looking for handles with 50mm hole spacing

Nenen

If anyone can help me locate some cupboard door handles with holes 50mm apart I'd be eternally grateful!

We've just bought a house that has fitted wardrobes, chest of drawers and dressing table in the main bedroom, which would be lovely if it weren't for the awful tarnished, peeling 80s handles - there are 50 of them! They are coated metal ring shape (like a giant polo mint) with two 'prongs' going back into the wardrobes etc. The 'prongs' which are screwed into the cupboards are 50mm apart. I have searched and searched the web looking for some handles or knobs with holes 50mm apart but can't find anything.

I've rung a couple of specialists who say that handles with a 50mm hole space are no longer available. They advise that the only thing I can do is to remove the old handles and then replace them with handles with wider spaced holes which will also cover the old holes (something like this: http://www.morehandles.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=ftd2045 ).

The problem with doing this is two-fold, firstly it will mean drilling 100 new holes and I am a disaster with diy at the best of times. Secondly, even if I could manage it, the doors are coated chipboard and 30+ years old so I have been advised that if I do start drilling them they will probably be dried out and I will damage them.

If anyone has any other ideas I'd be really grateful.

societys_child

I agree with the specialists, I don't really agree that the doors will have "dried out" and will be damaged.

With 50 handles to fit, I'd make a template (out of thin ply or aluminum) with four holes, two to align with the existing holes (use a couple of bolts to align the template exactly) the other two holes would show where the new holes need to be. Sharpe drill, and a block of wood held against the back of the door/ drawer front will prevent damage where the drill "breaks through".

leveller2911

Think the smallest standard centres on handles are now 64mm ..

Just an idea but how about buying handles that will cover the old fixing holes.Links below, may not be your cup of tea but these sorts of handles will do a job..They do 3 different finishes.

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/Products/Cabinet_Furniture_and_Hardware/Handles_and_Knobs/13308/Titan_Latch_Pull_Handle/235896

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/Products/Cabinet_Furniture_and_Hardware/Handles_and_Knobs/13307/Titan_Large_D_Handle/651981

http://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/Products/Cabinet_Furniture_and_Hardware/Handles_and_Knobs/13309/Titan_Small_D_Handle/924386

Nenen

Thanks for the tip re making a template SC. I shudder at the thought of trying to drill 100 holes though... I'm hopeless with a drill! I can see it might come to that if I can't find any handles with a hole space of 50mm though.

booter

Just a thought, but what about re-vamping the old handles? Tin of spray primer and tin of spray paint would probably cost less than all new handles and then you don't have to worry about drilling!

Nenen

booter wrote: »

Just a thought, but what about re-vamping the old handles? Tin of spray primer and tin of spray paint would probably cost less than all new handles and then you don't have to worry about drilling!

That's not a bad idea as although I don't like the shape and style of the handles they are made significantly worse by the state they are in. The handles are some sort of metal with a gold finish (that has tarnished and rubbed off in places). Does anyone know what sort of spray paint and primer would I need?

I'm also looking at them wondering if I could possibly stick something in the centres of them so they look less 80s and more like pretty knobs.

booter

I've got away with using Hammerite in the past on certain things without a primer (my OH laughs at me for my prolific use of it to "tart" things up ) I'm no expert, but I believe it all depends how bad the existing surface of the handle is (i.e. whether it's flaking/chipping off). You may get away with a light sanding to "key" the surface (so the paint "sticks").

As far as the centres, mmmm, what about those glass pebbles they use for flower arranging? Coins? (not very MSE!?), Tiddlywinks (maybe not with Hammerite, but Plasticote?), metal washers? Just a few ideas!

southcoastrgi

Nenen wrote: »

I'm also looking at them wondering if I could possibly stick something in the centres of them so they look less 80s and more like pretty knobs.

the 80's are coming back (not for another 68 yrs admittedly) but you could be ahead of your time

moonbabe58

If you google 'handles 50mm hole centre' you may get some options, this is the only one that frequently appears though - http://comptools.co.uk/store/hafele-finger-pull-handle-hole-centres-length-p-12288.html