Asked on Aug 8, 2020
Reduce screw length on drawer handles?
I have bought some drawer handles which are fine but the shaft which slots through drawer hole is too long. How do I cut through it for it to fit better?
I have bought some drawer handles which are fine but the shaft which slots through drawer hole is too long. How do I cut through it for it to fit better?
The first part of this link deals with what to do if the screw is too short, pass by that, then it will tell you 2 possible ways to fix your situation:
https://mellowmonkey.com/blogs/news/cabinet-knob-and-drawer-pull-installation-tips
I would cut the screw using heavy-duty wire cutters or a hacksaw.
Here's a post that might help you - https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/two-ways-to-fix-a-screw-thats-too-long/
Hi! ..a hacksaw will solve that issue! Easy peasy.
Glenys
Here are some ideas for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv-HEaYeKTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnDhkU6j0vQ
Hi Glenys if this is something that you will do a lot it might be worth investing in a Dremel. They are about a hundred dollars (in canada) and they cut through them easily and quickly. You might be able to borrow one from someone who refinishes furniture as well.
The safest and easiest thing would be to replace the screws with shorter ones. It won’t cost much either! Just figure out the length you need and take the long ones to the hardware store to match.
The screw is fixed to front of drawer knob
A dremel tool will make quick work of shortening the screw part of the drawer pulls. Harbor Freight Tools (if you have one in your area) has more inexpensive tools for those of us who don't use them excessively.
You can use a hacksaw or a grinder to shorten up those screws.
Put a nut on the screw before you cut it. Take the nut off after cutting. That will remove the burr as you remove it. It's sometimes impossible to get a nut or knob on the screw after cutting. You can also add washers inside the cabinet to get less thread sticking out.
Hello it could be hacksawed off but —-probably the safest thing to do would be to buy new screws. They cost very little.
The screw part and the drawer knob are one piece
I like the hammer method shown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibwxXS3gZKs
You can cut them with a metal cutter.
I would look into getting new screws or new handles. It's easier and safer, but more expensive.
Hi Glenys: It might be easier to buy shorter screws:) One more thing, put a washer between the screw and the wood to keep the screw from eating into the wood. Good luck
Upon rereading my answer, it's crazy :/ What you might do is put the handle into the drawer, (you can put it on the inside so that the shaft sticks out the front to make it easier to see, make a mark on the part sticking out too far, remove it and then use a metal saw with fine teeth to cut it to length, where you made the mark. If you have a vice, that would be helpful. You can buy small ones pretty cheaply at places like Harbour Freight or perhaps a home improvement store. They come in really handy :) Still, put a washer between the screw and wood to keep the screw from eating into the wood when you tighten it. Sorry for the crazy answer :(
Hello Glenys, different length of screws and a washer on the inside, you may want to change the handles again, and won't be able to if you make the hole to big
We used washers on the back side of the drawer, which took up some of the slack of the longer screws.
Electrical wire stripping pliers such as these have a built in screw cutter. https://www.digikey.ca/en/products/detail/klein-tools,-inc/1001/6804297?utm_adgroup=Wire%20Strippers%20and%20Accessories&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping_Product_Tools_NEW&utm_term=&productid=6804297&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvMily5ab6wIVxkXVCh0Tig06EAYYAyABEgK4P_D_BwE