To expect IKEA helpline person to have built more than one item themselves?

[NearlyGranny]

I have probably built upwards of 50 self-assembly items over the years and never before been defeated. Yesterday I built the salladskål plant rack for DS who is not terribly handy. It's a tall stepladder type structure with pierced metal tray shelves for plant troughs instead of steps. All was fine until I tried screwing the trays to the legs using the tiny self-tappers provided. They just won't drive straight and keep jamming at wrong angles! I have tried blu-tack on the end of the screwdriver, driving the screws into a bar of soap to lubricate them and reaming out the pre-drilled holes with a slightly bigger woodscrew, but have only managed to get one of the 20 screws driven securely home. I'm scared of stripping the slots if I force them (phillips heads).

In desperation I called the (Australia) helpline which I've never resorted to before in either country.

A nice young woman asked me how I was trying to put the screws in: erm, with a screwdriver?! Carefully? Patiently? Hopefully? With rapidly diminishing confidence? What was the right answer? Did she think I was using a table knife or a 5c coin?

It turned out her training for the rôle involved hands-on building ONE item herself. AIBU to feel that was inadequate preparation?

And does anyone have any tips apart from waiting until DH is free to use his powerful man-hands to force the bastards in? Even if I had a power driver there isn't room to get it angled right. I so hate feeling feeble and incompetent. Didn't lose my temper though. 🙃

Look for a YouTube video...I had to do this recently for a sliding drawer from IKEA.

Do you have one of those little ikea screwdrivers? They make life really easy

Ikeas stuff is easier to put up, once you've done one they all go up a similar way from chairs to chest of drawers. So no not really iim not overly surprised they havent built tons of stuff, it's mainly about realising how the instructions work

Stupid easy mistakes to check Are you sure all the panels are the right way round, thats usually it if youre struggling with self tapping screws, otherwise make sure what your "tapping" into is on the flat and youre screwing downwards. You probably are doing these anywat vut if i was struggling id check those things first

I’ve got that stand. I bought it to use at craft shows, but it’s a pain in the arse to put together.
I replaced it.

I did check for help on YouTube, but no dice. I don't have an IKEA screwdriver though, will look into getting one. Furniture etc usually goes together like a dream so I tend to see myself as reasonably competent. Not this time!

I have been working with the frame upright, Volcanion, as per instructions, but will lay the whole thing on its side so as to be screwing downwards - thanks!

Neddle, that's a useful insight! I'm going to look carefully at the display one when next I go, to see if it's gone together sweetly. 😉

I had this and split the wood so returned it.

It's all metal, anon!