Where to cut the Particleboard shelf.

[Neetz]

Hi all,

I am planning to buy a shelf from ikea. But i need to cut the top side to reduce the height to fix it in my wardrobe space.
Where can i get it cut at cheaper rates or it is possible to cut it.
Product details:-
Basematerial: Particleboard, Birch veneer, Clear acrylic lacquer
Back: Fibreboard, Foil

Product link : https://m.ikea.com/aa/en/catalog/products

Please anyone help me on this so that i can do it in my budget.
Thanks inadvance.
Neetz.

[Handyjack]

Your link is coming up as an error for me.

If it is a solid piece you could cut it yourself without problems. If the piece is hollow, you can still cut it, but it may cause problems with stability if it needs any fittings into or through it.

Sorry, unable to help further. Near what city/town/state are you?

[Neetz]

Thanks for the information...
Actually its a bookcase shelf sold by ikea. Its not hollow.
I don't have cutting tools.
That's y asked where i can cut it cheaply.
I asked 3 bunnings stores here but they won't do cutting for outside items. Btw,
I am staying in Joondanna, perth.

Try this link.
https://www.ikea.com/aa/en/catalog/products/90351871/?preferedui=desktop

[ian]

Can I clarify
you have an existing wardrobe that, internally, is something less than 203 cm high.
you want to fit some shelves to the wardrobe, and think that using an Ikea Billy bookcase is the way to go.

oh, and you have no cutting tools, so ideally someone on here will volunteer to do the cutting for you.

[Christos]

Firstly welcome to the forum.

If I was going to do this then I would just purchase a hand saw mark out what I needed to cut and proceed with cutting the pieces. As I do not know what pieces are attached to each other I am guessing that after cutting the pieces and to ensure that it is still ridge I may need to screw the sides to the upper top shelf or shelves. To ensure that I do not split the chipboard with the screws I would pre-drill the holes.

[old1955]

Welcome to the forum.

[Handyjack]

Easy to cut with a saw. Best to use circular saw with a track or straight edge. You will need to replicate any holes you cut off. If doing it yourself be aware of chipping and use scrap a approriate to minimise chipping. If possible cut both sides together. The amount you take off the sides will also need to be taken off the back.

Try a cabinet/kitchen maker. Again they may say if not bought there, they will not cut but worth trying.

If you were closer (Melbourne) I would be happy to help, unfortunately you appear to be on the otherside of the country.

[ian]

Easy to cut with a saw. Best to use circular saw with a track or straight edge. You will need to replicate any holes you cut off. If doing it yourself be aware of chipping and use scrap a approriate to minimise chipping. If possible cut both sides together. The amount you take off the sides will also need to be taken off the back.

Try a cabinet/kitchen maker. Again they may say if not bought there, they will not cut but worth trying.

If you were closer (Melbourne) I would be happy to help, unfortunately you appear to be on the otherside of the country.
As you say, a track saw (or full size table saw) is probably the cleanest and easiest way to do the job, but the OP doesn't have any cutting tools, so in the main I think the basis of the OP's question is -- Is there someone in Perth who is willing to cut down a piece of Ikea furniture so that the OP can use it as shelving inside an existing wardrobe.

Just a "warning" being Ikea, the structural strength is typically in the knock down connections at the top, middle and bottom of the box, with the whole construction stiffened by the back piece. After shortening the box sides, replicating the holes for the knock-down fasteners will be a challenge for the inexperienced.

[Neetz]

Hi ian,
Thanks for ur great time and insights.

I didn't meant anyone to come my home and do it free for me.
I am ready to go nearby helping people and i am ready to pay charges and usually i don't enjoy free if its a result of some effort by somebody.
I am asking because i am new here and i just migrated here. So i don't have much idea about these little things. In my country, manual labour is cheap, you can walk to some shops and get it done for few bucks. You don't have to buy the big cutting tool to do just one thing.

I hope this clarified your concerns.
Thank you.

[ian]

Hi Neetz
Currently your post will be seen by many as a request "how should I cut particle board"

Can I suggest you re-post your request under the heading "WANTED Perth -- person to resize Ikea book shelf" .

There's a section for that sort of thing, here http://www.woodworkforums.com/f228

[Neetz]

Hi ian,

It was an enquiry too.. That, is it possible to cut a readymade product to desired size as it is not a firm wood.
Anyway i changed my plan to buy something shorter in length.
I am afraid to take the risk.

Thanks a lot for all your suggestions, ideas and helping hands out there. Its glad to know that, people are so helpful in Australia.
Regards,
Neetz.

[Neetz]

Please help how to stop this post.

[crowie]

G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Neetz".
There are quite a good few members in and around Perth with a stack members across the rest of the country.....
As you've found out there are a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
Enjoy the forum.
Enjoy your woodwork......
Cheers crowie

PS - Keep an eye out for a get together in Perth area forum members.
Great way to met & make friends.

[P.W.H.]

I would strongly discourage you from cutting (letting some one cut) that material with a handsaw: it will shred the veneer.

What Ian said about the knockdown fittings is very relevant: they state the unit has adjustable shelves which means
that other than the top, nothing is holding that unit together. Once you cut the top off, it will go 'splat'.

So, it's not just a matter of cutting it down, it's also necessary to think about replacing/retro-fitting something that can take over from the
removed top part to hold the sides of the unit together.

best of luck -P.

[Neetz]

Ya i thought about it seriously after these suggestions P. W.H. and I dropped the idea. Yeah..it will collapse if the top is chopped.
Thanks for the thought P. W. H
And all other's valuable information.

[Neetz]

Oh woww that's great. Crowie.
Cheers..

[JJF]

welcome to the forum

[Neetz]

Thank you jjf

[tonzeyd]

Hi Neetz,

Welcome to the forum.

From what you've asked you clearly have a certain amount of OCD in your blood. Also given that your 28 the best thing i can say is start buying some quality tools now and learn how to use them safely.

The bonus being you get to make your own stuff using whatever materials you so choose (or if you must modify Ikea stuff yourself).

Depending on what you plan on doing/making the collection of tools you require isn't that expensive and if looked after will last forever.

Plus if things do go wrong there are loads of knowledgeable people here to help you out.

[Neetz]

Oh my god.. I can't believe that i have ocd. But when I read the ocd definition and article in Google, it seems i have it.
At what point you came to know that i have ocd.
Please explain..
I need to know more about this.