Measuring drawer pull handles
How to measure drawer pulls? Pull handles sizes, standard drawer pull size and drawer pull sizes in general. These are questions and considerations we recognise when it comes to measuring drawer pull handles. In this article, we cover:
What's a pull handle?
What about recessed pull handles?
How to measure drawer pulls
How to measure pull handles
What's a pull handle?
First, let’s talk about pull handles in general. Industrial pulls have to be strong and durable to stand up to repeated use. As handle design goes, they’re one of the most varied, from machine handles to flush door pulls.
You’ll find them in rack enclosure cabinets, an outdoor telecom equipment cabinet, machine and desk drawers and other applications.
An advantage of a pull handle is that it helps diffuse the weight across a larger area. This makes it easier to open heavier doors or drawers. But where do you begin when trying to determine what size you need?
Industrial door pulls have to accommodate multiple users, so you need to think about hand size, which involves anthropometric data. Anthropometrics is the study of human measurements, which is used by designers to develop products, including an industrial handle, in order to give them an ergonomic grip.
To learn more about handle types, read our guide: Handle design: T, L and pull handles
What about recessed pull handles?
What are the best door handles? That depends on your application. When space is limited, or where protruding handles create safety risks, recessed pull handles are ideal. You can get them as a screw mount or snap in. They’re embedded into the surface of your application, necessitating a cut-out equal to the depth of the handle. The size you choose is therefore determined by your panel thickness.
How to measure drawer pulls?
For industrial drawer pulls, you might be dealing with the need for more than one handle. It depends on the size of the drawer.
Standard base and wall cabinets are usually between 12 and 36 inches. If this is the case, it’s typical to use 3- or 4-inch pull handles. If your cabinets are larger than standard, you’ll need larger pulls. Look for ones that run between 6 and 12 inches.
Width is important
If the width of your drawers measures 18 inches or less, you’ll need more than one pull handle. This will make opening the drawer easier, though you also have the option of using a long pull handle, which could possibly free up one hand.
How to measure pull handles
When reading product specifications, it helps to understand the terminology.
- On center, or center-to-center: The distance from the center of one screw hole to the center of the other screw hole
- Overall length: The distance from one end of the pull to the other end. This is always longer than the on-center measurement
- Projection: This is how far the pull sticks out from the surface after installation – does not factor into your measurements, but it’s still good to know
Using an Essentra drawer handle, here’s how to measure to get your mounting points:
Step 1. Measure on center. In the example below, it’s 100 mm, or 3.9 in.
Step 2. Measure the overall length. In the example below, it’s 110 mm, or 4.3 in.
Step 3. Take the measurement for the diameter, or width, of the end. In this case, it’s 10 mm, or 0.39 in.
Step 4. Take the overall length of 110 mm/4.3 in and subtract the two halves of the end diameter. 2.5 mm + 2.5 mm= 5 mm, or 0.195 in + 0.195 in= 0.39 in
The measurement you’re looking for is: 110 mm – 5 mm = 105 mm OR 4.3 in - 0.39 = 3.91 in
Other drawer pull handles you might be interested in:
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Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.