Buy Rubicon HL-034 for old 160 mm holes: will a wooden handle fit instead of a metal one

The old metal handle has been removed, leaving two holes on the facade, and the ruler shows 160 mm between them. The buyer is already ready to purchase Rubicon HL-034 and install a wooden pull in the same spot. The model does indeed have a center-to-center distance of 160 mm, so it can be considered for such a replacement. But the word 'can' here only means the beginning of a check, not guaranteed compatibility with any furniture.

To buy Rubicon HL-034 instead of the previous metal bracket without re-drilling the facade, five conditions need to be confirmed. The centers of the old holes must be exactly 160 mm apart. The total length of the new handle, 183 mm, must fit the facade. The wooden supports must cover the marks left by the old hardware. The included screws must match the thickness of the door or drawer. After installation, the handle, 24 mm high, must not hit the wall, adjacent door, countertop, or another facade.

All five points matched — the replacement has good prospects of proceeding without new holes. Only the center distance matched — it's too early to order a set for the entire kitchen. One old handle might have narrow round legs, another wide metal plates, a third a long decorative strip hiding scuffs and chips. Rubicon will attach at the same points but is not obligated to cover the previous mark.

The model has another feature important for the estimate: HL-034 is supplied without a ready decorative coating. The buyer chooses beech or oak, receives a "Prestige" sanding and a mounting kit, and plans the color and protective finish separately. Therefore, the cost of furniture renovation consists not only of the number of handles. The calculation includes the chosen wood species, trial finishing, main materials, possible screw replacement, and delivery.

This article does not retell the general furniture hardware catalog and does not attempt to determine which handle each cabinet needs. The task is specific: to understand whether Rubicon HL-034 will fit existing 160 mm holes and what to check before placing an order.

Furniture Handle Rubicon HL-034

from 13.28 $

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Quick answer: when Rubicon HL-034 can be installed without re-drilling

Preliminarily, the handle is suitable for replacement if the following conditions are met simultaneously:

If the first row does not match, Rubicon HL-034 will not be a direct replacement for the previous holes. If any other row does not match, installation may still be possible, but will require facade repair, different screws, finish changes, or choosing a different model.

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Green, yellow, and red scenarios

For a quick preliminary assessment, it is convenient to divide situations into three groups.

Green scenario: old holes are exactly 160 mm, no damage around them, the previous handle was mounted on small supports, the Rubicon cardboard template covers the marks, and the screws fit the facade thickness. You can proceed to order a sample or a calculated set.

Yellow scenario: centers align, but doubt remains about overlap of traces, screw length, or free play of the door. First, a template, a photo of the inner side of the facade, and a trial installation of one handle are needed.

Red scenario: distance measured from edges of holes, old holes are loose, metal plate left a wide damaged outline, or the door almost touches the wall when opening. Buying a full set without additional preparation is not recommended.

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What exactly does the size Rubicon HL-034 mean

The card specifies the line 183 × 27 × 24 × 160 mm. Four numbers describe different parameters. They cannot be added, rearranged, or read as one overall size.

The main practical point of the table is simple: 160 mm is not the handle length. Rubicon is 23 mm longer than the center-to-center distance. If the mounting points are symmetrically positioned relative to the overall shape, part of the body remains beyond the outermost centers. It is this extra length that determines whether the new handle will cover the mark left by the old one.

Why 183 mm matters no less than 160 mm

Suppose the previous metal bracket had a center-to-center distance of 160 mm, but its total length was 210 mm. After removal, a wear mark about 200 mm long remained on the facade. Rubicon will fit into the old holes, but its 183 mm body may not cover the edges of the mark.

The reverse situation is also possible. The old handle had a total length of 170 mm, while the Rubicon is 183 mm. The new model will cover the previous outline in length, but the width and shape of the supports need to be checked. A narrow wooden contact will not hide a wide round imprint just because the entire handle is longer.

