15/12/2023 - 19:11
      +3

      An impact driver is not for ‘drilling into wood’. It is for driving screws in a lot harder than a drill does. For IKEA assembly using an impact driver would be a mistake. Use the drill on low speed, not hammer mode with the clutch set low.

      I’ve got a hammer drill and impact driver and would use the drill to assemble flat packs. The impact is far too fast and a recipe for stripped threads and munted timber.

  • Stone Monkey on 15/12/2023 - 16:35
    +1

    This deal is currently on ozbargain and in the description it mentions assembling flat pack furniture.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/820598

  • pegaxs on 15/12/2023 - 16:44
    +1

    Worx electric screw driver. Anything more than a small driver is going to strip holes in Ikea furniture. I use one of these drivers for nut running at work and they work awesome. heaps of power but not enough to strip bolts into wood and a variable torque settings.

  • jumpypotato53 on 15/12/2023 - 16:50
    +1

    Your 18V should be fine as long as you don't use the hammer setting and use the 1 on the torque settings. Once it stops spinning then finish hand tightening.

    Do not use an impact driver, it will damage the "wood". Use something with a clutch and set to the minimum torque.

  • Sal in SA on 15/12/2023 - 17:56
    +1

    Kitchen bread and butter knife - anything else will over tighten..

  • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 18:06

    Thanks for all the helpful comments everyone, appreciate the advice!

    Realise the Ryobi might get the job done, but given my complete lack of experience - I'd rather not risk damaging the already quite frail IKEA parts. I think I might return the Ryobi Drill, and buy this Ozito electric screwdriver and this B&D electric screwdriver instead. The Ozito has adjustable torque settings and the B&D has a hex key holder. Between the two of them, my partner and I should be set for assembly. Special thanks to @Stone Monkey and @tbone74 for the recommendations.

    Does anyone know if the Bosch bit set would be compatible with either the Ozito or the B&D? if not, I'll send that back too.

    • tbone74 on 15/12/2023 - 19:15
      +1

      Generally speaking, driver bits are hex shaped and drill bits are round (although hex versions do exist). Electric screwdrivers usually only fit the hex shape of driver bits.

      So you would only be able to use the driver bits from the Bosch set, not the drill bits.

      • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 19:19

        That's very helpful, thanks again!

        • tbone74 on 15/12/2023 - 19:53
          +1

          Also worth noting the Ozito comes with a set of driver bits that covers most of what you'll ever need. The quality isn't great, like most cheaper bits the metal is a bit soft but they should do the job for Ikea assembly.

          Just don't forget to check if you need to drill any holes as part of installation. You might still need a drill and drill bits, even if the electric screwdriver is more suitable for most of the assembly.

          Usually you need a drill if you are joining frames together such as when installing sliding doors.

          Also consider where and how you will be securing to the wall. If there is a stud in the wall at any of the securing points you will likely need a drill to drill a pilot hole for the screw and/or a stronger driver to get the screw in to the stud.

          • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 20:00

            @tbone74: All great points that I'll be taking on board, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge!

    • Hirolol on 16/12/2023 - 10:17

      oh man, should read your commen before i posted.
      might wanna update it in the description haha.
      smart idea getting the ozito electric screwdriver.
      could also return it in true ozbargain fashion after use… but can be good for general use around the house.

  • sumyungguy on 15/12/2023 - 18:58

    Are you doing the sliding glass doors? You need a Cert IV in Ikea for those…

    • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 19:00

      I am indeed! I have installed a set in the past, I remember it being an absolute nightmare - but the sliding doors are a great space saver.

      • sumyungguy on 15/12/2023 - 19:02

        Yes, they're great! Hardest Ikea thing I've ever done… by a wide margin. The soft-close ones.

  • Euphemistic on 15/12/2023 - 19:13
    +1

    You likely won’t need a full bit set to assemble flat packs. Just a Philips screwdriver and Allen (hex) bit.

    Titanium drill bits are usually cheap stuff with a marketing coating that aren’t much good for anything except soft timber.

