Depressed vexation of shelf in everyday life
May 6, 2017 8:37 AM Subscribe
Please help me ID this shelving unit so I can assemble it correctly.
For years, it's been bugging me that I don't know how to assemble this black wire shelving unit correctly. Long ago, I got it from a friend (photo1, photo2, photo3). What I didn't get was the instruction sheet for assembling it. I've tried various arrangements over time, but none seem to give it a tight, secure fit. More details below.
Its dimensions (in inches) are 67 high x 37 wide x 17 deep. There are 4 shelves, which have front and rear edges reinforced with a zigzag pattern. Its vertical posts are 2 parallel wires, with single-wire cross rails that support the shelves. The "ears" of each shelf are 2 wires that slide between the 2 wires of the vertical posts. There are 4 vertical pieces, joined on each side by a 2-hole-to-2-hole plastic coupler. There are also 2 struts with hooks on each end that reach diagonally across the back, and *should* stabilize the whole thing when it's assembled.
It's those 2 struts that are driving me nuts. I'm pretty sure that at one point they were attached in a way that kept the vertical pieces snugly from lifting apart, and minimized side-to-side wobble. But without the instructions, I haven't been able to replicate that arrangement, and I've tried several times, whenever we've moved or re-done rooms. There have been all kinds of combinations of hooking them inside & outside the 2 vertical wires, below the cross rails, between the shelves' ears when possible, parallel & not, etc. Whatever I do, it still seems side-wobbly or the vertical connection isn't tight. I'm about ready to give up, put it together as well as I can, and then screw it to the wall (it's going to hold a small-ish TV in a basement exercise area, so the wall-screwing is a given anyway).
If anyone has or knows about this shelf, and could point me to an online version of the instructions, I'd be extremely grateful. I'd be only slightly less grateful if you've got experience that tells me "yeah, ours always has some slop in it even when it's assembled the right way - don't sweat it". Thanks very much.
For years, it's been bugging me that I don't know how to assemble this black wire shelving unit correctly. Long ago, I got it from a friend (photo1, photo2, photo3). What I didn't get was the instruction sheet for assembling it. I've tried various arrangements over time, but none seem to give it a tight, secure fit. More details below.
Its dimensions (in inches) are 67 high x 37 wide x 17 deep. There are 4 shelves, which have front and rear edges reinforced with a zigzag pattern. Its vertical posts are 2 parallel wires, with single-wire cross rails that support the shelves. The "ears" of each shelf are 2 wires that slide between the 2 wires of the vertical posts. There are 4 vertical pieces, joined on each side by a 2-hole-to-2-hole plastic coupler. There are also 2 struts with hooks on each end that reach diagonally across the back, and *should* stabilize the whole thing when it's assembled.
It's those 2 struts that are driving me nuts. I'm pretty sure that at one point they were attached in a way that kept the vertical pieces snugly from lifting apart, and minimized side-to-side wobble. But without the instructions, I haven't been able to replicate that arrangement, and I've tried several times, whenever we've moved or re-done rooms. There have been all kinds of combinations of hooking them inside & outside the 2 vertical wires, below the cross rails, between the shelves' ears when possible, parallel & not, etc. Whatever I do, it still seems side-wobbly or the vertical connection isn't tight. I'm about ready to give up, put it together as well as I can, and then screw it to the wall (it's going to hold a small-ish TV in a basement exercise area, so the wall-screwing is a given anyway).
If anyone has or knows about this shelf, and could point me to an online version of the instructions, I'd be extremely grateful. I'd be only slightly less grateful if you've got experience that tells me "yeah, ours always has some slop in it even when it's assembled the right way - don't sweat it". Thanks very much.
I don't have instructions for you, but this is exactly the thing I would use zip ties on to help stabilize it, especially if you are going to screw it to a wall.
posted by momochan at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2017
posted by momochan at 12:21 PM on May 6, 2017
Response by poster: Thanks, ejs. I don't think I've tried an X pattern so I'll see how that goes.
posted by NumberSix at 10:54 PM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by NumberSix at 10:54 PM on May 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The first (low quality) image in this link shows the arrangement I'm talking about.
posted by ejs at 9:54 AM on May 6, 2017 [2 favorites]