****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This is the first product I have ever reviewed and I buy a lot of stuff. I absolutely love this bookcase! It is nowhere near as difficult to put together as some reviews have indicated. I highly recommend "pre-assembling" this on the floor exactly as it looks in the picture. We had everything lined up perfectly before we put the first drop of glue and the first dowel in. Another reviewer has a very useful pic with all 21 boards labeled. I couldn't print out her pic but you can mark the letters onto the picture on the cover of the instructions, (or print out the main image for the product and mark it.) This is the single most helpful thing you can do, (thanks Miranda Z!)The instructions are not bad but can be confusing. On the cover, the case is pictured as it is here, with the small square box on the bottom left. The instructions then reverse the picture on the last page. Also, if you wish to build it as it looks in the picture above, the nearly 6ft long left side panel needs to have holes in the middle of the board to accommodate shelf "F". The instructions say the left side panel is board "A" but the board with the holes about halfway down it's length was labeled as "B" in my box. So for me, I switched the sideboards "A" and "B" but otherwise went by Miranda's picture.Also, you will not run out of wood glue as long as you put one small drop into each dowel hole, that is all you need. (Do not put glue into the cam bolt holes!) We had a bit of glue left over. The four "C" boards, two "G" boards, and the four "I" and "J" boards are identical, just be sure to position them correctly. All you need to assemble this is a good Philips head screwdriver and maybe a rubber mallet to tap in the dowels, (and for an occasional light tap on the boards.) I haven't used the anti-tipping straps yet but I may later. This case is solid and sturdy and shouldn't go anywhere unless you have kids who try to grab hold of it. Each board is about 1 1/4" inch thick and the entire unit weighs about 80 pounds.It really goes together nicely if you take your time and pay attention to the picture. Every board fits flush and perfect. If you have trouble getting a board to go in flush, loosen the cam lock a bit. Also, when tightening the cam lock, push in slightly so that the lock "sits" into place.I just ordered my second one of these. I got both of mine in white, which has a very classy, clean look to it. This is easier to put together with some help, (my brother came over and gave me a hand), but one person could probably handle it. Put on some tunes, take your time, and you will love this when you are finished.
