Swap cabinet hardware without damage
New pulls and knobs update a kitchen for very little. The trick is matching the hole spacing.
What you'll learn
- How to measure existing pull spacing (center-to-center, in inches)
- What to do if new pulls don't match old hole spacing
- Why a drilling jig saves hours if you're swapping 20+ pulls
- The trick for hiding old holes that won't be reused
Step by step
- Remove one existing pull. Measure center-to-center between screw holes.
- Buy new pulls with matching spacing (3", 3.75", 5", 6.3" are common).
- Install directly in existing holes, no drilling needed.
- If switching from knobs to pulls, use a drilling jig to keep the new holes straight across all doors.
- Fill unused old holes with paintable wood filler, sand flush, paint to match.
Safety note
Never force a pull into holes that don't quite match, the screws will bend or strip. If spacing is off by even 1/8", you need either new holes or different pulls.
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