Width 27 mm and decorative frames of the facade

On a smooth surface, the width of 27 mm is mostly assessed visually. On a framed facade, it becomes a mounting constraint. The handle must not extend onto the frame profile, hit the bevel, or rest partially on the flat surface and partially on the relief.

If the old metal bracket was placed in a narrow central panel, make a template 27 mm wide and apply it to the installation spot. Do not rely only on the distance between screws: the Rubicon body occupies its own area.

Height 24 mm and opening trajectory

The height shows how much the handle protrudes above the front surface. For the user, this is the space for gripping. For the furniture, it is an additional dimension that moves together with the door or drawer.

Pay special attention to checking:

• outer kitchen doors near the wall;

• facades next to a tall refrigerator;

• swing wardrobe in a narrow niche;

• corner sections;

• drawers passing next to adjacent handles;

• doors under the protruding countertop;

• furniture near the door trim;

• dressers in a narrow passage.

The old metal bracket could protrude 18 mm, while the new wooden one — 24 mm. The difference of just 6 mm seems small until the door starts hitting the plastered wall or the adjacent front.

You need to measure centers, not edges, and not the body of the old handle

The most common mistake when replacing hardware occurs even before choosing a model. The buyer applies a tape measure to the old handle, sees about 160 mm on the outer edge, and looks for a “160 mm handle.” But for brackets, the center-to-center distance is used — the distance between the centers of the mounting holes.

The scheme looks like this:

center of the first hole → 160 mm → center of the second hole.

Not like this:

• left edge of the first hole → right edge of the second;

• outer edge of one support → outer edge of the other;

• total length of the metal bracket;

• distance between the inner sides of the legs;

• distance between screw heads by eye.

Method 1. Measuring along the inner side of the facade

This is the most convenient option if the screw heads are visible inside the door or drawer.

1. Open the facade.

2. Find the centers of the two mounting screws.

3. Place a ruler through their midpoints.

4. Measure the center-to-center distance.

5. Repeat the measurement at least twice.

6. Check the second handle on the same piece of furniture.

If it comes out to exactly 160 mm, the first criterion is met.

Method 2. Measurement after disassembly

Remove the old handle and work with the holes on the front or inner side. If the edges of the holes are even and their diameter is the same, determining the center is not difficult.

For a hole with a diameter of 5 mm, the distance from one outer edge to the other is not equal to the center-to-center distance. If you measure from the left edge of the first hole to the left edge of the second, with the same diameter, you can get a value close to the centers. But you should not rely on this: the holes may be broken, enlarged, or drilled at an angle.

It is more reliable to mark the middle of each hole and measure between the marks.

Method 3. Measurement with a caliper

A caliper is useful when precision is required and the holes have clear edges. You can measure the distance between the same-named edges of holes of the same diameter, and then double-check the centers.

This method is especially useful for a series of kitchen fronts, where an error of 1–2 mm will be repeated on dozens of handles.

Method 4. Paper strip with two marks

If the metal handle is still installed, but access to the screws is inconvenient:

1. Remove one handle.

2. Press thick paper against the inner side.

3. Mark the centers of the holes.

4. Check the distance with a ruler.

5. Keep the strip as a reference template.

On the template, you can immediately mark the total length of Rubicon 183 mm and width 27 mm.

Why you need to check several fronts

On mass-produced furniture, holes may repeat, but repairs, door replacements, and manual drilling can introduce differences. On a kitchen with twelve fronts, one drawer may have a different center-to-center distance. An order based on a single measured door will result in an extra handle or the need to re-drill a separate element.

Create a report:

After such a check, the quantity ceases to be approximate.

Why a 160 mm match does not guarantee a replacement without traces

Two handles can have identical mounting points and completely different bases. A metal model often rests on the facade with round washers, square heels, or a long decorative plate. The wooden Rubicon has its own contact shape. The matching screws only indicate that the mounting axes can meet the holes.

