Fortunately, the Sauder company has designed desks and created instructions which are very clear and easy to follow. But there are some time-saving (and frustration-sparing) tips to assembling a Sauder product quickly and correctly.
Preparing To Assemble The Kit
Prepare a large, clear floor area for assembly of the desk. Allow for about four times the amount of space that the desk will likely take up once it is assembled. Assembly on a hard floor surface is preferable to working on a carpeted surface. Gather the tools needed for assembly. Most Sauder kits require a Phillips head screwdriver (manual type, not electric), and a small tack hammer. A rubber mallet is also handy. Most Sauder kits come with any required Allen wrenches.
Taking Inventory
Open the packing box and remove all the parts and components. Remove the instruction manual and visually identify and inventory all the parts. If you find some parts are missing or incorrect, contact the Sauder company by phone directly. Don’t call the retail store where you purchased the desk: they won’t have replacement parts on hand and will be hesitant to replace parts from other boxed units. Sauder often ships replacement parts very quickly. Line up the wooden desk panels in order so you can identify them quickly. Note which side is the “front” side or “top” side of a panel.
Read the Instructions!
Read the instructions through at least once, referencing the parts described as you read and “rehearsing” the assembly process in your mind. Follow the directions precisely as provided in the Sauder guide. Sauder instructions are absolutely correct and the assembly steps are described in the exact order needed to successfully assemble the desk. Do not cut corners, skip steps, “work ahead” or use “mass production” techniques.
Assembling the Joints
Install any “cam” or "Twist Lock" joints or connectors according to the directions. Do not use too much force on these cams or any screws used in the assembly. Too much force will crack or break the particle board panel and ruin the panel entirely. There is no reliable “quick fix” for a broken Sauder desk panel. Tap some mortise and tenon joints, or wooden dowel pin joints into place using a rubber mallet, not a hammer. Tap gently to avoid breaking or smashing the dowel pins or tenon ends.
Allow No Leftovers
Use all of the hardware included in the kit. If you have any screws or brads remaining at the end of the assembly, something is wrong. Check to see where you may have skipped an assembly step and correct this mistake. Remember that all Sauder desks are precisely engineered and all the hardware provided in the kit is required to produce a sturdy desk.
Get Help
Have the help of an assistant, if possible, to help steady the work in progress or to lift the desk upright at the appropriate time. Avoid pulling or scooting a finished desk across a floor, by yourself, as this could loosen the joints or crack the particle board. If you have difficulty with the assembly, call the Sauder Help Line for assistance.
The Drip Cap
- Sauder assemble-it-yourself furniture products are attractive and sturdy and an economical solution for decorating needs.
- But there are some time-saving (and frustration-sparing) tips to assembling a Sauder product quickly and correctly.
- Most Sauder kits require a Phillips head screwdriver (manual type, not electric), and a small tack hammer.
- A rubber mallet is also handy.
- Open the packing box and remove all the parts and components.
- There is no reliable “quick fix” for a broken Sauder desk panel.
- Tap some mortise and tenon joints, or wooden dowel pin joints into place using a rubber mallet, not a hammer.
- If you have difficulty with the assembly, call the Sauder Help Line for assistance.