The Four Causes of Wobble
A wobbly piece of furniture isn't defective — it's misassembled. After thousands of builds, we see the same four causes every time.
1. Uneven Floor, Not Uneven Furniture
In NYC, the floor is usually the culprit. Before blaming the build, slide a piece of paper under each leg. The one that the paper slides under is the short leg — shim it or use a leveler.
2. Cam Locks Not Fully Rotated
A cam lock has to rotate a full 180° to lock. Most people stop at the first resistance, around 120°. The joint looks tight but isn't, and the piece racks under load. A pro feels the click.
3. Frame Assembled Upright
Any large piece built standing up twists under its own weight. Assemble flat on the floor, face down, then stand it up. This single habit eliminates most wobble.
4. Missing or Misplaced Dowels
Dowels align the panels and carry shear load. A joint without its dowel will flex and eventually fail, even if the cam lock is tight.
The Permanent Fix
Disassemble the wobbly joint, reinstall any missing dowels, tighten the cam fully, and re-level on the floor. If it still wobbles, the panel is warped — contact the retailer for a replacement.
Tired of the wobble? Book a NYC pro who builds it solid the first time.
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