weird shelf fitting system (HELP!!!)

[grandad666]

Hi, I'm so new at this that I don't understand the way some shelves are fixed in the fitted wardrobes in the bedroom of my new house. There is nothing in view except two "screws" (see image) near the sides (underneath for some shelves, above for others). Except these are not screws: they can rotate half turn only. Turning clockwise tightens the connection, turning anti-clockwise loosens it but still the shelf cannot be removed. There is nothing visible from the outside, how on earth does this fitting system work, how do I remove a shelf??

View media item 23671

 

[Monkeh]

They're these: http://www.manufacturer.com/images/buyLeads/www.alibaba.com/1120/a/eccentric_CAM_dowel.jpg

You will not be able to remove the shelf without disassembling the wardrobe, and you probably don't want to; it's a structural shelf.

 

[Steve]

To clarify, the "long bit" in those photos screws into the side of the wardrobe. They have a "knob" on the end. The cam in the shelf (the visible part) tightens onto this when you turn it, and pulls it tight.

Thus there is no way to remove the shelf without actually somehow pulling the sides of the wardrobe apart.

But without the shelf the wardrobe may be very unstable - if the shelf were not important it would be sat on pegs.