A Girl Can Do It

Ok so we’ve talked about how to install cabinet hardware and you have decided to take on the challenge. http://agirlcandoit.com/2010/04/26/cabinet-hardware-how-to-install/

Yeah for you! Using the template I recommended, everything is moving along smoothly and then oops!  You find you drilled a hole in your cabinets in the wrong spot, even with your best attempts to be careful.  Or, the hole you drilled is too big and now your hardware is loose.  How can you fix this?  No fear, its easy!

1)    Cabinet hole in the wrong spot

You can use some wood putty and fill the wrong hole and sand smooth.  There are wood stain touch up pens in a variety of colors; match the one closest to your wood color.  Even better if your cabinet is painted; simply fill the hole with wood putty, sand and retouch your paint.  Usually these holes are so small and so close visually to your existing hardware, no one will even notice the mistake.

2)    Hole is too big

Place a few toothpicks in the hole dipped in wood glue and let dry.  Break off the toothpicks flush with the cabinet with some needle-nose pliers and reinsert your screw.  Sometimes just the little extra wood will be all you need.

Another way is to wrap your screw in wood putty, leaving the end that attaches to the hardware clean, then reinsert the screw into the hole and let dry.

Finally, another option is to insert the screw into a washer and let the washer come to a rest on the backside of your cabinet door.  The washer will keep the screw from slipping through the hole in the backside of your cabinet.  If the hole lets the hardware wiggle too much, you might have to use the toothpicks or wood putty along with the washer to ensure a good snug fit.

Hope that helps!