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Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 09, 2020 07:08AM
I've been looking for some cabinets / bookcases to display my vintage toys (Fisher Price, Star Wars, etc.). These will be in my basement / arcade space so trying to find something simple and not too expensive. After doing some research I'm kind of sold on the Ikea Billy Bookcases with glass doors. Anyone have these?

[www.ikea.com]

These have been around forever so they must be decent. Any other options out there for the price? Does anyone sell flat packed "plywood" or "wood" constructed bookcases online?
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: cbelt3
Date: July 09, 2020 07:24AM
We have two of them. Well made.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: carl
Date: July 09, 2020 08:03AM
I don't think you can go wrong with the Billy bookcase with doors. We have had 2 sets with doors for over 10 years. Doors and closure mechanisms are still working fine.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: archipirata
Date: July 09, 2020 08:41AM
I've got several that are 10 years old.

You do have to be careful when moving them to not put too much strain on the joints (because particle board is particle board) and they'll hold up pretty well.

I would avoid a full load of heavy books on any of the adjustable shelves as they will deform over time under heavy load (like all similar ones.)



Athens, OH
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: Mr Downtown
Date: July 09, 2020 08:58AM
For toys, they'll be more than fine. The shelves can sag under heavy books, but there are ways to remedy that. Only thing you might consider is that they have hardware (six hex boltheads) visible on the ends. A lot of other RTA bookcases have figured out ways around that.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: cbelt3
Date: July 09, 2020 09:18AM
FWIW... make SURE you attach them to studs in the walls for safety.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 09, 2020 09:27AM
Quote
cbelt3
FWIW... make SURE you attach them to studs in the walls for safety.

Yeah, I'm wondering about that. I have exposed cinder block walls in my basement. Thinking hanger wire (or safety wire) attached to the floor joists and to the top of the bookcase would be "good enough" to keep them from tipping. Obviously I can secure them with tapcons in the block as well.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 09, 2020 09:32AM
Basically like this look.



Ikea - Billy with Lights & More Shelves by Darth Ray, on Flickr
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: Mr Downtown
Date: July 09, 2020 09:42AM
I use these at the tops to make sure the top edges all align. I just tap them in a bit, not all the way down, and they're easily removed with a screwdriver for moving.



In other places, I put a drywall screw laterally from one into the bookcase next to it. Of course, this mars the end of the bookcase it enters, so I only do that when they're a pretty permanent placement.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: space-time
Date: July 09, 2020 09:52AM
Impressive

It is estimated that every five seconds, one BILLY bookcase is sold somewhere in the world. Pretty impressive considering we launched BILLY in 1979. It’s the booklovers choice that never goes out of style.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: jdc
Date: July 09, 2020 09:56AM
Quote
Mr Downtown
In other places, I put a drywall screw laterally from one into the bookcase next to it. Of course, this mars the end of the bookcase it enters, so I only do that when they're a pretty permanent placement.

Ive done that... but drilled the hole first and used a barrel nut (sometimes called a 'sex' bolt.







Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: tronnei
Date: July 09, 2020 10:23AM
Quote
Mr Downtown
I use these at the tops to make sure the top edges all align. I just tap them in a bit, not all the way down, and they're easily removed with a screwdriver for moving.



What are these called? Link?
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: cbelt3
Date: July 09, 2020 10:33AM
Ours bookend a TV stand, and are tied together at the top with a shelf.

In our poured basement I screwed 2x2's into the wall plates and ran them down to tie into the shelves at the top. Or I used a concrete nail gun and L brackets .. mostly I used the nail gun to emplace electrical boxes and braces for EMT when i ran power.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: GGD
Date: July 09, 2020 11:15AM
"Billy" just does NOT sound like an IKEA product name, is that it's USA nickname, and does it have some unpronounceable given name?
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 09, 2020 11:39AM
Quote
GGD
"Billy" just does NOT sound like an IKEA product name, is that it's USA nickname, and does it have some unpronounceable given name?

Good question.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: raz
Date: July 09, 2020 12:13PM
I've got a pair of Billy that are older than my kids (so 27+). For about 17 of those, I built the lower half into dresser drawers. Then, when the kid moved out, back into bookshelves.