It does not answer the questions:

• will the new handle cover the old dent;

• will the faded area remain visible;

• will the wood cover the scratch from the metal leg;

• will the base stand on a flat surface;

• will the edge of the old mark end up next to the new support;

• will the holes turn out to be too wide;

• whether the thin facade is deformed.

Marks from narrow round supports

This is the most favorable situation. If the previous bracket touched the facade with small round pads and there are no deep damages around, Rubicon can cover most of the marks.

But first check the contact zones with a template. You cannot assume that any wooden support is wider than a metal one.

Wide rosettes or square heels

A metal handle could have bases with a diameter of 25–35 mm or square pads. After removal, the following remain:

• matte circles;

• indented contours;

• scratches;

• shade difference;

• traces of varnish;

• dirt along the edge.

The overall width of Rubicon 27 mm does not mean that each bracket covers a circle of 27 mm in diameter. You need to look at the shape and drawing of the specific model, and then make a template of the mounting zones.

Long backing plate under the old handle

Some metal brackets are installed on a decorative strip significantly longer than 183 mm. After its removal, an area is exposed that has not faded or gotten dirty along with the rest of the facade. The new handle may cover the holes, but not the entire color difference.

Possible solutions:

• local facade restoration;

• full painting of the door;

• decorative backing plate per separate project;

• selection of a handle with a larger coverage area;

• refusal to replace without repair.

Soft facades and pressed-in areas

On some surfaces, the metal support leaves a dent over time. The wooden handle may sit on it not with its full plane, but with its edges. This creates misalignment and unstable tightening.

First, the surface is restored or the possibility of even seating is assessed. Tightening the screw harder to "pull" the wood to the unevenness is dangerous: it can damage the facade or the handle.

Chips around holes

A small chip may be hidden under the base. But if the facade material is damaged, the screw does not get reliable support. This is especially important for chipboard and MDF, where the hole may have widened from repeated tightening of the metal handle.

First, the repair issue is addressed. New hardware should not be used as a patch for a weakened fastening.

Cardboard template Rubicon: check before paying for the set

A product photo shows the shape, but does not overlay it on your facade. The most useful home test is a full-size template.

You will need:

• thick paper or cardboard;

• ruler;

• pencil;

• awl or thin punch;

• Painter's tape.

How to make a template

1. Draw a rectangle 183 × 27 mm.

2. Draw the longitudinal axis.

3. Mark two mounting centers at a distance of 160 mm.

4. Position them symmetrically relative to the total length.

5. Punch through the marks.

6. Cut out a rectangle.

7. Align the punches with the old holes.

8. Secure the template with painter's tape.

9. Evaluate the front from the front and side.

The rectangle shows the outer dimension, not the exact contoured shape of the handle. For assessing overlap of traces, it is better to use a printed drawing or an accurate tracing, if available.

What is visible using the template

• does the length of 183 mm fit;

• does the body not overlap the frame;

• is the old scuff mark covered;

• does the handle not look too large;

• does it not intersect with the decorative molding;

• is there enough distance to the edge;

• are the handles positioned identically across the row of facades;

• does the horizontal installation not conflict with the drawer lines;

• can the model be placed vertically on a tall cabinet.

Layout height 24 mm

Flat cardboard does not show the protrusion. To check the opening trajectory, make a simple 3D model:

• fold the cardboard to a thickness of about 24 mm;

• secure it in the area of the future handle;

• slowly open the door;

• check the wall, adjacent facade, and countertop;

• pull out adjacent drawers.

Such a mockup will not convey grip comfort, but it will show dangerous collisions.

The mounting kit is included, but the screws still need to be checked.

Having a mounting kit is convenient: the buyer does not have to search for screws from scratch. However, the kit cannot automatically account for the thickness of any facade.

On furniture, you may encounter:

• thin doors;

• standard panel fronts;

• framed fronts with thickening in the mounting area;

• fronts with overlay;

• double walls;

• drawers where the screw passes through the front and inner panel;

• restored parts with washers or inserts.

