How to fit knobs so they turn??

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

Apologies if this is the wrong section!

I'm making a toy kitchen for my DS and have come up against a problem with the cooker 'knobs' - I think I need double-ended screws to attach them to the table I'm using (an ikea lack) as the top is one solid block, however I really want them to be able to turn as that seems to be where DS has most of his fun!

Has anyone any ideas how I go about this? I don't want him to be able to unscrew them obviously!

Tia

I don't know.

But, what size are the knobs and what are you fastening them to?

double ended screws will be fairly expensive and will come undone.

here's a web page about knobs

(safe)

Nope they're more like this - I pinched them off a chest of drawers someone was throwing out!

I have ordered these and will be fixing the knobs to one of these

Use the screws you've been given squirt a load of strong glue over the screws before screwing the knob on. The screw the knob on until it is close to the "cooker" but the screw still turns in the hole - you will need to drill the hole slightly larger than the screw.

The knob will then be attached to the screw but the screw will turn in the hole through the cooker.

(how many times can I use the word screw in a post?)

The hole through the table only needs to be slightly bigger than the screw as you don't want droopy knobs [gratuitous innuendo]

glue the screw into the knob and put washers on the outside and inside of the bit the screw goes through.

so...glue into screwhole in back of knob, washer or two onto screw put screw through the drilled hole, add another washer or two and fix knob to screw.

soupdragon if the holes are bigger than the screw what's to stop the knobs being pulled off?

catsmumma there isn't an accessible 'inside' - its a solid block, you can't get to the back if that makes sense?

Er... the head of the screw!

If it's a solid block you're stuffed.

OK - brain in gear.

You attach the knobs as described but to a separate piece of wood.
On the table, drill shallow holes to accommodate the head of the screw or countersink the back of the separate wood.
Attach the separate wood to the table edge.

There isn't a head of the screw, they're pointy at both ends to allow for the solid block problem!

IMO it won't work with double headed screws. You need ordinary ones.

I had considered a separate piece of wood but am too lazy in heavily pregnant/in pain state to go to the shops thought it might be possible without.

Darn it. Back to the drawing board it is then. If it were for any other child I wouldn't bother with them turning but it might keep DS's mitts off my actual ovenfor a bit if I do manage it. Thank you for all the suggestions

Strike out fail

The problem with a double headed screw is that it will be fixed at both ends, thus not turning. Well, they do turn but they unscrew. The knobs on my TV cabinet twiddle off nicely leaving a pointy screw. [sigh]

Yes that's my concern. So I think I either need to forget the turning idea and glue the screws into the table and the knobs, or get a separate piece of wood, screw the knobs into that so they turn and then screw that to the table. Due in less than 3 weeks and want the kitchen to be a present 'from the baby' - I think I'm being a little ambitious but determination will get me through (plus I want the satisfaction of doing it myself/saving a fortune on a bought one)

those knobs you were given - do they fix with a woodscrew, or have they got a threaded insert for a bolt (machine screw) to fit? If so, have you got those screws?

They fit with a wood screw

I might be missing something but i think i would get some long wood screws, washers - maybe as close to the knob diameter as possible. The screw shank should pass through but not the head.

Drill a hole in the table bigger than the screw diameter so that the teeth slip through but no so big that it is loose.

put 1 or 2 washers on the screw and push it up through the hole in the table. Put another 1 or 2 washers on. Drill a pilot hole for the screw in the knob. Fill with glue. Screw the knob on to the screw so that the system will turn loosely in the hole.

Does that sound like it might work?
I have got slightly distracted by the inneundo possibilities of this thread so may not be making sense

Btw i think this is a brilliant idea. Please post pics when you have done it!!

Tricot - apparently the table is solid so there's nowhere to screw. [snigger]

Right I've bought a separate piece of wood to screw on, will be trying out some of your ideas tonight and tomorrow (bump permitting) - will try and post some pics if I can work out how!

Do not glue or screw anything to your bump!