Swapping out your existing pulls and knobs is an easy DIY project and can really change the character of your space. It can be as simple as only needing a screw driver. Lucky us, we needed to drill new holes in our cabinets which was a wee bit stressful. Here are some tips and tricks to upgrading those knobs and pulls.
Selecting Hardware
Finish. Because the majority of our existing finishes are satin, we opted to stay with a similar finish for the new pulls and knobs. We contemplated a change, but quickly realized that the project would experience “scope creep” – we’d want to replace door handles, fixtures, hinges, and more.
Screw Spacing. Chances are the hole for the knobs is going to be in the right place and adequate for the screw. The pulls we ended up loving had holes that were slightly wider at 3.5 inches compared to the existing pulls at 3 inches. This meant we’d need to drill through the cabinets and didn’t have much margin for error in the drilling process
Cut a Template for Drilling
If you have to drill new holes, I strongly suggest making a template if your existing holes are square to your drawer face. You can use plugs, screw drivers, chop sticks, a clamp, etc, to keep your template in place. I used a takeout set of chop sticks because I could use them as leverage to make sure the template was level. I had a line level on the template (see it on Amazon)
Fill Old Holes
We filled the old holes with Painters Putty 53. For us, this is an easy product to use. You can use your hands to cram it into the holes and follow-up with a small spackling knife to smooth. This worked because our new pulls covered up where the old holes were. We also tried a white wood putty but it really wasn’t easy to work with.
If you are going to paint or be able to see the old holes, you should consider an appropriate stainable or paintable product. For all paintable filling, I use what the pros use for wood filling (get on Amazon).
Test Fit Screws
Your old screws may not fit your new hardware – test them out. If not, chances are your purchase came with “cut away” screws. Measure the length you need and then cut to length. A hacksaw does the trick, so does an angle grinder. I’m amazed how much I use it.
Enjoy your Hard work!
Tools You May Need
- Clamps
- Drill
- Level
- Hacksaw or angle grinder
- Eye and hand protection
