How to Fix Stripped Screw Holes in Wood

97Comments

I've always wondered how to fix hinges with worn-out holes. Never thought about the anchors. Thanks!

broadcaster25

Apr 19, at 9:29am

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Never thought of using bondo. Great idea!

governor49

Apr 17, at 3:00pm

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Since when is WD-40 a "lubricant"? Admitted that is sometimes does the job, but WD stands for "water displacer". Nowhere on the package does it say that it lubricates.

Gabe Ahab

Apr 15, at 4:04pm

97Comments

I've always found that wooden match sticks driven in with a hammer to completely fill the hole works better than toothpicks as match sticks are a softer wood. I usually need to create a starter hole with an ice pick.

Ned

Apr 15, at 3:13pm

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Sometimes, instead of toothpicks You can use pieces of copper wire, i.e. thresholds, the wire won't rot.

Robert Foster

Apr 15, at 1:11am

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Thanks, Ron. You are this woman's fix-it idea man. You keep giving me great hints. Thanks again.

Wanda

Apr 15, at 12:42am

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I just removed an old toilet. To remove the water after shutting off the supply I flushed and used a grouting sponge to dry out the tank. It fit flat, sidewise and on end. Then I took the pail of water and dumped it in the bowl and it flushed half to two thirds of that water out. Just used the sponge to dry the bowl. I wore latex gloves even though it was clean water flushing. The real dirty part was removing the wax gasket. The grouting sponge also worked great removing the footprint of the old bowl.

Bill

Apr 14, at 9:11pm

97Comments

Thanks for these good ideas for stripped out screw holes in wood.

Big help to me.

Retired Roofing Contractor

(1957-2005)

Richard Schmidt

New Orleans

RichSchmidt41

Apr 14, at 6:13pm

97Comments

Thanx!

Manos

Apr 14, at 1:02pm

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Instead of using the Bondo, you can glue a piece of wood dowel into the hole then drill a new hole and screw the lag screw back in. This works very well.

papa11

Apr 14, at 12:33pm

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very good./.good advice

glenn

Apr 14, at 12:29pm

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Thanks again Ron. I knew the one with the tooth piick & I've heard of the filler but never try it.

Ernie White

Apr 14, at 11:46am

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Neat fix Ron. Learned something new with the filler fix. Thought I knew all the ways to fix a stripped thread hole.
Keep the tips coming.

Lobo Mike

Apr 14, at 11:43am

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This new information was very timely - It made fixing my door hinge a breeze! Thank you!

Apr 14, at 11:20am

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Thank you Ron, great ideas; I have used the tooth pick idea before and it does work very well, the only difference is that I add a couple drops of Elmer's Glue to the tooth picks before I insert them in the hole.

FRC

Apr 14, at 10:45am

97Comments

Thanks for the stripped screw solution. I have drawers that r made out of particleboard. How can I rebuild a part that has broken away? The slider has broken away taking some of the drawer with it. Thanks for your help..Deana Hovey.

Deana Hovey

Apr 14, at 10:09am

97Comments

Thanks, great solutions to stripped out screw holes, Sandy K. Piwowarczyk

Sandy k.

Apr 14, at 8:56am

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The one thing you didn't mention was trying to prevent the initial stripping by being careful not to have your drill on too fast and strip the hole in soft wood, my usual problem. Thanks for the tips.

yyyyyguy

Apr 14, at 8:36am

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Thank you for the auto body filler idea. I would have glued in a wooden dowl then put the leg bolt back in.

guernsey shop

Apr 14, at 8:22am

97Comments

Thank you Ron. Great ideas, I now ccan fix door hinges on two of my doors .

Karine

Apr 14, at 7:27am

97Comments

I use glued dowel rod to fix stripped screws

Lou

Apr 14, at 6:38am

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Thank you again Ron, you always have some great solutions to little aggrevating problems.

Janice

Apr 14, at 6:25am

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if you have a sheet metal screw which is stripped or for which the hole is a bit too large, just put a piece of weed trimmer line into the hole and then drive the screw. the plastic line will make a perfect hole

rich cohen

Apr 14, at 3:05am

97Comments

nice Tip Ron. Thanks

anthony

Apr 14, at 3:01am

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Great video, thanks. Now how about one for fixing stripped threaded holes in metal?

Thanks,

Rich

Rich E

Apr 14, at 2:38am

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Ron- what about threaded inserts? There are some that would screw into a drilled out hole that have internal threads . Granted, most are made for straight threads like bolts, maybe there are some for metal and wood screws (if not, new product idea).

commanderus

Apr 14, at 12:37am

97Comments

Golf tees are in my bag for fixing holes. Also cut parts of shims & fill the hole.

