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Ask Eli - Loose Kitchen Cabinet Hardware Pulls?

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Question:

The handles on my drawers keep getting loose. How can I keep them from getting loose all the time? – Tracy

Answer:

Most drawer handles, or drawer pulls, are held by a metal screw that goes through a hole in the drawer face and screws into the drawer pull.  If the handle is not metal then it normally has a metal sleeve in it that is threaded to receive the screw.  Some drawer pulls have a screw directly into a wooden handle or pull.

If your drawer pulls are wooden handles with screws directly into them, then you should just dip the end of the screw into some wood glue and put them back together. You can also put a little glue on the handle where it touches the drawer face, and glue the handle directly to the drawer face. This is not a substitute for the screw. You still need to use the screw and dip it in wood glue. If you don't have wood glue you can also use caulking. If the hole for the screw is stripped out and the screw won't tighten, then you need to repair the stripped out screw hole first. Then put wood glue on the end of the screw and screw it into the drawer pull.

If the screw is in metal you can use a little caulking but I like to use something that is made for metal. The product I normally use is a liquid nut/bolt locker called Titen by Loctite. It is typically used by mechanics putting nuts and bolts together on automobiles. Basically it is a glue for metal. You can find it at any automotive parts store.

how to fix loose drawer pull knob

You only need a drop of Titen on the threads at the end of the screw. It may stain so don’t drip it on anything. You can put something down where you are working, like old newspaper, to catch any drips. Install the screw back into the drawer pull and get it nice and snug. Don’t use the drawer pull for a while so it has time to set up.

If you use caulking, you should use a high quality caulking that will stay pliable. Dip a toothpick in the end of the caulking tube and smear a little in the threads at the end of the screw. The caulking won't necessarily glue the metal screw but when it cures it will be a little piece of rubber in there to prevent it from turning easily.

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