Stolmen and Ekby compression bookshelf system

Step 3 Threaded leveling mounts

Ikea's built-in Stolmen tube ends use a metric(?) size bolt described as an M12 x 1.75.  (Vocab tip:  the second number in these thread descriptions is the 'pitch' or frequency of the ridges on the bolt and is essential to the project.)  With the option to pick new tube ends, I decided to use a more standard 1/2" - 13 thread.  However, that meant I needed complementary feet at different thread sizes.

 

I chose S&W's "Glide Rite" series.  They come in both thread sizes and can easily handle the load requirements.  They look perfectly decent, too.  Mine came with hard, white plastic pads which work just fine and don't scuff the floor or ceiling.

 

M12 x 1.75 leveling mount:  $4.75 each

1/2" - 13 leveling mount:  $2.83 each

Comments

[Berkana]

 You see that gap between the floor and the bottom of the pole? That's what I'm talking about. Close that gap; the pole should be resting directly on the feet. If you don't, that plastic end piece where the bolt is threaded through will fatigue and fail within a year. It can't take the sustained weight of a load of books.

[tiffehr]

 Ah!  Good call.  I do need to reinforce them.  Now that I have my books up, it gives me a better idea of the weight involved.  I'm going to get replacement tube-ends for the bottom, I think.  It's hard to tell from my mobile phone photos but there's a 'locking' nut between the bottom foot and the tube-end.  So that would be the weight-bearing part, which is still not wide enough should the plastic fail. 

Thanks for adding your concerns!  Very, very helpful.

[Berkana]

 My suggestion is to not rely on the locking nut; let the foot rest entirely on the end cap, and extend the tube upwards to lock it in place, rather than extending that bolt downwards to push the rest of the tube up.

[tiffehr]

So now I have a 1/4"-thick metal washer standing in for a new tube end, in the meantime.   Before I added the washers, there didn't seem to be any ill effects on the plastic tube end (yet) but it was a mere month.  

I also have at least one more entire shelf of books that need a home.  May turn that into a supplemental project on here, depending on how ambitious I get.

[scorby]

I would like to second (and 3rd and 4th) what Berkana said, for exactly the same reason.  I learned the hard way, LFMF.