As long as the particle board doesn't get wet or compromised, they'll last forever.



--------------

Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 09, 2020 02:26PM
Quote
raz
I've got a pair of Billy that are older than my kids (so 27+). For about 17 of those, I built the lower half into dresser drawers. Then, when the kid moved out, back into bookshelves.

As long as the particle board doesn't get wet or compromised, they'll last forever.

I'm wondering if should do anything to get them off the floor just a litle bit just in case the floor would get damp. The basement is dry. However, if the gutters get knocked off (kids... grrrr...) the floor in those "may" get damp. so, maybe 1x1 to get them off the tile floor would help.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: N-OS X-tasy!
Date: July 09, 2020 02:45PM
Another fan of the BILLY bookcase here.



It is what it is.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: jdc
Date: July 09, 2020 04:26PM
If I remember correctly, they come with screw in adjustable feet. Could easily raise them up.





Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: d4
Date: July 10, 2020 07:25AM
Quote
spacescape
I'm wondering if should do anything to get them off the floor just a litle bit just in case the floor would get damp. The basement is dry. However, if the gutters get knocked off (kids... grrrr...) the floor in those "may" get damp. so, maybe 1x1 to get them off the tile floor would help.



The weight of the Billy bookcase is all on the left and right side-boards. The bottom edge of the sideboards that sit on the floor is a raw, unfinished particle board edge that will suck up moisture like a sponge. There are no feet to the bookcase. If you want to raise it off the floor, maybe jury rig a platform of sorts with lengths of square aluminum tubing to get it up off the floor. Just be 100% certain it is completely stabilized and anchored to the back wall since the aluminum will be "slippery".



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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: Robert M
Date: July 10, 2020 07:38AM
Space,

Dollar for dollar, Ikea Billy bookcases are amazing. Ikea designed them with a slew of options which makes them amazingly versatile. Different types of doors. Different lengths. Different heights. Lighting. You name it. The fact that they're under 12" deep makes them great for apartments. Billy bookcases will hold up nicely as long as you don't overload them and as long as they stay dry. They do not come with adjustable feet.

You have to anchor them to the wall. It isn't a bad idea to anchor them to each other. I put felt sliders on the bottom of the bookcases. The reasons were twofold. The first was to prevent them from damaging the wood floor. The second was to make them very easy to move when they day arrived that I sold the apartment and either took them with me or if the new owner didn't want them and I had to remove them. Turns out, when I sold the place the new owner kept the bookcases exactly where I'd placed them. The new owner after that removed them.

How is the overall humidity in the basement? You may have to take steps to reduce the humidity if you plan to spend any time in it. I know this doesn't have anything to do with the question but I figured I'd mention it anyway.

Robert
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: d4
Date: July 10, 2020 08:22AM
Quote
Robert M
How is the overall humidity in the basement? You may have to take steps to reduce the humidity if you plan to spend any time in it. I know this doesn't have anything to do with the question but I figured I'd mention it anyway.

He should be fine with any basement humidity. I have a Billy bookcase in my basement that gets very humid in the summer and after rain. It's been down there for over 7 years. No problem whatsoever.



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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: NewtonMP2100
Date: July 10, 2020 05:54PM
.....Billy....goat......gruff......



_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 10, 2020 08:40PM
Basement has a humidifier going in the summer and is pretty dry...
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 11, 2020 08:29AM
Now, my biggest issue is making sure they are in stock before driving an hour to get them. I wish Ikea allowed you to purchase for delivery and they contact you when they are ready. I'd usually love to spend a few hours at IKEA but right now I'd prefer to not hang out or stay for lunch. smiling smiley
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: NewtonMP2100
Date: July 16, 2020 09:36PM
.....make sure anchored.....a lot of those cases/dresser drawers were recalled due to dangers of falling over......



_____________________________________

I reject your reality and substitute my own!
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Re: Ikea Billy Bookcases... Any good???
Posted by: spacescape
Date: July 17, 2020 06:32AM
Quote
NewtonMP2100
.....make sure anchored.....a lot of those cases/dresser drawers were recalled due to dangers of falling over......

Agreed. I might but a 2 x 2 anchored to the wall and attach the shelves to that.
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