How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole (Works with Wood, Plastic, and Metal)

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If you just managed to extract a damaged screw and are wondering what to do side by side, you're in the correct place.

Yous could, theoretically, just take a new screw and put it in the same hole that y'all took the damaged one out of. However, I don't recommend doing that, every bit the spiral might non hold as tightly as it should.

Instead, I recommend you to fix the stripped spiral hole first using one of the techniques below.

6 Techniques to Fix Stripped Screw Holes

While some of the methods described beneath require specialized materials, others are "MacGyver-way" quick fixes. And so, there are those that are somewhere in between.

one. Using a Screw Hole Repair Kit

Last just non least, y'all can simply utilize hardware that was designed for the specific purpose – a screw hole repair kit.

While in that location are several products in this category, they are more often than not either plastic pieces similar to wall plugs or thin pieces of a material that you use to create a gripping surface for your new screw.

One of the about pop such products is the Woodmate Mr. Grip Spiral Hole Repair Kit. It essentially consists of sparse metal strips that yous cut to the required size and insert into the hole before putting in a new screw.

If y'all work with screws often – especially so if you tend to harm them on a regular basis no matter how hard you endeavor – you might do good from having such a kit handy at all times.

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two. Using Larger Screws

One of the easiest means to deal with putting a screw in an existing screw-hole is to just apply a larger screw. That can mean either a screw with a larger diameter or a longer spiral.

If yous utilize a "wider" spiral, information technology volition be able to grip onto the material around it in spite of the existing hole. On the other hand, if y'all employ a longer screw, it volition exist able to grip onto the material that the previous screw didn't attain and thus didn't impairment.

This is a adept technique for cases where esthetics don't matter, for applications where the screws will be hidden from view in one fashion or another. The reason for that is that it will look odd to take only one screw larger than all of the other ones in the same expanse of the workpiece.

3. Using Toothpicks or Matches

If you don't work with tools and hardware a lot, yous might not have some of the materials necessary for using the other methods mentioned in this list. Still, chances are you will have some toothpicks or wooden matches lying somewhere around your business firm.

You lot can take those, fill the screw-hole with them, and cut them off flush with your workpiece. Ideally, you would also add some wood glue. If you are using matches, don't forget to cutting their heads off.

While this is a fairly common way of fixing spiral holes, y'all should avoid it for professional or structural applications. In the example of the sometime, it looks amateurish. In the case of the latter, it might not provide the necessary strength.

Chances are as well – in terms of longevity – that the filling volition disintegrate sooner than your workpiece.

Especially so if you lot are using this method in combination with plastic or metal.

Fix a Screw Hole with Toothpicks

4. Using Pieces of Wood

This method is similar to the one to a higher place. Only, it looks more professional and will concluding longer.

Rather than using toothpicks or matches – which tend to exist fabricated out of low-quality wood – to fill the holes, it uses the type of wood you lot are actually working with.

Simply take a spare board, cut information technology into thin pieces about as long equally your hole is deep, and fill the hole with them. One time again, use wood glue if you have a canteen handy.

Since you are using the aforementioned material as your workpiece is made out of, you can wait the screw to stay steady for virtually as long as the other screws in your workpiece volition.

5. Using Wood Dowels

You can too use woods dowels – like those that you would observe in a set of Ikea piece of furniture – to fix damaged screw holes.

Unlike the previous methods, this method involves drilling a hole into your workpiece that is larger than the diameter of your spiral. More specifically, it requires drilling a hole that's roughly the same diameter as the dowel you plan to employ.

Once you drill the hole, you simply accept the dowel, tap information technology in – with some wood glue applied if possible – and cut it flush with your workpiece.

Now you have a brand new wooden surface to put your screw into.

Avoid using a dowel with a bore larger than the diameter of the head of the screw you are using if possible. Otherwise, you will take the dowel sticking around the screw once you screw information technology back in. And so, it will non look too skillful.

6. Using Plastic Wall Plugs

If yous are screwing into a piece of concrete, then you lot are already likely using a plastic wall plug. And so, you simply take to have that one out and supercede it with a new i.

Yet, you can likewise employ the plastic screw with other materials.

But similar when using forest dowels, though, this method volition involve drilling.

The proficient point is, though, that the plastic plug will terminal longer than the forest dowel (if longevity is of import for your application).

The plug will likely also take a smaller bore than a dowel that yous would use. And so, chances are the result might also be a bit nicer to look at.

Fixing Stripped Screw Holes in Specific Materials

Many of the methods I talked about above can be used regardless of the material that you are screwing into. However, some methods are better for certain applications than others.

Let's take a closer look at that.

How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole in Wood

If you lot stripped a forest screw and are trying to make full the hole, your best bet will exist either using pieces of the aforementioned wood you lot are working with or drilling in a dowel.

That said, pretty much any of the methods above will work fairly well.

1 matter to note, though, is that if you are working with particle boards or similar (a material that is frequently used in forest cabinets and other furniture), you desire to exist careful about using screws that are larger than the original 1. These boards are fairly prone to breaking, then you lot volition want to stick to the original screw size as much every bit possible.

How to Prepare a Stripped Screw Pigsty in Metallic

If yous are trying to repair a stripped spiral pigsty in a piece of metal, then – quite logically – avert using wood if possible.

Instead, apply a plastic wall plug if y'all can observe a size that will work for y'all or get a stripped screw hole repair kit that specifically states information technology will work with metal. The Woodmate kit that I talked virtually earlier works well in this situation.

How to Gear up a Stripped Spiral Hole in Plastic

Finally, in case your screw got damaged when working with a piece of plastic, avoid using forest too.

Yous can try gluing in a plastic wall plug, only – only every bit with metallic – you will be improve off using a specialized repair kit.

Summary

All in all, while stripping a screw can be a frustrating feel, it is not something that you should stress virtually too much. The to a higher place should be enough to get y'all started, but if you desire to learn more make sure to also cheque out my article near fixing a screw hole that is as well large.

With the right tools to extract the screw and the right techniques to make the screw hole usable over again in your armory, you should be able to deal with the problem fairly hands.

That's specially the case if you are working with wood since in that location are many ways to fix a stripped screw pigsty in a slice of wood. If your workpiece is made out of metal or plastic, then you will be better off getting a specialized stripped screw hole repair kit.