How do you fill in holes on cabinet doors and drawers if you want to replace the hardware? We had new cabinets installed about 5 yrs ago and used single screw cabinets handles. We want to replace them with double screw pulls since the handles keep swirling and it is driving us crazy.

I originally thought we should just replace all of the doors and drawers but combined that would total 34 so on to the next idea. Aside from the cost, while they haven't faded, at least not noticeably, the manufacturer is concerned about dye lots. So the only viable option is to fill in the holes. They gave us several bricks of the stain when we bought them so we know those are the correct dye lot.

To answer the obvious we cannot use the existing holes since the contractor didn't measure the spacing so none of them are uniform (another major point of irritation) and if we are going to do this I want them to be done right this time.

I've watched a few videos on it. One uses a dowel and then sand that area and stain. The other uses wood filler, sand and stain.

Which of the two (or any additional ideas) would require the least amount of sanding and staining? I don't really want to have to satin the entire door or drawer but if it comes down to that I may just send all of them to the manufacturer to do.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Not sure about the best way to fill the holes, but to get accurate spacing on the cabinet hardware, there is a clear acrylic guide called MeasurePro for this. Upc 15137 37917. (You might already know this, just adding the info for others who may be reading this too )

We've tightened the screws several times and now they are stripped.

You can find Decorative Cover Plates (spacers)

that are designed fit between the Cabinet and the New Handles. (same hole pattern)

This will allow you to

Drill Two New Holes, ( systematically )

while covering the Older Holes.

some options...

Loctite blue which keeps the screws from turning, buy new screws if they stripped.

Back plates, which cover the hole completely and you can position them to cover the hole and make new holes for the handles. If you can't find handles with back plates or back plates that work with your handles, I have painted a metallic back plate for the handle.

Depending on exactly what you are doing, I have put decorative wood appliques on to cover old holes. It takes some work to find something that will do with your look and spacing.

For filling the holes, I like Durham's rock hard water putty. You can make the dry mix as putty like or watery as needed for what you are filling. But you may never end up with a matched color stain, paint might be able to be color matched. Dowels work well if you replacing a screw, but they are more sanding work and staining is difficult.

Thanks to all of you for your great suggestions.

Our taste is rather contemporary and when I first thought about backplates a few years ago the selection was limited and were all very traditional which wouldn't work with the sleek european pulls we want. After reading these suggestions I did another search and found a slew of contemporary ones so back plates make the most sense.

As to the suggestion of just replacing the screws and sticking with the single screws we have. We've already done that more than once but eventually they all get loose. I'd never use a single screw handle again at least not on something that gets a lot of use.

Nice try, Busy. [WI]

Escutcheon Cover Plates are used in the

Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry.

Lol!

Run into it just a couple times.

Cheap import knobs that have not been machined right for the size screw.

They will always come loose. Although a small amount of clear caulk in the threads will usually hold them.

I have single knobs on my home and all rentals. Never a problem.

I think just new knobs would solve your problem. Would not even need the caulk.

Unless you have screws that are to long. You should be able to get they tight enough so impossible to turn by hand.

Also if you do anything else. Call a furniture repair guy.

Will be cheaper than some other options you mentioned. Most are good and experts at repairing furniture scratches.

With a number of wax sticks, dyes and toners they carry. They even use a little artist brush to copy the grain.

NC,

When I install cabinet knobs I crimp the threads a bit with my toothed pliers. The threads are slightly distorted and are now "hard runners". They do not work loose without a tool.

Same with doorknob/deadbolt screws.