I bought knobs for kitchen cupboards and drawers today. A neighbour said the screws can be made shorter. how?
Hello @ElaineG
Welcome to the Bunnings workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your drawer knob screws.
There are two ways to break or snap the screws to their proper length. First is to fit the screw into a table vice and use a https://www.bunnings.com.au/trojan-300mm-tubular-hack-saw_p0191085 to cut the screw between the gaps.
The second method is a little bit harder. I suggest wearing good fitting rubber gloves and use an https://www.bunnings.com.au/irwin-200mm-vise-grip-diagonal-cutting-pliers_p0224217 r similar to pinch the gaps with the side cutting pliers. You then rotate the screw to another position then pinch it again with the tool. As you keep pinching and rotating the screw the cuts will get deeper and then you'll eventually snap off the part that you don't need.
Please double check the length that you need before you start cutting. Remember to cut in the "gaps" of the threaded screw only, don't cut into the threaded sections of the screw.
Let me call on our experienced members @JoeAzza, @TedBear, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.
Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves and goggles.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Good afternoon @ElaineG
To add to @EricL's suggestions (I have done both without any issue) here is another one -
Dave
"kitchen cupboards and drawers"
@ElaineG
The ones I've seen for the above applications are segmented with threaded and non-threaded sections.
Determine the length needed and 'ideally' with an aluminium backed vice - isolate the non-threaded section required.
Bent the remainder back and forth with a gloved hand till it breaks.
There is surprisingly little resistance/strength in these small bolts.
Hi @ElaineG
Cupboard bolts are made of soft metal that allows them to bar easily cut by hand using pliers like these are ideal.
With the pliers wide open, simply position the spacer groove deep into the cutting jaws and squeeze tight until it breaks. It's important to get the bolt groove deep into the cutters as it provides more leverage. Once cut there is no need to file the end smooth etc. The bolt will simply screw into the knob/handle.
A trip for the right length is to have no more than around 5-7mm of the bolt protruding through the door and make not of the nearest cut point groove. And don't stress if you do cut one to short as Bunnings sell spares. Last week, I replaced over 30 handles for someone wishing to upgrade to newer ones using this process. If your struggling with hand strength, you can follow @Noyade instructions with a hacksaw. Nailbag
hi @ElaineG , if you don’t want to cut the screws, Bunnings sell various size screws to suit, just measure the thickness of the drawer or door, and then measure the depth of the thread in the knob or handle, add that to the thickness length, check the screws at Bunnings for the correct length.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-m4-x-20mm-zinc-plated-knob-handle-bolt-12-pack_p0335876
https://www.bunnings.com.au/taskmaster-m4x-50mm-zinc-snap-off-screw-50-pack_p0206134
