I have a question for a carpenter (Page 4): With toothpicks you'll get good strength but if you rely on the counter sink of the hinge to center the screw you're out of luck. Just like...

frankco Loc: Colorado

With toothpicks you'll get good strength but if you rely on the counter sink of the hinge to center the screw you're out of luck. Just like water seeking the path of least resistance the screw will track between the toothpicks till it gets to the hinge. Then it will try and correct for the last 1/16" resulting in a crooked screw unless of course the the gap between toothpicks is dead center. Glue and sawdust mixed together will give better strength (not that strength is a concern) and you can drill a pilot hole dead center.

lbrande

BebuLamar wrote:

I have an Earnst Dieter Hilker circa 1950's. It has a door with a piano hinge on the side. The screws came loose and the holes are kind of enlarged so I can't tighten the screws tight. I wonder what I should do? I do not want to use larger screws nor replace the hinge. Perhaps put super glue in the holes then tighten the screws?

Wood glue mixed with sawdust. Insert into hole. Let dry. Drill hole smaller than your screw, preferably 1/8" for a 3/16" hole.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Longshadow wrote:

How enlarged???

I put a toothpick (or two, or three) in the hole, break it off flush with the hinge, replace the screw.
Tighten snugly.
I would NOT use superglue.

These are good solutions. If you use superglue the screws won’t set. If you use a couple of toothpicks set with wood (white) glue new threads will be created.

BebuLamar

I got it! Thanks everyone for the help. I can only put in 1 toothpick. I had to drill a pilot hole to start the screw.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

BebuLamar wrote:

I got it! Thanks everyone for the help. I can only put in 1 toothpick. I had to drill a pilot hole to start the screw.

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

BebuLamar wrote:

I have an Earnst Dieter Hilker circa 1950's. It has a door with a piano hinge on the side. The screws came loose and the holes are kind of enlarged so I can't tighten the screws tight. I wonder what I should do? I do not want to use larger screws nor replace the hinge. Perhaps put super glue in the holes then tighten the screws?

Take some glue a Tooth pick or a smaller dowel and glue them in the hole wait until dried and with the toothpicks you can just screw it right in or with the dowel you might have to redrill the hole. The tooth pick is easier.

frankco Loc: Colorado

Scruples wrote:

These are good solutions. If you use superglue the screws won’t set. If you use a couple of toothpicks set with wood (white) glue new threads will be created.

What Happens When You Mix Super Glue and Baking Soda?
To create an even stronger and faster-curing bond, you can add baking soda to your super glue. When you mix super glue and baking soda, it accelerates the curing process. Chemically, the bicarbonate molecules in baking soda react with cyanoacrylate to create a reactive ion that more easily bonds with other cyanoacrylate molecules. These bonds establish long, polymer chains that are stronger and more resilient than cyanoacrylate-water bonding. The resultant substance is a super glue and baking soda plastic with a cement-like consistency that creates stronger, exceptionally durable bonds.

RWC Loc: Jacksonville, FL

I would not recommend super glue - it may just break up in chunks as you put the screw in. A viable solution is to fill the hole/s in with pieces of wooden toothpick/s cut off level with the side - then place your hinge and screw back into the hole you have filled with the toothpick/s. This will do the job and give you a very good and solid fix.

gamer3877

BebuLamar wrote:

I have an Earnst Dieter Hilker circa 1950's. It has a door with a piano hinge on the side. The screws came loose and the holes are kind of enlarged so I can't tighten the screws tight. I wonder what I should do? I do not want to use larger screws nor replace the hinge. Perhaps put super glue in the holes then tighten the screws?

you could put a toothpick in the hole and break it off in the hole level with the surface, then try to screw the screw in it.

dennisob Loc: Essex, Vermont

Put hot glue in the hole then flatten off the excess. Let it set a bit and drill new small holes in it.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

dennisob wrote:

Put hot glue in the hole then flatten off the excess. Let it set a bit and drill new small holes in it.

In an area where the hole is small letting hot glue set may not be the best solution. I believe that the hot glue with the pilot hole will not keep the screw steady. It may have too much play.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Use Baking Soda and Super Glue and immediately stick in the toothpick. Super glue and baking soda dries hard as a rock. We often used it to repair nicks in our wooden props on our aircraft, when I lived back home in Wales. It dries in seconds and is hard enough to file smooth in minutes.

MSW

recently had a very similar problem ... usually, i would just put the next size larger screw in there, but if you feel that this would look ugly, here's what i recommend:

first, you need to get some chopsticks (they are usually bamboo) ... put these in an electric drill and sand the tips until they just fit in the holes. a bit of good wood glue to hold them in ... let dry and cut flush with the surface of the wood.

next, you will need a hinge centering bit (don't go cheap - buy the correct size). use this to spot the holes into the newly installed bits of chopstick - this will keep everything centered.

then, complete the pilot holes, clamp down the hinge, and install the screws.

don't hurry with this - it's better if you 'sneak up on it.'

best of luck

bnsf

Have a suggestion for you. If the side that holds the hinge is wide enough the you can enlarge the hole use a plastic screw mount and tap it into the enlarged hole. After it is inserted file the plastic rim off and then insert the screw in the holder. Will never come out of the wood. Used it when the hinge on a cabinet became enlarged and it has never released. You can also glue the plastic sleeve into the wood to hold it tight also. I would use wood glue.

kbk

Depending on the screw size, several toothpicks with a good carpenters glue, let dry and break off the toothpicks and reset the screw. If larger screw hole, then glue in a golf tee, let dry and cut off the excess tee and then you may have to refill and set the screw