How to fix plastic screw holes.
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If you just got a damaged screw and are wondering what to do next, you are in the right place.
You could just take a new screw and put it in the same hole you took the damaged one out of.I don't recommend doing that as the screw might not hold as tightly as it should.
Some of the methods are "MacGyver-style" quick fixes, while others require specialized materials.There are some that are in between.
You can use hardware that was designed for the specific purpose, such as a screw hole repair kit.
While there are several products in this category, they are generally either plastic pieces similar to wall plugs or thin pieces of material that you use to create a gripping surface for your new screw.
The Woodmate Mr is one of the most popular products.There is a repair kit for screw holes.It consists of thin metal strips that you cut to the required size and insert into the hole before putting in a new screw.
If you tend to damage screws on a regular basis no matter how hard you try, you might benefit from having a kit at all times.
The easiest way to put a screw in an existing hole is to use a larger screw.That can mean either a larger screw or a longer one.
If you use a wider screw, it will be able to grip onto the material around it in spite of the existing hole.If you use a longer screw, it will be able to hold onto the material that the previous screw didn't reach.
For applications where the screws will be hidden from view in one way or another, this is a good technique.It will look odd to have only one screw larger than all of the others in the same area.
If you don't work with tools and hardware a lot, you might not have some of the materials necessary for using the other methods mentioned in this list.There are toothpicks and wooden matches around your house.
You can take those, fill the screw-hole with them, and cut them off.You should also add some wood glue.Cut their heads off if you are using matches.
This is a fairly common way of fixing screw holes, but you should avoid it for professional or structural applications.It looks amateurish in the case of the former.In the case of the latter, it might not be enough.
In terms of longevity, there is a chance that the filling will break sooner than the workpiece.
Rather than using toothpicks or matches to fill the holes, it uses the type of wood you are actually working with.
Take a spare board, cut it into thin pieces, and fill the hole with them.If you have a bottle, use wood glue.
Since you are using the same material as your work, you can expect the screw to stay in place for a long time.
If you want to fix damaged screw holes, you can use wood dowels, like those found in a set of Ikea furniture.
Unlike the previous methods, this method involves drilling a hole larger than the diameter of the screw.It requires a hole that is roughly the same diameter as the one you plan to use.
Once you drill the hole, you simply take the dowel, tap it in, and cut it with wood glue.
If possible, use a screw with a diameter larger than the head of the screw.If you screw it back in, the dowel will stick around the screw.It will not look good.
If you screw into a piece of concrete, you will most likely use a plastic wall plug.You just have to replace that one with a new one.
If longevity is important for your application, the plastic plug will last longer than the wood dowel.
The plug is likely to have a smaller diameter than the one you would use.The result might be a bit nicer to look at.
Regardless of the material you are using, many methods can be used.Some methods are better than others.
If you stripped a wood screw and are trying to fill the hole, your best bet is to use pieces of the same wood you are working with.
One thing to note, though, is that if you are working with particle boards or similar (a material that is often used in wood cabinets and other furniture), you want to be careful about using screws that are larger than the original one.The boards are prone to breaking and so you will want to stick to the original screw size.
If you are attempting to repair a stripped screw hole in a piece of metal, you should avoid using wood.
If you can find a size that will work for you, use a plastic wall plug instead of a stripped screw hole repair kit.The Woodmate kit works well in this situation.
If your screw gets damaged when working with a piece of plastic, don't use wood as well.
You will be better off using a specialized repair kit if you try to glue in a plastic wall plug.
stripping a screw can be frustrating, but it is not something that you should stress about too much.If you want to learn more, you should check out my article about fixing a screw hole that is too large.
You should be able to deal with the problem fairly easily if you have the right tools and techniques.
If you are working with wood, there are many ways to fix a stripped screw hole.If your work is made of metal or plastic, you should get a stripped screw hole repair kit.