Hey everyone! I'm looking for some guidance on relocating a handle on a salvaged wooden door I'm planning to use for my basement bathroom. The door itself is around 75 inches tall, but since my basement ceiling isn't very high, I'll need to cut down the door, which means the handle would sit pretty low if I keep it where it currently is. I'm hoping to find some articles or videos that can help me with filling in the old handle holes and re-drilling for the new handle placement. I'd really like to achieve a clean fill so I can stain the door instead of painting it. Any advice or instructions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
3 Answers
Another method is to use a hole saw to create a plug that closely matches the size you need. Glue it in, and if you’re going to paint it, you can use wood filler to make everything smooth. If you’re not painting, match the plug perfectly, maybe even go for a rectangle to blend it more naturally.
If I were you, I’d consider just trimming the door from the bottom while keeping the handle in its original spot. That way, you won’t have to deal with moving the handle.
I’ve tackled this before by using the wood I cut off when shortening the door to create a patch. First, cut your patches from the offcuts, ensuring they match the surrounding wood grain. Then, trace around the patch on the door and carefully remove the wood inside those lines. You can use a router plane or an electric router for consistent depth. Once the patch is glued in place, sand it down until it's flush with the surface. It blends right in if done carefully!
Thanks for this thorough explanation! This aligns perfectly with my plan to use scrap wood for the patch. I really appreciate your help!
Just a heads-up, there's a great video from Ask This Old House demonstrating how to patch a doorknob hole like this—it’s super helpful!