Bill Herr

Apr 14, at 12:36am

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bloody brilliant.....my carpenter charged me $75.00 to do this, took him 10 minutes.....next time he is fired!

rick12559

Mar 14, at 4:42pm

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great idea fixed my cabinet door Thanks

olf veldhuis

Jan 27, at 4:14pm

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hello there they are built using brackets please email me craigy

craigdattons

Apr 6, at 9:34pm

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Great advice!

Brad Bigam

Jan 11, at 4:14pm

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I LOVE THIS TIP - will use it for the bedroom hope chest......

Sheila

Jan 11, at 12:44pm

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Thanks Ron, I've used the first and second methods with great success. Although, I would be a bit leary using Bondo with a lag screw just because of the size and tension on it. A variation that I've used is to oversize a stripped hole in standard increments (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", etc) and glue a corresponding diameter piece of hardwood dowel - such as oak, to give the stripped out hole new life. You will have to wait probably an hour or more to allow adequate time for the wood glue to dry, but the results are better than new material to screw into.

Jon Shiozaki

Jan 8, at 1:48pm

97Comments

I use body filler for wood trim work. Never though of useing it for holes. Thanks Ron

Leo Szwiec

Jan 8, at 12:55pm

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Ron, I have done this for years sometimes with a little wood glue. Everyone that I have shown didn't believe me until the screw held. Use steel wool for metal but not on a heavy duty hold. Thanks for the reminder. Mary

Mary L Knaggs

Jan 8, at 2:02am

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The tip using car body filler its great. Never thought of using it in wood, have done it with metal.

Rodney

Jan 7, at 9:12pm

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Nice! Thanks.

Terry

Jan 5, at 7:46pm

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The Bondo thing might not work in outdoor, cold climates. Bondo does not shrink, wood does. Result, you loose the plug. But wait, Bondo does make a product for household use, that ought to work fine, You can use it on exterior window sills that have rotted away. Just fill in to make the sill look like real wood. "Ace is the Place"

Dccurt

Jan 4, at 2:47pm

97Comments

As usual fantastic tips and tricks. On small problems I would use steel wool to take care of filling the space or taking care of the stripped screw. Thanks for your website!

Idaho Toni

Jan 3, at 5:49am

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ron the best thing i've found for stripped out screw holes is a simple wooden golf tee.they are inexpensive and i keep a bag of them in my tool box.

john odom

Jan 3, at 2:26am

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ron the best thing i've found to reinfoce door hinge holes is a simple wooden golf tee.they are inexpensive and i keep a small bag of them in my tool box

john

Jan 3, at 2:24am

97Comments

Great tips for stripped screws. I especially liked the way to correct for a over sized hole for lag bolts, & the one I have problems with in the past . . the enlarged holes in door hinges. Thanks. P.S. I'd like to see more of your show on tv.

F. Weber

Jan 2, at 9:58pm

97Comments

nice video very informative

Daniel J Kulas

Jan 2, at 8:00pm

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I muat say I learn so much from your "classes". I am even able to talk to the workman with knowledge Thank you

karen hart

Jan 2, at 6:18pm

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The tips you provided were great, Thanks.

Joe Umbra

Jan 2, at 3:42pm

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Super tips, thanks,

Sandra K. Piwowarczyk

Jan 2, at 3:03pm

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Thank you for the other 3 tips, espeically for the door frame plastic anchors.

w. seymour

Jan 2, at 12:24pm

97Comments

great tip .

frank

Jan 2, at 11:41am

97Comments

Nice tips, like the bondo w/lag screw tip.

Mel Diggs

Jan 2, at 10:52am

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It goes to show you can learn something new everyday...the plastic anchor and Bondo were two unknowns. I have been in the homebuilding industry for 40 years and never saw either before!

