Need help securing square knob to folding closet maybe custom back plate

[mikey03]

I am helping someone with a closet reno and we got folding doors. They are the cheap hollow wood kind. I put some square knobs where they wanted them but you can’t tighten them down fully. It’s one bolt and on the backside a washer and a nut.

since it’s not tightened fully the knob rotates. If it was a circular knob you wouldn’t notice. But it’s square

if you keep tightening it the washer compresses the hollow wood and there’s no end in site I’m guessing it will crack the wood exterior if I kept going

so I’m thinking either we’re dummies and there’s a particular solid wood part on the doors that your meant to drill the hole and by being solid you can tighten the screw.

or maybe people use circular knobs and if it free spins it’s no problem

but I got an idea to install it with a custom back plate that I make by cutting sheet metal into a small 2” x 2” square with some tin snips. Drill four holes. One in middle and then one on each corner. Middle hole will be the back plate for the knob bolt to pass. The other holes I put small wood screws in

the wood screws secure the sheet metal to the back of the door. Then I can use epoxy to secure the back of the bolt and nut to the sheet metal. I don’t think I could get a good bond with glue on the bolt to the wood itself esp with the daily force on the knob. But if I screw this back plate to the backside then I think a few wood screws hold that down and the epoxy can lock the knob in place.

idk though what do you guys think will work?

 

[The Cobbler]

I would put a few dabs of epoxy behind the pull , put a large fender washer or plate on the backside & tighten it up .

 

[The Cobbler]

I would put a few dabs of epoxy behind the pull , put a large fender washer or plate on the backside & tighten it up .

 

[WillyBoy]

.... and there’s a particular solid wood part on the doors that your meant to drill the hole and by being solid you can tighten the screw.

This, I think.

I've installed several bifold closet doors and this is where I've always put the knobs. I believe this is where the manufacturer recommends placement to make opening and closing easier. This is where the internal wood frame is located and the screw on the knob can be tightened.

 

[lilredex]

First thing I'd do is get rid of those doors and replace them with bi-pass doors on a track. Never a door problem again.

 

[Old tool guy]

Put a very small brad into the back of the knob, clip it off so only about 1/8” protrudes, press it into the face of the door as you tighten the screw. Get it aligned the first time, you can’t rotate the knob later.

 

[WillyBoy]

I agree! I've always preferred bi-pass. They're easier to install and set up. But.... if the guy who lives there wants bi-fold, there you are.