Shelf pins larger than 1/4 inch?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Shelf pins larger than 1/4 inch?
So our kitchen cabinets have plastic shelf clip things supporting all the shelves, similar to these. Well the house is about 12 years old and the plastic is starting to get brittle and they're starting to fail. So I went to go buy some new metal shelf pins to replace them. However I've found that the holes in my shelves are larger than all the standard pins. The hardware stores all seem to carry 5mm and 1/4" pins, by my holes are much bigger than the 1/4" pins. I measured m old pins and they are 5/16". But I can't seem to find 5/6" pins anywhere! Anyone know where I can find these bigger shelf pins?
It looks like my wife had replaced one shelf with 1/4" pins some time ago, and because they sit so loosely in the hole, it sags in the hole, and ruined that set of holes when it finally gave way. So I know 1/4" ones won't work. I can see how the ones like we currently have, even if the pin isn't big enough to fill the holes all the way, would work better than just a standard pin, because they have the backing to help keep the pin from sagging. However I know for a fact that the pins going into the holes are bigger, and fit very snug into the holes currently.
Thanks for any help you can give!
It looks like my wife had replaced one shelf with 1/4" pins some time ago, and because they sit so loosely in the hole, it sags in the hole, and ruined that set of holes when it finally gave way. So I know 1/4" ones won't work. I can see how the ones like we currently have, even if the pin isn't big enough to fill the holes all the way, would work better than just a standard pin, because they have the backing to help keep the pin from sagging. However I know for a fact that the pins going into the holes are bigger, and fit very snug into the holes currently.
Thanks for any help you can give!
#2
Group Moderator
5/16" is much less common than 1/4" so you may have to order them. When I search online for " 5/16" shelf pin" or " 8mm shelf pin" a number of suppliers appear.
#3
Member
You could try getting some heat shrink tubing to cover the pins.
Might be enough to snug them up.
Might be enough to snug them up.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
5/16" is much less common than 1/4" so you may have to order them. When I search online for " 5/16" shelf pin" or " 8mm shelf pin" a number of suppliers appear.
You could try getting some heat shrink tubing to cover the pins.
Might be enough to snug them up.
Might be enough to snug them up.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
7mm is a more common size. They also make shelf pin inserts (grommets) for oversized holes.
First step is figuring out the exact size of your hole.
First step is figuring out the exact size of your hole.
#7
Yes sounds like you might want a grommet and 7mm pin. It will be difficult to drill a nice clean hole if you need to drill a new 8mm hole for example.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Yes sounds like you might want a grommet and 7mm pin. It will be difficult to drill a nice clean hole if you need to drill a new 8mm hole for example.
Here is a pic of the current pin (broken off). I had nothing at the moment to show scale or measurement, but just to give you an idea of the shape and style.
#9
7mm is slightly larger than 1/4 so that could be it. Hard to know until you try it. Yes some of the holes could be wallowed out somewhat.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
7mm is slightly larger than 1/4 so that could be it. Hard to know until you try it. Yes some of the holes could be wallowed out somewhat.
#11
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#12
Member
Thread Starter
Huh, those seem like they might be the right ones. I'm really hoping to replace them with metal ones so they will last a lot longer, but I may have to end up using those. Thanks!
#13
Member
Thread Starter
So here are a couple measurements of my current pins if anyone is interested. First pic is of the flat edges at 7.53mm:
And on the ridges it measures 7.9mm:
I measured the holes and they came out to 7.91mm.
And on the ridges it measures 7.9mm:
I measured the holes and they came out to 7.91mm.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
Nice caliper. That takes the guess work out of it.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
You could drill new 1/4" holes next to the existing holes.
#18
Member
I have successfully used plastic tubing slipped over the posts of metal brackets to fit them into oversized holes. See if you can find some 1/4 inch tubing with the appropriate wall thickness to fit the 1/4 inch brackets into the existing holes. Multiple layers of heat shrink tubing could also be used.
#19
Member
Thread Starter
I have successfully used plastic tubing slipped over the posts of metal brackets to fit them into oversized holes. See if you can find some 1/4 inch tubing with the appropriate wall thickness to fit the 1/4 inch brackets into the existing holes. Multiple layers of heat shrink tubing could also be used.