Jan 2, at 8:58am

97Comments

Luv the Bondo trick

Jeri Malm

Jan 2, at 1:30am

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Thank You Ron GR88888 tips ,and Happy New Year to you and your Family

anthony

Jan 1, at 10:17pm

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it still amazes me how much i learned from my dad just through osmosis (watching him around the house) as he fixed this and that. He taught me the toothpick trick. I will remember the molly and bondo tricks for the future. Thanks

bill

Jan 1, at 9:32pm

97Comments

I have used many methods over the years. Instead of Bondo, I have used quick-set epoxy or glue with toothpicks, cardboard, or dowels. I do see why the Bondo and lube method would be useful in certain circumstances. I have also had to improvise similar solutions when concrete anchors strip out. Thanks so much for all your help, Ron! Chuck

Chuck

Jan 1, at 8:17pm

97Comments

Like the bondo tip, here is one I use, saw dust and wood glue.

croyb31974

Jan 1, at 8:15pm

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Great tips, as always, this time you showed me some I knew and some I forgot and one new one I learned from. It is always great to learn and be reminded about what is just clinking around in our heads. In my case a much older head. Thanks for the memories, Ha Ha Ha.Michael

Michael Dee R. Reeves

Jan 1, at 6:53pm

97Comments

Thank you for all your tips. I have used the toothpicks before for quite a while now. I know what to do with the extra inserts now too. Happy New Year.

Sean Hiscock

Jan 1, at 5:57pm

97Comments

You realy have saved a lot of money and time for me and you realy have good Idea's, Ron. keep up the great work and have a wonderful new year.

Lori Knechtel

Jan 1, at 4:08pm

97Comments

What a great Idea, Ron. keep up the great work in the new year.

HuffmanFamilyof4

Jan 1, at 4:04pm

97Comments

Thanks for all the tips, especially the Bondo rethread. Happy New Year! Now, about all those black holes in space.....

Dan DeGennaro

Jan 1, at 2:02pm

97Comments

Great ideas. I've used the toothpick and the larger screws lots of times but never thought to pack the hole with bodyfiller and use the screw with a release agent to make a custom threaded hole. Brilliant! For more strength maybe mix in some chopped fiberglass, too.

Bill

Jan 1, at 1:42pm

97Comments

I use dowels. just break off till hole is filled and reinsert your screw with a power drill.

Robert Mercado

Jan 1, at 1:19pm

97Comments

Ron, i must say that these tips were ones that will be very helpful to me and your multitude of readers and email recipients. Can i suggest the way i handle a problem such as this. I use dowels. I purchase the 3-4 foot long type. When ever i need to plug or fill in a screw hole, i just jab in the dowel and either break it off or cut it with a utility knife. I use a DeWalt battery powered drill to tighten down screws. Better than before, like you say. Dowels come in different size girths, or just keep breaking off till you fill hole.

Robert Mercado

Jan 1, at 1:17pm

97Comments

Thanks for all your tips. I have used a lot of them. My question is how do you make a straight side on a board (ie) 1x4 or 1x6 that is not straight on eigher side?

Phillip Cowan

Jan 1, at 12:53pm

97Comments

Great tip Ron. Learn something from you every e-mail I get. Happy New Year to you and your Better Half. Thanks again, Ron.

Dan

Jan 1, at 12:36pm

97Comments

Great tips Ron. Depending on the project involved, I like Re-Doweling. Extra Golf Tees work great. Plug cutter bits, and simply wrapping the screw with Teflon tap or masking tap works great in some cases. Love all your tips. No matter your age someone is going to have a better mouse trap when you approch a problem from a different angle. Best to you and yours for the New Year 2012, John 3:16

John A Whiting

Jan 1, at 12:32pm

97Comments

Great tips have used them all and many others from the comments. Noticed your workbench, do you have anything on building a multi purpose work bench. Thanks for all you do.

rick carter

Jan 1, at 12:21pm

97Comments

Thank-you Ron, I have been in the trades for more years than I can count. But I never tried the bondo trick. I think it's a great one. Wish I knew it when I was still working. Al

ALFRED MATURO

Jan 1, at 12:14pm

97Comments

Great tips. I particularly like the thread casting with the bondo. Thanks!!

Jim

Jan 1, at 12:02pm

97Comments

Ron-Great tips.love your show and all the great videos. Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

ART SMUDZINSKI

Jan 1, at 12:01pm

97Comments

Hi Ron you always have great tips I have been using golf tees and a good wood glue for years they work very well

Jim

Jan 1, at 11:36am

97Comments

Great tips! Thanks Rons

Jim McGohan

Jan 1, at 10:31am

97Comments

I use broken or good golf tees for small holes

Randy A. Francisco

Jan 1, at 10:28am

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The idea of using Bondo sounds great. Will try it.

