Does anybody have any tips when working with Cams and Cam bolts?

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Does anybody have any tips when working with Cams and Cam bolts?

Finch

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#191446 4-Feb-2016 13:32

Hey guys, I bought a cheap $40 desk from the Warehouse. Just a cheap desk until I get sorted and upgrade. Anyway, I'm trying to put the lid on but can't quite seem to work out how to work with the Cam bolts and Cam. Whenever I put the lid on top of the desk, the bolts fall down and I can barely twist the cam, the screws/bolts get stuck. Eventually with a bit of wiggling I can get them out.

So I can't seem to screw the lid down.

Any tips? I've tried doing one at a time, but can't quite seem to line it up perfectly and again, it just pushes the. Down.

Thanks!

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#1485199 4-Feb-2016 13:50

I thought this might be motoring question.

Have you tried inverting it (upside down) so that the bolts don't fall out and you can see what you're doing, then flipping it over the right way once you've assembled it?

frankv

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#1485202 4-Feb-2016 13:54

Work upside-down. Put the desktop on the floor and fit the other bits into it.

gedc

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#1485237 4-Feb-2016 14:58

If i think i know what you are describing and the cam isnt turning much to grab the bolt head...make sure the hole the cam sits in doesnt have any little chunks of chipboard in it.... Also make sure you havent screwed thr bolts in too tight to the underside of the desk,lid as this pulls the head of them away from the cam action

Ged

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#1485395 4-Feb-2016 18:15

i had this problem once (i think its the same), try unscrewing your bolts a little bit, they are probably too short.

Finch

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#1485476 4-Feb-2016 22:55

Holy Moly.

I spent about 10-15 mins doing the earlier steps and that's fine. I've probably spent about 2 hours now trying to work out these Cab Bolts. What a ridiculous piece of equipment.

I'm unsure how turning the desk upside down is going to help (I did try it though. Unless you can get all 4 bolts 100% perfectly lined up with the Top of the desk, they simply fall down.

Honestly, this is doing my head in. Major PITA.

The bolts aren't tight at all. When I start screwing one in, there's only a certain of length it will screw in before you have to start on the others. Then once you have started to screw them all in, you lift the lid up and it comes off straight away.

Like WTF? How are you supposed to screw it in, when it won't screw anymore?

Grrrrrrrrrr

gedc

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#1485479 4-Feb-2016 23:07

Just so we are clear and can help you. Are you talking about this type of cam bolt ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a6X-_q2vo0

I've no idea what you mean by the bolts fall down. One end is screwed into wood. The other is stuck in the hole by you on the end of a screwdriver. Either send us pics of the bolts you are talking about or try to explain the problem a bit more. Even with the warehouse factor, most flatpack stuff goes together okay.

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Finch

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#1485483 4-Feb-2016 23:26

gedc:
Just so we are clear and can help you. Are you talking about this type of cam bolt ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a6X-_q2vo0

I've no idea what you mean by the bolts fall down. One end is screwed into wood. The other is stuck in the hole by you on the end of a screwdriver. Either send us pics of the bolts you are talking about or try to explain the problem a bit more. Even with the warehouse factor, most flatpack stuff goes together okay.

Thanks for the reply. I'm on Mobile right now and data which is running a bit low which is why I haven't uploaded any pictures.

In regards to the "falling down", I put the bolts into the CAB, put the lid on top of the screw and either it won't be lined up correctly so it just squashes it down or I can begin screwing, but it won't screw for long, then you can just pull the lid off with no resistance at all and the bolts get stuck inside the Cabs which can either take a few seconds to get out or a few minutes. I've even bent the metal on one of the Cabs trying to get the bolt out with my screwdriver.

1eStar

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#1485493 4-Feb-2016 23:54

https://youtu.be/1QOgLeBZkyY

From 1m20s it talks about cam bolts

Jase2985

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#1485512 5-Feb-2016 05:15

really need pictures because it really does sound like you are doing something wrong

geoffwnz

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#1485623 5-Feb-2016 09:05

Finch:
gedc:

I've no idea what you mean by the bolts fall down. One end is screwed into wood. The other is stuck in the hole by you on the end of a screwdriver. Either send us pics of the bolts you are talking about or try to explain the problem a bit more. Even with the warehouse factor, most flatpack stuff goes together okay.

Thanks for the reply. I'm on Mobile right now and data which is running a bit low which is why I haven't uploaded any pictures.

In regards to the "falling down", I put the bolts into the CAB, put the lid on top of the screw and either it won't be lined up correctly so it just squashes it down or I can begin screwing, but it won't screw for long, then you can just pull the lid off with no resistance at all and the bolts get stuck inside the Cabs which can either take a few seconds to get out or a few minutes. I've even bent the metal on one of the Cabs trying to get the bolt out with my screwdriver.

I think I see the problem.

As per what gedc said, there are two parts. Screw the screw into the panel first. Then put the two parts together. It should slot into the hole provided for it which goes into the cam hole. Put the cam lock part into it's hole. Approx 1/4 turn will lock it.

MotorDrive Rallying

Jase2985

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#1485668 5-Feb-2016 09:47

really need to post a picture of what they look like, I think most are assuming they look like this:

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MikeAqua

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#1485696 5-Feb-2016 10:20

Whatever you do don't over tighten this types of screw. The head twists off quite easily - I learned this the hardway.

Jase2985:

Mike

Coil

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#1485716 5-Feb-2016 10:22

I do yes.

BTR

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#1485851 5-Feb-2016 12:16

Quick question and I know a lot of us blokes don't always do this but have you followed the instructions correctly as these bolts are very easy to use.....

Do you have a friend or neighbour that could possibly help you out?

Coil

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#1485890 5-Feb-2016 13:32

BTR:

Quick question and I know a lot of us blokes don't always do this but have you followed the instructions correctly as these bolts are very easy to use.....

Do you have a friend or neighbour that could possibly help you out?

usually a turn clockwise will lock them in..

Line the little arrows up with the hole in the board.

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