ᐅ How do you repair fallen MALM drawer handles?

Hello everyone, I noticed that a handle on my IKEA Malm bed has come off. Specifically, the screw that held the handle to the drawer has come out, and the handle can no longer be attached because the thread in the wood seems to be damaged.

My question is: What is the best way to repair Malm handles when the wood threads are stripped or damaged?

Is there a practical method using simple tools to reattach the handle securely, or is it necessary to replace the entire piece of furniture?

I would appreciate any advice on repair techniques as well as recommendations for the required tools or materials.

Hello, if the thread in the wood has stripped, it can usually be repaired quite well without having to replace the piece of furniture.

A proven method is to fill the old screw holes with wood glue and wooden dowels (or a smaller piece of wood) and then drill new holes for the screws. Alternatively, there are special wood filler or repair compounds that can be used to fill the holes, allowing the thread to be reestablished afterward.

The most important factors are choosing the correct dowel diameter and drilling carefully to ensure that the new thread holds securely.

I would simply use longer screws and, if necessary, work with suitable washers to ensure the handle is secure again.

I had the same issue myself once 🙂 Just put some wood glue into the hole, then press a toothpick in, let everything dry, and after that, you can screw the screw back in. It holds surprisingly well! Give it a try, it doesn’t cost much and is simple.

It is best to proceed step by step during the repair to ensure a lasting result:

1. First, thoroughly clean the damaged screw hole by removing any old wood debris.
2. Apply wood glue into the hole to create a bond similar to the original material.
3. Then insert small wood strips or toothpicks into the hole; these provide a stable base structure.
4. Wait until the glue is fully dry (at least 12 hours).
5. Afterwards, re-drill the hole using a drill bit about 1 to 2 mm smaller than the screw diameter.
6. Carefully screw in the screw, but do not apply maximum force to avoid stripping.

Additionally: If available, epoxy resin can be used instead of wood glue. It hardens more firmly and lasts longer.

If the hole is significantly oversized, using wood filler compounds for repair might be advisable.

One more question: What is the diameter of the screws and how deep is the damaged hole? If you can provide these details, I can give you more precise recommendations.

Sometimes it also helps to simply buy a repair screw. These are thicker and provide a better grip when the old hole is too large.