Phil

Jan 1, at 9:54am

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Dont trust the bondo under pressure--much better to drill out to a dowl size , then glue and there you are Ed marx

Ed Marx

Jan 1, at 9:44am

97Comments

what is wrong with your captcha progam?

richard crowley

Jan 1, at 9:28am

97Comments

i've been using the toothpick idea for years, actually mt grandfather knew of that for years and he showed me back in the fifties. i also use pieces of shim wood and i tap them in the hole first and and snap off the excess. i have another suggeastion. sometimes you're presented with a hole in sheetrock or plaster. what you do is saturate newspaper with joint compound podge it in the hole to a depth just below the plane of the wall. it will dry without cracking or shrinking. once dry you can complete dressing it with joint compound, and sanding and finishing with primer and paint. its a bit messy on your hands, but it will make a completely invisible repair!!!

richard crowley

Jan 1, at 9:26am

97Comments

All great tips. Threaded inserts and T-nuts can also be used as a repair in many cases if you replace the wood screw with a machine screw or bolt.

mark neukirch

Jan 1, at 9:19am

97Comments

Similar to the tooth picks and dowels, I always have some golf tees in my tool bag they work well and break off easy enough provided they fit in your stripped out hole.

john logan

Jan 1, at 9:14am

97Comments

Like the others have all said, all are great ideas. And I, like them, have used a couple of them. For me the tooth pick/s and screw anchors. Have never tried the bondo trick. But my tried and true method when all possible is to use wooden dowels and glue them in, re-drill and wa-lah. Anyhow Ron, thank you for taking the time to do all these how to tip videos and I hope you and your family had a great Christmas and have a happy new year.

Ron

Jan 1, at 9:12am

97Comments

Yes the Auto filler sounds like a great idea once I heard it, but I didn't have any on hand so I drilled a larger hole to fit a dowl. Glued the dowl in place. drill taped a hole. It worked well.

Tom

Jan 1, at 8:41am

97Comments

Great summary, Ron. I've often used the toothpicks, usually with a dab of wood glue - never thought of using filler, but I don't keep it on hand. Countersink for the plastic anchors is brilliant! Jeff mentioned my other method of repair, drill out the stripped hole to match a dowel rod, such as 3/8", set it with glue, then drill a pilot hole for the screw to cut /form new threads. Give the glue an hour to set hard.

Larry Buck

Jan 1, at 8:29am

97Comments

Thanks Ron, Nice idea's I love them. P.S don't use steel wool it will rust out.

Steve Pappas

Jan 1, at 7:28am

97Comments

My man didnt know about the bondo,,said he thought he knew everything!! You learn something new everday!!!

christine

Jan 1, at 7:17am

97Comments

Happy New Year Ron....I love all your tips you give us and I watch your show every Sat. morning here at 5:30..even the old ones.Now if I could just get you to come redo my kitchen,hummmmm

becky valine

Jan 1, at 7:00am

97Comments

Great tips Ron, simple so that most anyone with any handy person skills can do one of these fixes.

Glen Chase

Jan 1, at 6:59am

97Comments

I have used your toothpick trick before, but over time the the toothpicks slide out and the screw loosens all over again. So first, I *glue* the toothpicks into place and allow the glue to set before putting the screw back into the hole and snugging it back up. Make sure to use a GOOD glue!

Jack

Jan 1, at 5:10am

97Comments

When I had that problem I'd take a piece of wood and whittle a point on it and put glue in the hole and drive the stick in.

Raymond Hamerly

Jan 1, at 4:04am

97Comments

One real cheap method of filling those oversized holes is with wooden chopsticks,,,every tool box should have a set or 6...Happy New Year Ron,, great tips you put out..

Jim Palmer

Jan 1, at 3:52am

97Comments

You left out starting over with new wood by drilling out the hole, gluing in a piece of wooden dowel, and drilling a starter hole in the dowel (if necessary).

Jeff

Jan 1, at 3:41am

97Comments

Thanks for the bondo tip. I knew it could be done but never saw it before. You made it look easy.

James Neville

Jan 1, at 3:31am

97Comments

Ron, always appreciate you solutions. Who would have thought. Thanks for again bringing light to often difficult home improvement problems.

dave west

Jan 1, at 2:05am

97Comments

Awesome tip Thanks

Gary Hu

Jan 1, at 1:57am

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A very good tip & I Thank you for it. Happy New Year to you too!!!

Ernie

Jan 1, at 1:54am

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I really enjoy your tips! Thank You !

Raymond Snyder

Jan 1, at 1:47am

97Comments

great suggestions but what do you do if the screw head is stripped out?

sharon moore

Jan 1, at 1:43am

97Comments

You forgot one of the easiest ways to handle stripped wood holes... Steel wool.... Roll up some between your fingers and such that you can put it in similar to the tooth picks. Possibly a little glue if you like, and then the screw... works as well and oft better than toothpicks....

Gerry Drake

Jan 1, at 1:38am

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How to Fix Stripped Screw Holes in Wood