What to measure

The full screw path is measured from the inner surface to the threaded connection of the handle. For a regular door, this is the thickness of the front. For a drawer, an additional wall may need to be considered.

Write down:

• material thickness;

• presence of an inner overlay;

• screw head seating depth;

• washer, if provided;

• required depth of engagement into the handle mounting.

Do not choose screw length based on general advice. Match the set to the specific furniture.

Signs of a screw that is too short

• thread does not reach the handle;

• screw engages only a few threads;

• handle pulls away from the front;

• connection loosens quickly;

• no firm contact when tightening.

Signs of a screw that is too long

• the screw bottoms out before the handle is pressed;

• a gap remains between the support and the facade;

• the handle moves;

• the head does not sit inside;

• there is a desire to add random washers just for the length.

The correct solution is to choose suitable fasteners of the same type and compatible thread, rather than compensate for the mistake with excessive tightening.

First fitting, then finishing and final installation

Rubicon HL-034 is supplied without a ready-made coating. This gives freedom of color choice, but requires the correct sequence.

Undesirable route:

1. Paint the entire set.

2. Remove the old handles.

3. Detect wide marks.

4. Start fitting the screws.

5. Damage the coating during adjustment.

Safer route:

1. Measure all facades.

2. Check the template.

3. Order one handle or a calculated set.

4. Perform a dry fit.

5. Check the screws.

6. Remove the handles.

7. Do a test finish.

8. Process the entire batch.

9. Let the coating reach the specified strength.

10. Perform the final installation.

Why can't you paint the handle without checking the old holes?

If one hole is misaligned, during fitting you will have to adjust the facade or refuse the replacement. Any work with a tool near an already painted wooden handle creates a risk of chipping and scratching.

Why it's better to finish the entire batch at once

Handles from the same kitchen or dresser are perceived together. Differences in shade, gloss, and coating thickness will be more noticeable than on individual items.

Simultaneous processing helps to align:

• one composition;

• one preparation;

• the same number of layers;

• application direction;

• drying time;

• degree of matteness;

• color result.

Beech or oak: the choice depends on what remains visible

Rubicon HL-034 can be ordered in beech or oak. Both options retain the same size and center distance, but the finish reveals them differently.

Beech for opaque color

Beech is reasonably considered when handles will be painted with opaque enamel in the color of the facade or in a contrasting shade. Under a dense coating, the natural pattern ceases to be the main visual argument.

This scenario is suitable if the buyer wants:

• white handles on a colored kitchen;

• handles matching the cabinet color;

• black wooden hardware;

• a calm solid-color set;

• repeating the color of the baseboard or doors;

• replace metal, but without introducing a noticeable texture.

You cannot promise that beech will always be cheaper: the current price must be checked in the selected card. The commercial meaning of beech here is primarily related to the finish.

Oak for visible texture

Oak is chosen when a transparent or semi-transparent finish is planned and the wood grain should remain visible.

It is better to order handles in one batch. Natural material does not have to repeat like a printed pattern, but simultaneous processing simplifies matching similar elements and creating a common shade.

Oak is appropriate if:

• facades match the oak countertop;

• there is an oak baseboard in the room;

• handles should support the wooden furniture legs;

• a warm natural accent is required;

• oil, varnish, or tinting system is planned;

• the buyer accepts natural texture differences.

A test sample is needed in both cases

White enamel, dark paint, clear oil, or stain can change the perception of the shape. On a small sample, check:

• shade;

• shine;

• preservation of edges;

• grip convenience;

• coating resistance to touch;

• combination with the facade;

• behavior of the composition on the ends.

Before serial finishing, it is better to treat one handle or a test area using the same method that will be used for the entire set.

An unpainted handle is an opportunity to choose a finish, not readiness for immediate installation.

The word "unpainted" is sometimes perceived as "natural, so it can be left as is." For fitting — yes. For permanent use on a kitchen, dresser, or cabinet, it is better to decide on the finish in advance.

