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Replacing cabinet handles, but holes are slightly off

2 years ago

Is there any easy way to replace our current drawer pulls (thin gold handle), with drawer pulls where the hole is slightly off (thicker bronze handle with arrow pointing to it)? Unfortunately I cannot find any other handles that would fit the existing holes and I don't want to drill additional holes into the drawers. This one is so close. I called a machine shop to see what could be done but since the existing hole is so close, drilling another hole would end up making a larger oval shaped hole. The new handle is made of zinc alloy.



Comments (11)

  • 2 years ago

    Get a really good metal tape mearure. Measure from center of hole to the center of the other hole. It may be in inches, but is probably mm.

    HU-167573585 thanked Sherry8aNorthAL
  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Just drill new holes in the drawers! They are yours, and the new pull will cover them. I would glue a chopstick or something in the old hole to keep your drill from migrating.

    HU-167573585 thanked HALLETT & Co.
  • 2 years ago

    I would return them, and look for new ones. Most pulls, are standard between holes, so they should fit. I wouldnt want to drill more holes in my cabinets either, and my cabinets are not new ones.

    HU-167573585 thanked cat_ky
  • 2 years ago

    Enlarge the hole. You don't need to glue anything into the existing hole, just use a jig that will guide the drill bit. Then use a washer on the backside so the screw doesn't pull through.

    Don't worry about drilling more holes. They will be covered both on the front (by the new handle) and the back (by the washer).

    HU-167573585 thanked catbuilder
  • 2 years ago

    Unfortunately I cannot find any other handles that would fit the existing holes and I don't want to drill additional holes into the drawers.

    Maybe, probably one of the pulls is metric center to center hole spacing and the other is not. Determine the C-C measurement of the old existing. And look for hardware that has C-C spacing in that system of measurement. That is the only way to avoid drilling new holes.

    FWIW, I don't think the new pulls look all that different enough from the old ones to be worth the trouble of replacing old w/ new.

    HU-167573585 thanked ci_lantro
  • 2 years ago

    Depending on the center to center measurement you may be able to find adjustable pulls that will work with the current holes.
    Just one example:

    Franklin Brass Bar Adjusta-Pull™ Cabinet Pull, Champagne Bronze, 1-3/8 in-6-5/16 in (35mm/160mm) Adjustable Drawer Handle, 5 Pack, P44365-CZ-B https://a.co/d/2wqL6lr

    HU-167573585 thanked chicagoans
  • 2 years ago

    ^^^ sorry on my phone and I don’t think the link copied correctly. Also can’t edit. Sigh.

    HU-167573585 thanked chicagoans
  • 2 years ago

    I have to agree with ci_lantro, they really are not that much different, and wont look that much different on your cabinets. Just keep the existing ones, and avoid the hassle and expense of changing them. The old ones look like nice ones.

    HU-167573585 thanked cat_ky
  • PRO
    2 years ago

    Ream the hole in the cabinet door/drawer larger. 2 minutes a pull and the handle covers the elongated hole. No washers needed.

    HU-167573585 thanked Joseph Corlett, LLC
  • 2 years ago
    last modified: 2 years ago

    Order a set of drawer stretchers from Amazon. If it were the other way around,ie screw holes in pull were less center to center than holes in drawers you would want to order a handle stretcher. Be very carful while using these tools because if you over do it drawer shrinkers and handle compressors have been on backorder since the onset of Covid.

    HU-167573585 thanked klem1