    • poppingtags on 15/12/2023 - 19:19

      A very good point, I reckon I might send the bits back to Amazon too! Thank you :)

  • caboose on 15/12/2023 - 20:20
    +1

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/bosch-3-6v-professional-cordless…

    I've had this for almost 3 years and it's been great. Reasonable amount of torque (can even do some drilling), but not enough to get you in trouble, and the clutch allows you to be finer when required.

  • Bilby s on 16/12/2023 - 08:29
    +3

    I’ve done lots of ikea furniture including 3 kitchens and you don’t need much, the main thing is using enough torque but not too much as most of the time the fittings are going into mdf or chip wood which means it can split. So here we go:

    Before you start, lay everything out, count the parts and screws and read the instructions carefully

    1. Light easy to use drill driver, set it on a lower torque setting to get it going
    2. Use a Phillips screwdriver or hex key to do a final hand tighten
    3. If you plan to keep the furniture for a while, then add some wood glue between the joints
    4. For larger units pop the locking round pieces in and tighten hard
    5. Backing boards always come off over time so use a bead of glue
    6. Once assembled and are into place, don’t move it again - they are not meant to be moved over and over again.

    I have a love - hate relationship with IKEA. Easy to assembly but always end up in premature landfill.

    Ps don’t get water on any ikea item. Water and mdf/chipboard does not mix.

    In terms of drills, I’ve always used a basic Makita or Bosch as they last, a 14.4v would be fine and easy to use. You only need a Phillips screwdriver and bit, hex bit, a drill driver, the provided hex key, glue and a hammer.

    • [Deactivated] on 16/12/2023 - 12:34
      +1

      Nice set of suggestions.

    • poppingtags on 16/12/2023 - 15:12

      This is very helpful, thanks so much for sharing! :)

  • pencilhead on 16/12/2023 - 15:19
    +1

    I always glue Ikea stuff (bit of PVA). It has a way of working loose after a while.

    • poppingtags on 16/12/2023 - 15:23

      I've had a few people mentioning glue, might pick some up - thanks for the tip!

  • eckorock on 16/12/2023 - 20:19

    Even if you were going to use an 18V electric drill (which you shouldn't) why did you get a HAMMER drill?? That is totally innapropriate for this kind of task. You just need a vanilla rotary drill for putting screws into pre-fabricated threaded-inserts or screwing into wood. And IKEA wood is not even wood, it's composite chipboard stuff, so it's super soft.
    Dude did you even look up what a hammer drill is for?

    Here is ChatGPT:
    Material Suitability: Hammer drills are best suited for hard materials like concrete or masonry, while rotary drills are suitable for softer materials like wood, plastic, or metal.
    Functionality: Hammer drills combine drilling with a hammering action, while rotary drills focus solely on rotational drilling.

    I've built a lot of IKEA with just my ratchet screwdriver and a mallet for the odd whack on a stubborn part.

    • poppingtags on 16/12/2023 - 22:29

      I saw a few comments about it being a good all round drill / driver, so I thought I'd get it - but I knew I had 365 day returns with OnePass, so I'll be sending it back.

      • Euphemistic on 17/12/2023 - 13:21
        +1

        Don’t send it back if you want to use it for other stuff. It will be a good all rounder. Capable of drilling into masonry (hammer), drilling timber and steel and also driving screws.

        Just need to be aware of the settings and not go too hard on the trigger. Slow and steady for screws, listen and watch for when the screw is driven in far enough.

    • Dan83 on 17/12/2023 - 08:14

      Not to say a hammer drill is the most appropriate but you don’t need to use its hammer function. Then it operates like a normal drill.

  • Bilby s on 17/12/2023 - 09:00
    +1

    Yes you don’t need a hammer drill, something light and easy to use is more important for a first drill.

    • Euphemistic on 17/12/2023 - 13:22
      +1

      My cordless hammer drill is not a lot heavier than the non hammer cordless drill. If you only want one drill, get a hammer drill. I’ve got two plus an impact driver and use them all across a range of tasks.

      Having the three and enough batteries is really handy when you want to drill, countersink and then drive a screw in when doing something like a deck which takes lots of screws. No need to change bits or batteries or deal with cords.

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