So, I recently noticed that some of the shelf pegs in my new place seem too small—like, they're only 5mm. The span between the shelves is pretty wide and meant to hold some pots, but one of the pegs failed yesterday! Now, the holes above and below are elongated, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix this. I'm thinking about either drilling out the holes and inserting sleeves for a 1/4" peg (and hoping I can get them centered right), or using dowels cut to the same length for support. I prefer the sleeve method for a cleaner look, but I'm not sure what tools I need or how precise my drilling has to be. I also added some photos for reference: https://imgur.com/a/cJR0Xa8. The shelf spans the width of my stove, and you can see the pegs with the elongated holes.
3 Answers
Good point about the photos! It really helps others gauge the situation. If you're looking for advice, having a visual reference is key. Definitely post those pics!
In wider cabinets, I always add a shelf pin at the back to help carry the load. Does your cabinet have that? If not, you might want to drill some holes in the back and add extra pins for more stability. Just a tip!
I've had good luck with 5mm pins in 3/4" melamine and plywood shelves, and those hold heavy items just fine. When I repaired my parents' kitchen with elongated holes, I filled them with dowel rods and re-drilled them. That might be the way to go!
Gotcha. Added to original post.