A furniture handle is touched by hand daily. The surface is exposed to:

• natural skin moisture;

• household dust;

• traces of cosmetics;

• kitchen dirt;

• water drops;

• cleaning agents;

• friction of rings and nails.

The coating is chosen considering the room, frequency of use, and desired appearance. A specific system cannot be prescribed without its manufacturer's technical requirements, but the buyer needs to plan preparation and protection as a separate stage.

Paint to match the facade color

Rubicon can be turned into an extension of the door. This technique suits light, colored, and dark facades.

The advantage is not that the handle disappears. The wooden shape remains visible through:

• volume;

• shadow;

• 24 mm protrusion;

• smooth line of the bracket;

• tactile difference from the facade.

Before painting, compare the material of the handle and the base. The same enamel can look different on wood and on previously painted MDF if the preparation and primer differ. Therefore, the test sample is evaluated directly on the facade.

Make it contrasting

A black, graphite, dark green, or other contrasting handle changes the rhythm of the furniture more than metal hardware of the same color. Wood softens the visual coldness, and the wide plane of Rubicon creates a noticeable line.

Contrast requires careful layout. In a kitchen with twenty facades, each handle becomes a repeating graphic sign. If one is installed higher or turned differently, the error is immediately noticeable.

Preserve the natural shade

A transparent finish highlights the material. In this case, the differences between beech and oak become part of the design. Before ordering the entire series, you need to decide:

• whether the pattern should be calm or pronounced;

• how much the handles should match the countertop;

• whether they will be lighter or darker than the facade;

• Is tinting required?

• How noticeable is the natural variability.

Tint to match existing wood

Attempting to exactly match the shade of old furniture is harder than choosing a new contrast. The color is affected by the wood species, the age of the facade, old varnish, lighting, and the finishing compound sample.

The check is done not by the name "natural oak" or "walnut," but by an actual color swatch next to the furniture.

Where to purchase finishing materials and what to include in the estimate

Once the finishing method is chosen, you can buy materials for wood finishing, but the cart is formed according to the technology of the specific compound. The category helps gather the needed items, but the buyer should not mix materials only by color or marketing name.

The estimate may include:

• material for a test sample;

• main finishing compound;

• brush or other recommended tool;

• preparation agents;

• consumables for interlayer treatment;

• materials for facade protection;

• additional screws of suitable length;

• packaging for the drying batch.

Why finishing is calculated for the entire set

One handle and twenty handles require different volumes, but consumption cannot be determined by simply multiplying the area. Some material remains on the tool, some goes to testing, and a complex shape requires processing from all sides.

For budgeting, the formula is useful:

trial finish

• preparation of the entire batch

• main material

• consumables

• Labor
  = cost of finish.**

An unpainted handle may cost less than the finished version, but the buyer pays with time and finishing work. This is not a drawback, but a freedom of personalization that must be considered honestly.

Kitchen: you need to check not only the doors, but also the entire opening scenario

Replacing handles in the kitchen seems like a simple serial task: count the facades, order identical brackets, rearrange them. In practice, the kitchen contains several types of opening.

The outermost door near the wall

It can open almost to the wall. The old metal handle was thinner or positioned closer to the plane. Rubicon protrudes 24 mm, so the mockup is checked at the full opening angle.

If the handle touches the wall, the options are:

• limit the opening angle with a standard solution;

• protect the wall;

• choose different hardware;

• change the placement if the facade is not yet drilled;

• refuse direct replacement on this door.

One different handle in a row can look random. The solution is evaluated for the entire kitchen.

Corner section

Two doors or adjacent drawers can pass next to each other. Handles should not collide when opened simultaneously.

The check is performed not only in the closed position:

1. Open the first door.

2. Pull out the adjacent drawer.

3. Check the intersection of trajectories.

4. Repeat in reverse order.

5. Take into account the volume of fingers when gripping.

Drawer under the countertop

The handle height can bring it closer to the overhang of the countertop. The user should be able to freely insert their fingers without touching the bottom edge.

