I reuse and repurpose furniture often. I love to make the old look new and beautiful. One of the key elements is putting on new hardware. For example in my master bath I used old doors I bought at the Restore on a custom cabinet we built and finished it off with porcelain knobs.
When adding new hardware I often run into the same problem. My new hardware doesn’t comes with long enough screws or screws that are a tad bit short. Let me share some simple solutions.
Solutions for screws that are too short.
1. You can buy longer screws.
I do not like this option because it can take time to try and match the threads on the screws.
And often the manufacture makes the thread slightly different making it hard to match.
2. Countersink your screw.
This is what I usually do. You can buy counter sink drill bits like these.
They create a bigger hole for the head of the screw to fall within the piece of wood. I however like to use what I have, remember I’m impatient. To start you should have already drilled a hole the diameter of your screw. That’s when you probably discovered it was too short. Next I get out my large drill bits and match the size of the drill bit to the size of my screw head. It may be slightly larger, but not smaller.
Place the larger drill bit tip in the center of the already drilled smaller hole. Drill deep enough to allow the screw to come through the other side of your drawer front. There should be enough threads coming through to hold the knob or pull. You may have to test it a few times to get it deep enough. You do not want to go all the way through the board with this big drill bit. Do a little at a time until it the knob screws on.
In the end it will look something like this.
Solutions for Screws that are too long.
If you attach your pull or knob and tighten the screws all the way and still see a gap like in the photo below, your screws are too long.
1. Again you could try to find a shorter screw in at the hardware store.
You know my feeling on that!
2. Easiest by far is to use washers as spacers.
Use one or a combination of washers on the inside of the drawer or cabinet to take up the gap.
Simple!!
I would love to have you stop on over at Batchelors Way and check out my latest project I’m working on, My Master Bedroom Remodel!!
Shannon says
I have had to resort to using bolt cutters to knipp the end of a screw that was just slightly too long. Just cut off a thread or two at a time till it is the correct length. Washers are a good idea also, never thought of using them.
Ronda Batchelor says
Washers seem easier. But sounds like both ideas would work.
Janis says
Great tips!!!
Ronda Batchelor says
Thanks!
Shaun Kane says
This may not be in line with the converstation but it reminded me of a ship fiting trick I learned from an old fella some time back. We were re-securing teak deck boards to teak plywood underlayment on a steel boat. He reasoned that the screws used as is would lose holding power since the point would stop at the steel. He bought the screws a quarter inch too long and had me cut the tips off with bolt cutters. This way the thickest part of the screws threads were in the entire thickness of the wood. The tip is useless. Come to think of it. This trick could work for too long screws and you would get maximum thread power to boot.
Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door says
I hate when this happens and these are great options! I’ve done the “match the thread” routine and it’s no fun. Thanks so much for sharing these options!
Cass says
Great advice! I have quite often used washers for screws too long, but the countersink using a regular drill bit is excellent! Thread matching can really put a huge bummer on an entire day’s work, thanks so much for some fresh solutions! Can I share this post on my own blog?
Jill Sabulis says
This post is really old, but on the off chance that you are still active on this site (which I LOVE, by the way), I am posting my problem. I have beautiful custom mahogany panels on my dishwasher. The issue is the smaller, top panel. The face is really thin there, and one of my children pulled the knob right through the wood, screw and all. So I need to figure out: 1. how to reattach the knob (do you think I could use a 1.5″ fender washer inside or is there a better solution, and 2. how to cover the enlarged hole on the front of the panel (maybe do a back plate to match the knob?) Any ideas?
Sandra says
I think using a large washer is a good idea. The more surface support you have on the back side of the panel the better. If the knob is larger than the hole (so it’s actually sitting on the wood and covering the hole) it shouldn’t matter. Good luck!
Tara says
This article was a lifesaver. I’m a female in my 20s and barely know how to use a drill. I wanted to add hardware to a dresser and was totally bummed when the screws were too short. Using a larger drill bit worked like a charm.