So, I spent 5 hours today, assemblying an Amazon bought kitchen island.

[OAITW r.2.0]

Price was right and it had 2 hidden 10 gallon containers. I bought 2, to hide the trash, disposables, recycling, and dog food.

It took a long time with hard to read instructions. I'd have paid a $1 more for larger pages. 8 x 11 with details on assembly fixturing. Because now, I need to order a critical replacement component to put the damn thing together. Just moving the 4 panel assembly off the table tore out the assembly screws. "Composite Wood". More like composite cardbord.

Anyways. I have another exact kit with the replacement I need. I still need to get the part replaced to build the second Island. Just another shitty day here.

I wish there was a business where I could buy the kit, have it shipped to an assembly house and they deliver it finished. I'd definitively would have considered this option.

[magicarpet]

1. Should of,...

... bought it....

when I saw it...

at Ikea.

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. There was a time, when I lived 10 minutes away from an IKEA show room in MA. I bet they had what I was looking for.

Never thought to check.

But I wonder how many people have problems with assembling products that need to ship in the most space saving configurations? I had 300 pcs of hardware in this kit. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined, know how do read drawings, CAD files, and manufacturing process sheets. But, trying to understand the assemble of the pre-assembled parts is pretty much impossible. Gonna hope there is a video out there that can help me put this together. Also need 2, possibly 4 extra hands to mange this part of the assembly process. That will take planning.

[Kali]

3. do you have task rabbit in your area?

https://www.taskrabbit.com/
hmmm says something about affiliation with ikea...???

I know someone who uses them for all kinds of stuff like that...I am a do it myselfer and I live in the middle of nowhere so that kind of service is not available to me (can't even get my car detailed without driving 60 miles and then having to wait around for 2 hours)

[Silent Type]

4. I've bought many shelving units, especially back when Scandinavian was popular. They all were shaky

and I had to build braces or jam them up against wall to keep them from shifting. Had to wire one together with turnbuckles.

Good luck.

[OAITW r.2.0]

5. I am not impressed with the structural integrity of the components.

To put this together properly, you need multiple hands and a support system