Repairing to reuse screw holes in customwood

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Repairing to reuse screw holes in customwood

gzt

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#293458 23-Jan-2022 12:54

What is the best way to repair flogged out screw holes in customwood?

Large pantry door with 14 screws total. Everything else is perfect. It looks like this one screw was not installed properly or there is extra stress on this screw for some reason.

20mm customwood melamine on both sides. Thrashed out beyond a larger or longer screw.

mdf

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#2855152 23-Jan-2022 13:14

Drill out the hole, plug with a suitably sized dowel and glue and then flush trim. I tend to use the 8mm fluted dowels.

jonherries

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#2855156 23-Jan-2022 13:18

Or you can stuff match sticks/skewers and pva in to the hole.

Jon

gzt

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#2855180 23-Jan-2022 14:23

mdf: Drill out the hole, plug with a suitably sized dowel and glue and then flush trim. I tend to use the 8mm fluted dowels.

Which glue do you recommend, and how to flush trim against melamine?

I will probably precut anyway but I'm curious about the technique.

mdf

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#2855200 23-Jan-2022 15:08

I just use wood PVA. Selleys Aquadhere is good for kitchens because it is weather proof /water resistant. Probably not a problem for pantries but good around the sink.

Fluted woodworking dowels already have a bevel, so I normally just dunk them in the glue then hammer into the hole. Wipe of excess glue and allow to set up - maybe an hour?

See https://www.bunnings.co.nz/pg-professional-dowel-fluted-8mm-125pk_p0139166 or https://www.bunnings.co.nz/pg-professional-dowel-fluted-10mm-40pk_p0139142

Then use a flush trim saw with a negative set to the teeth and just run it down the face. I have this one (excellent quality and service) https://piranhatools.co.nz/products/razorsaw-gyokucho-flush-cutting-saw-ryoba-style-razorsaw but there are big box equivalents https://www.bunnings.co.nz/stanley-fatmax-flush-cut-pull-saw-115mm-23tpi_p0320737

The negative set to the teeth (ie from side to side, the teeth point inwards rather than out) is important since it will stop you scratching the surface of the surrounding board. Lots of guides on YouTube.

Jase2985

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#2855205 23-Jan-2022 15:25

can cover face of board with tape to help reduce marking

neb

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#2855739 24-Jan-2022 14:15

jonherries: Or you can stuff match sticks/skewers and pva in to the hole.

That one relies on having solid timber surrounding the hole to hold the fillers in place, with MDF you're just going to end up mangling the MDF even more. @mdf's solid-plug solution is the way to go, since the plug will stabilise the hole edges.

neb

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#2855740 24-Jan-2022 14:18

mdf: Then use a flush trim saw with a negative set to the teeth and just run it down the face. I have this one (excellent quality and service) https://piranhatools.co.nz/products/razorsaw-gyokucho-flush-cutting-saw-ryoba-style-razorsaw but there are big box equivalents https://www.bunnings.co.nz/stanley-fatmax-flush-cut-pull-saw-115mm-23tpi_p0320737

The negative set to the teeth (ie from side to side, the teeth point inwards rather than out) is important since it will stop you scratching the surface of the surrounding board. Lots of guides on YouTube.

Since he knows the depth in advance, he can probably do it without needing to get a flush trim saw, just cut the dowel to 20mm (or maybe 19mm since it won't matter if it's recessed slightly) before inserting it.

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MikeAqua

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#2857199 27-Jan-2022 15:36

Just picked these up yesterday, haven't tried yet, but they look good. You snap off sections top and bottom to suit the hole and screw.

SCREW-IT-AGAIN Anchor Wood - Anchor Toggle Drywall | Mitre 10™

Mike

eracode

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#2857445 28-Jan-2022 03:16

MikeAqua:

Just picked these up yesterday, haven't tried yet, but they look good. You snap off sections top and bottom to suit the hole and screw.

SCREW-IT-AGAIN Anchor Wood - Anchor Toggle Drywall | Mitre 10™

Interesting product but not suitable for the OP’s use-case.

Near the top of the page it says ‘pack of 10’ - further down it says ‘pack of four’.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

MikeAqua

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#2859142 31-Jan-2022 11:30

eracode:

MikeAqua:

Just picked these up yesterday, haven't tried yet, but they look good. You snap off sections top and bottom to suit the hole and screw.

SCREW-IT-AGAIN Anchor Wood - Anchor Toggle Drywall | Mitre 10™

Interesting product but not suitable for the OP’s use-case.

Near the top of the page it says ‘pack of 10’ - further down it says ‘pack of four’.

Missed that it was MDF. Yes these would likely just tear it apart. Apologies OP

BTW I don't pay any attention to M10s descriptions. Often they are incorrect.

If you look at the photo the product packaging says its's a 10-pack and about 10 can be seen. Also says it's designed for wood, where as the description is all about masonry.

Mike

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#2859145 31-Jan-2022 11:41

MikeAqua:

Also says it's designed for wood, where as the description is all about masonry.

Yes I noticed that too and was going to comment here - but then thought maybe they mean they're good for fixing timber to masonry. 😀

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

FailedWOF

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#2859900 1-Feb-2022 13:07

Wooden/bamboo golf tees work really well and are cheap as chips. Widen out the hole if necessary to suit (but ensure a tight fit) and hammer to depth. Cut flush with a multitool, or score and snap if something is going to cover it.

D1023319

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#2860088 1-Feb-2022 15:45

You can buy repair pates for hinges although i havent used one myself

https://www.u-buy.co.nz/product/1CHVU9BF8-hinge-repair-plate-cabinet-door-hinges-easy-installation-hinges-for-furniture-drawer-window-stainless-steel-plate-repair-accessory-with-mounting