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What is the purpose of this silver circle when building Ikea sofa (picture inside)

BoyardBoyard Posts: 5,393
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in Advice #1
http://s16.postimg.org/ub36q5qad/ikea.jpg

I screwed four of the long things in to the base of a sofa to keep it together but forgot to screw on the silver circles which were meant to go at the end of the long thing!! :(:(:( What is their purpose and is it essential I screw them back in? The base feels very secure and sturdy? I can't help but feel it'll be worse for it to unscrew them all and add the circles what with wood potentially cracking etc... they're screwed in quite tight.

Thanks! I'm really useless with DIY as I'm sure you can tell. :kitty:
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    ChickenWingsChickenWings Posts: 2,057
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    #2
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washer_(hardware)

    How on earth do you not know what a washer is?
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    ILoveMyDogILoveMyDog Posts: 26,315
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    #3
    It's a washer
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    BoyardBoyard Posts: 5,393
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    #4
    Thank you! :blush: Should I unscrew them all and start over? :(
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    WizsisterWizsister Posts: 481
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    #5
    Boyard wrote: »
    Thank you! :blush: Should I unscrew them all and start over? :(
    Yes. Yes you should.
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    RevengaRevenga Posts: 11,321
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    #6
    Boyard wrote: »
    Thank you! :blush: Should I unscrew them all and start over? :(
    Wizsister wrote: »
    Yes. Yes you should.

    Immediately. For the love of god, hurry! :o
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    ChickenWingsChickenWings Posts: 2,057
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    #7
    I'd do them now. Stuff like this can't wait until morning. So unsafe!
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    BoyardBoyard Posts: 5,393
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    #8
    Serious answers only please.
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    Raquelos.Raquelos. Posts: 7,734
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    #9
    Boyard wrote: »
    Serious answers only please.

    :D Yes you should probably unscrew them and put the washers on. No it isn't urgent. It won't be the end of the world if you don't bother at all.
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    jannajanna Posts: 7,323
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    #10
    Awe bless .
    Just undo the long things (bolts) and add the washers when you get the time .
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    AvidianAvidian Posts: 6,049
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    #11
    Boyard wrote: »
    http://s16.postimg.org/ub36q5qad/ikea.jpg

    I screwed four of the long things in to the base of a sofa to keep it together but forgot to screw on the silver circles which were meant to go at the end of the long thing!! :(:(:( What is their purpose and is it essential I screw them back in? The base feels very secure and sturdy? I can't help but feel it'll be worse for it to unscrew them all and add the circles what with wood potentially cracking etc... they're screwed in quite tight.

    Thanks! I'm really useless with DIY as I'm sure you can tell. :kitty:
    :D:D:D:blush:
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    Jimmy ConnorsJimmy Connors Posts: 117,910
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    #12
    The purpose of the silver circle (washer) is to stop the long thing (bolt) from pulling through the wood. The washer helps to distribute the pressure of the bolt more evenly.

    I would use them OP. :)
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    Mumof3Mumof3 Posts: 4,529
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    #13
    Are we still at DefCon 3 or can we downgrade this crisis yet to a 4?
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    smudges dadsmudges dad Posts: 36,989
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    #14
    Mumof3 wrote: »
    Are we still at DefCon 3 or can we downgrade this crisis yet to a 4?

    Can I just check whether a disaster has been averted? The second earthquake in Rutland is more than a coincidence!
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    bri160356bri160356 Posts: 5,147
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    #15
    Jimmy Connors wrote: »
    The purpose of the silver circle (washer) is to stop the long thing (bolt) from pulling through the wood. The washer helps to distribute the pressure of the bolt more evenly.

    I would use them OP. :)

    OP as above; you absolutely MUST remove the bolts and fit the washers.

    Otherwise your legs may go all wobbly and fall off;.... the sofas' legs, not yours. Seriously! :o
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    Compton_scatterCompton_scatter Posts: 2,711
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    #16
    Obviously a wind up post. I've known what a washer (and bolt, who calls them long things??) is from the age of about 8 I reckon and even if you didn't know, the Ikea instructions would have said to use the washer with the bolt (i.e., place the "silver circle" through the "long thing" in the form of a diagram) so why didn't you?
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    John_PatrickJohn_Patrick Posts: 924
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    #17
    Compton_scatter wrote: »
    Obviously a wind up post. I've known what a washer (and bolt, who calls them long things??) is from the age of about 8 I reckon and even if you didn't know, the Ikea instructions would have said to use the washer with the bolt (i.e., place the "silver circle" through the "long thing" in the form of a diagram) so why didn't you?

    Actually, most Ikea instructions are a series of pictures with a stupid man pointing.... and ticks and crosses on them to say what to/not what to do.

    Even an idiot could follow them....

    Oh, hold on a moment....
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    Mumof3Mumof3 Posts: 4,529
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    #18
    Are we in a Bravo Zulu situation yet? OP, please confirm.
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    bspacebspace Posts: 14,303
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    #19
    and no one has yet helpfully pointed out the difference between a circle and a disc
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    RadiomaniacRadiomaniac Posts: 43,510
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    #20
    Lol @ 'long things' and 'silver circles'. :D

    And I thought I was daft about such things!
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    BoyardBoyard Posts: 5,393
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    #21
    Compton_scatter wrote: »
    Obviously a wind up post. I've known what a washer (and bolt, who calls them long things??) is from the age of about 8 I reckon and even if you didn't know, the Ikea instructions would have said to use the washer with the bolt (i.e., place the "silver circle" through the "long thing" in the form of a diagram) so why didn't you?

    The instructions don't have any writing on or name the bits and pieces. Just pictures of little men. The washers weren't very clear in it. Ikea should include text as well as pictures.

    Anyway I will take it apart and start over tonight just in case. :cry:
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    L_SilverwolfL_Silverwolf Posts: 770
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    #22
    Were these the instructions? :confused:

    http://i.imgur.com/AYApW.jpg
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    SupratadSupratad Posts: 10,450
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    #23
    Hang on, how did you take the picture of the bolt and washer prior to assembly, if the problem of left-over washers only came to light at the end?
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    IcaraaIcaraa Posts: 6,068
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    #24
    Supratad wrote: »
    Hang on, how did you take the picture of the bolt and washer prior to assembly, if the problem of left-over washers only came to light at the end?

    They usually put in some spares.
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    Compton_scatterCompton_scatter Posts: 2,711
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    #25
    Icaraa wrote: »
    They usually put in some spares.

    Not in my experience of assembling numerous Ikea items.
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    BoyardBoyard Posts: 5,393
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    #26
    Supratad wrote: »
    Hang on, how did you take the picture of the bolt and washer prior to assembly, if the problem of left-over washers only came to light at the end?

    Because I'd put in 4 bolts for the base when I made the post but there was another 4 to attach the feet stands I'd not done yet. Anyway I took it apart and put them back in with the washers and it's all complete now. :D Thanks for your help! ^_^
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