If you're really skilled with a diamond bladed grinder, you could grind the screw head off with little cabinet damage.

Wayne nailed it.

And when you re-mount the knob, make sure that the screw is the right length. Sometimes a screw will bottom out in the knob just slightly before it is tight enough. The way to check the length is to screw the screw fully into the knob before mounting it (don't over-tighten), and then compare the exposed length of thread to the door thickness. You want this distance to be slightly less than the door thickness so you can get it tight and not have it bottom out. If your screws are too long and the next shorter length is too short, then you'll have to shorten the existing screws a wee bit with a bench grinder or other tool.

@Wayne Emerson I don’t own vise-grips but I can probably use a locking wrench. So the vertical bar screws off. So I tried to hold the horizon bar with pliers on my leather man and screw it but the I was faced with a stripped screw. So I will try the wrench.

@kudzu9 So the knobs came with two screws and the short one is still too long. So what other tool can be used to shorten the screws?

Janessa-

Unfortunately, since you don’t seem to have much in the way of even basic tools, I can’t make suggestions on shortening the screw that you would be able to do. I can only suggest you go to the hardware store and see if you can find something the right size. Sorry...

@kudzu9 You don‘t know my skill set and you don’t know my construction building background. You don’t know what tools I have. I have handled many a saws and I can go to my hardware store and I can research the tools that you would have recommended. But Thanks for being so helpful. 😃

You can put the screw in a vice and saw it carefully with a hacksaw. However, most hardware stores will have an identical screw that is already shorter, and thats the easiest way to do it. I just bought 7 of them, and they are easy to find.

Anyone with basic construction knowledge would know what it takes to shorten a screw.. You can cut a screw if you chose then you have the damaged threads at the cut to deal with or get screws that are specifically made to be cut but at that point just get the correct size.

" You don‘t know my skill set and you don’t know my construction building background."

I would have made the exact same assumption as kudzu9 as the question you asked is so basic it would "normally" only come from someone with no DIY ability or equipment. If your going to ask for free advice on the internet you need to learn to get a thicker skin and how to gloss over replies you do not find helpful. Basically advice over the internet can be worth exactly what you paid for it or it can be invaluable. All in how you approach and accept said advise.

Ok...if you want to try to shorten it, get a nut that matches the thread and thread it all the way on so it’s tight against the head. Clamp the nut in a vise and shorten the screw with a fine tooth hacksaw blade. Use a fine file to put a slight bevel on the newly cut end of the screw. Then remove the nut: it may be a little difficult right at the end as it re-forms the damaged thread at the tip.

Or buy yourself a visegrip to hold the screw-and-nut assembly and use a bench grinder to shorten the screw; then file the end and remove the nut.

Or buy a proper length screw if you don’t have these tools.

@millworkman the question is so basic because it’s for people who actually want to help and not assume my skill set. And insult me.

To all my HATERS ( you know who you are) I got it out with tools pictured below and to all my supporters thank you so very much. #stillahandywoman

I am so proud of how far I've come in learning how to fix things in my home ever since my husband passed a few years ago. In fact, I would go so far as to say I have surpassed him in some areas lol.

But all along my journey, I knew to be humble and grateful for any help I received, simply because I knew how important that advice was for me to know and how valuable an online person's time was as they were sparing it just to answer my newbie questions.

However, I would have def ceased interacting with anyone back then who had intentionally disrespected me. But thankfully, that never happened.

And guess what, it never happened to you here, either.

It's just tools, girl! So why is your ego so tied up with how many tools some rando online thinks you do or do not have, or how much experience you may or may not have with them? You seriously need to go take a chill pill, then go eat some humble pie, because you will never learn zilch from anyone if you continue to be this ridiculous.

You're welcome.

Junebug