After assembling hundreds of pieces of furniture across Alexandria, I can tell you the wobble almost always comes from the same three mistakes. The good news: all three are easy to avoid.
Mistake 1: Tightening as You Go
The most common error. People tighten each bolt as they install it, which means the pieces can't self-align later. Assemble everything hand-tight first, check alignment, then do a final tightening pass. This alone eliminates most wobble.
Mistake 2: Skipping the Cam Locks
- →Cam locks look like they don't matter — they're the real structural connection
- →Most people under-rotate them. They need a full 180° turn to lock properly
- →If a cam lock won't rotate easily, the dowel isn't fully seated — back up and reseat before forcing it
Mistake 3: Not Checking the Floor
If the floor is uneven, even a perfectly assembled piece will wobble. Use leveling feet if they're included. If not, a thin felt pad under the low corner is a quick fix.
Have furniture waiting in boxes? I assemble it correctly — no wobble, no leftover parts.