This is a sturdy unit, with adequate instructions, even for a novice (like me). It would be nice if the packet came with an extra screw in each size. My only other suggestion might be for Closet Maid to pre-stamp each piece with the "name" it is given in the instructions - especially in light of the fact that some boards are the same size, but have a different pattern of pre-drilled holes. You can see what I mean, below. I am a smart woman. People even tell me that, sometimes. Most don't know that I am terrible at "spatial ability" - I can't figure out how to put things (like puzzles) together very well. My brain just doesn't see that way. But today I un-boxed the shelving unit (some assembly required) I ordered in a fit of over-confidence while surfing the web at 2 a.m. a few weeks ago. I gathered my tools - a screwdriver and a hammer, just like the instructions told me to. I reviewed how many of every screw there was, and what they were called ("assembly" screw, that's an "assembly" screw -- I would even say it out loud to reinforce the concept). I counted the pre-cut, pre-drilled boards and stacked them neatly into piles by size. I bribed the 9 year-old to help gramma, and he did so willingly, at first. I got the side board connected to the top board, (or maybe it was the bottom board) and was feeling fairly proud of myself. But the instructions called for me to fit "short dowels" into pre-drilled holes in the top board (or maybe it was the bottom board). But the stupid dowels wouldn't fit! So I pulled out the instructions and realized I had picked up a horizontal divider when what I needed was a fixed shelf (same size but the dowels would fit into this one - who knew!). So I unscrewed the first two boards, and grabbed a post-it notepad and labeled ALL the boards - just in case. I had the 9-year old help me again hold the boards while I reattached the fixed shelf to the side board (or maybe it was a top board). Once again, when it came time to screw the top board (or maybe bottom?) to the vertical board, I realized there was no pre-drilled hole! The 9-year old had the best view (and better vision) and noticed immediately that the pre-drilled hole was on the wrong side. So we detached the screws (again) and turned the board around (I was so sure I had it right this time, too.) And the re-screwing was far quicker. But... you guessed it, I had the finished side (only one of the four sides was finished) pointing the wrong direction... so we backtracked. Again. Eventually, the 9-year old wandered off to play with his brother. He told me I should be more careful. Duly noted. And I urged him to keep that play appointment in the other room - pronto. So, with careful re-reading of the instructions (in three languages!) and diligence with the post-it notes (that kept sliding off the slick finish), I continued to assemble the shelf-unit. With only one near amputation when the "real wood!" board (probably that stupid fixed shelf, or maybe it was the vertical divider) slid out of my grip and landed faint millimeters from my toe. That board was heavy, too! It even shook the house! Of course it did. Anyway, I counted and there were precisely eighteen "assembly screws" and not one more and not one less. I guarded them with my life, counting before and after every potty break and coffee run. Finally, with the unit mostly assembled, I came to the "backing" (which turned out to be a folded piece of cardboard-hey, what happened to the "real wood"?). And it turned out, there were only three, despite the fact there were six openings. And now you know my sense of "style" is as absent as my spatial ability. Covering only three of the six squares provides a unique "look" - at least to all non-OCD customers. Nevertheless, I persisted. Each piece of folded cardboard was nailed down with, I kid you not, 12 teeny pin-like nails, called "nails" in the instructions (Ciou, Ciavo, Nail - that whole 3 languages thing). And these things were designed by an absolute 4-star genius. Imagine the amount of research it must have taken to size these pins to the exact the depth of my thumb! I was in awe. Because that precision measurement resulted in me not being able to even "start" the nail without slamming into my thumb. Thirty-six times, if you don't count all the ones that fell out before I could get the nail stabilized. I checked for "hacks to avoid hitting your thumb" on my phone, after only five or six nails (I told you I was smart) and discovered that you can hold a nail between the teeth of your comb (or your husband's comb, if he is not at home). Bonus, as you are pounding the bejabbers out of everything in the vicinity of your microscopic nail-pin, the comb appears to act as a protective agent for the shelf (or maybe it was the horizontal divider). The comb, however, did turn out to be mostly a total loss. But I did it. I assembled a "some assembly required" shelving unit and it only took me six hours. PS - you may need ice for the finger you forgot to move during the flailing/so-called hammering you did prior to the comb hack. PPS - and save the ice because it turns out that all those boards nailed together are far heavier than the single board that missed your toe earlier. Enjoy!