A 24 mm thick template shows the dimensions, but to assess comfort, it is useful to order one Rubicon and try the grip.

Dishwasher and built-in appliances

Appliance fronts may have a different thickness, internal fasteners, and load mode. You cannot automatically use the same screw as on the adjacent door. First, check the front construction and the feasibility of installation.

Vertically or horizontally

Existing holes already determine the orientation. If the old bracket was vertical with 160 mm centers, Rubicon can be considered in the same position. Moving to horizontal will require new holes and repair of the previous ones.

For a kitchen with a combined layout, the rules are fixed:

• on doors — vertically;

• on drawers — horizontally;

• on narrow fronts — according to a separate scheme;

• On the equipment — after checking the design.

Cabinet: 160 mm may match, but the new handle will still turn out to be uncomfortable

Tall hinged doors give Rubicon enough space in length. The main risks are related to the position and adjacent doors.

Two-door wardrobe

If each door has one metal bracket, usually two Rubicons are required. But before ordering, check the distance from the handle to the central joint.

Too close placement creates two problems:

• wooden handles may almost touch;

• there is not enough space for fingers between them.

The 27 mm width and body shape differ from the old metal. Even with the previous holes, the gap will change.

Four-door cabinet

Four identical handles create a rhythm. Here especially important are:

• one height;

• same orientation;

• same shade;

• coincidence of traces of old bases;

• no differences in holes.

Measure all four facades, not just one. If the central and side doors have different widths, the handles may still be at the same distance from the edge, but this needs to be confirmed.

Cabinet against the wall

The outermost panel repeats the kitchen issue: the 24 mm protrusion may touch the wall, trim, or curtain.

Heavy door

Ease of grip is more important than visual matching. Rubicon has a bracket shape, but the effort on a specific solid door is best assessed on a sample. The handle should not feel too thin or uncomfortable for the user.

Dresser and nightstand: old metal traces are especially noticeable on horizontal facades

On the dresser, the handles are close to the line of sight and are often lit from above. Wear around the previous bases may be more noticeable than on lower kitchen cabinet doors.

Chest of drawers with four drawers

Preliminary quantity — 4 pcs. But options are possible:

• one handle centered on each drawer;

• two pulls on wide fronts;

• different handles on the top narrow and bottom wide drawers.

You need to count the existing mounting points. If each wide drawer already has two metal handles of 160 mm, the dresser will require not four, but eight Rubicon handles.

Nightstand with a door and a drawer

One piece of furniture can have two different patterns. The door has 160 mm holes, the drawer has a knob handle. Ordering two identical Rubicon handles just for symmetry is not possible without re-drilling the drawer.

Old lacquered furniture

Under the metal supports, the lacquer may have retained its original shade, while the exposed surface has darkened. After removal, light spots will appear. A new handle will cover them only if the contact area matches.

In such a situation, first decide whether:

• local restoration;

• painting the entire facade;

• preserving traces as an acceptable result;

• installing a decorative backing;

• choosing a different model.

New furniture: why check replacement if holes are not yet drilled

For new furniture, the scenario is simpler: Rubicon does not have to adapt to old traces. But the 160 mm center distance still needs to be included in the drawing before manufacturing the facades.

Advantage of new marking

You can choose:

• installation height;

• indent from the edge;

• horizontal or vertical orientation;

• position relative to the frame;

• a single line on all drawers;

• gap between paired handles.

Why buy or approve a sample first

The drawing specifies 183 × 27 × 24 × 160 mm, but does not show the tactile feel and real scale on the facade. One trial handle helps the cabinetmaker prepare the drilling template and agree on the position.

Template for series drilling

Once the model is approved, a precise jig is made. It reduces the risk of misalignment on multiple doors. Even a 1 mm error is noticeable in a long row of kitchen drawers.

How many Rubicon HL-034 to order

The quantity is determined not by the name of the furniture, but by the number of opening facades where this particular model is specified.