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Old 13-06-2022, 07:50   #31
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Originally Posted by chris95040 View Post
Hi Folks,

I have a complicated teak hatch with a zillion fastener holes that are worn out. Woodscrew threads only engage at the very end, no room for longer screws, larger diameter won't work because of required head geometry. The holes are for all manner of bronze googaw that cannot be relocated either.

I guess I'll fill the holes with thickened epoxy and redrill pilot holes, but it always seems like the epoxy is just shattering to smithereens when I do that. Figured I'd check if anyone had better ideas for what to use. Skinny little dowel?

I use wood toothpicks. Pick your glue.
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Old 13-06-2022, 08:32   #32
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

We've seen a number of solutions in this thread - all good depending on the situation. I've used toothpicks and matchsticks in a pinch for smaller screw holes (say, ≤ 3/32"). I only use these for holes in which I'll replace the screw - I never use them to plug holes where the plug will be seen (when, say, you move the fastener location a bit). Besides, you wouldn't believe how difficult it is to find teak or mahogany toothpicks or matchsticks.

Usually, I keep some scrap stock of the wood (in my case usually teak, mahogany, or fir) and just whittle a plug (we all carry a pocket knife, yes?) of the proper size (dia and depth) and glue it in using Weldwood (or some other waterproof glue whose color closely matches the original wood). This is good for dia ≤ 3/16".

For larger screw holes (for say, #10 - 3/8") I drill them out and glue in round plugs. You can buy plugs (West Marine, on-line, etc. - get the tapered ones) - or make your own. I recommend getting the W.L Fuller #8 Countersink set (https://www.jamestowndistributors.co...ct-detail/2800 - or elsewhere) for all your drilling, filling needs. Like others, I don't like using dowels because dowel plugs present the end grain - and (like others) I've found that the end grain doesn't hold as well as cross-grain.

I sometimes use the threaded inserts - but only for fasteners that I'll need to screw and unscrew relatively often - almost never for fasteners that will stay in place for the duration. When you do this, remember that you're replacing a wood screw with a machine screw. Also - I've had an uncomfortable number of the small inserts break when trying to screw them into hardwood. Getting half-inserted broken threaded inserts back out can be tedious.

Filling with (thickened) epoxy may work - but then, I'd replace the wood screw with a machine screw - I wouldn't use a wood screw in an epoxy-lined hole. I've drilled and tapped, and used the wax-on-the-screw method. Both work pretty well for machine screws. The wax-on-the-screw method works best for situations where you have a way to hold the screw perpendicular to the working surface (and at a stable depth).
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Old 13-06-2022, 08:46   #33
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Read West System recommendations. See page 32 in this:
https://www.westsystem.com/wp-conten...anual-2015.pdf

Be sure if you use epoxy and you want to remove the fastenings in the future that you wax the fastening threads before fastening them.

Agree,
I use West Systems GFlex G655, and often add some silica for strength. If the hole is small, I'll drill it out to about a quarter inch to get the epoxy in.
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Old 13-06-2022, 08:47   #34
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

Really simple fix - on any wood screw that is no longer grabbing, stick a single wooden toothpick in, break it off at the top of the hole, reinsert wood screw. It will now grab, no glue required. Granddad taught me that one, from before epoxies were created….

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Old 13-06-2022, 08:52   #35
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Originally Posted by Larryo View Post
Agree,
I use West Systems GFlex G655, and often add some silica for strength. If the hole is small, I'll drill it out to about a quarter inch to get the epoxy in.

agree with trying the GFlex .. it is expensive but amazing stuff .. and I believe it is not brittle like regular epoxy. also takes a bit longer to set up and sticks to almost anything.
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Old 13-06-2022, 09:08   #36
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

Toothpicks and waterproof glue is pretty effective. In a pinch I've used whittled wood strips, or thin tiewrap trimmings.
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Old 13-06-2022, 09:11   #37
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

The acceptede way is as discussed in previous post. Drill out and tap in hardwood dowels soaked in epoxy. Make sure it's hardwood Ramin is a good one beware of american oak and popular, they actually rot well.
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Old 13-06-2022, 09:33   #38
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

I use Mr. Grip, metal perforated strips, available from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Woodmate-2498...c&hvdvcmdl=&hv
locint=&hvlocphy=9008151&hvtargid=pla-916549336501&psc=1

These fix all kinds of screw holes. Cut thin strips with scissors, fold in half and force into the hole (fold end first). The metal perfs grip the screw and the wood for a solid fit.
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Old 13-06-2022, 11:32   #39
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Thread-serts and machine screws?
Redrill, screw in, done!
I prefer the hex drive type, these are slot head drive brass:
https://www.amazon.com/Z-400-006-Thr...NsaWNrPXRydWU=
It's an engineering thing. An insert provides more hold down force than a screw in the original hole. More shear area.
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Old 13-06-2022, 12:33   #40
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

Lots of techniques that would work so far, toothpicks work but they do rot in a marine environment...


Here is another two cents. Try an epoxy putty stick (there are name brands, and many generics. You cut a slice off and knead the colors together until they are one solid color, the initial consistency is like 'play-doh'. I like this method to fill stripped wooden holes because you can force the putty in by 'tamping' it in with a stick or blunted nail. After several hours, drill and insert a screw. This epoxy 'dough' does not shatter, in theory, you can even tap threads in it (although I haven't tried that approach). The epoxy stick method worked for me on both MDF and particle board furniture, both are notorious materials for stripping out holes with a metal screw, after several removal/insertion cycles.



or... try just plain old 'PL premium adhesive', initially it is like peanut butter. It can also be drilled when it completely sets up (wait a day). It is a one part polyurethane 'all purpose construction glue', (it is waterproof but not suited for prolonged immersion). It is available in the 'caulks and adhesive tube' section of big box and hardware stores.
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Old 13-06-2022, 12:36   #41
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Originally Posted by chris95040 View Post
Hi Folks,

I have a complicated teak hatch with a zillion fastener holes that are worn out. Woodscrew threads only engage at the very end, no room for longer screws, larger diameter won't work because of required head geometry. The holes are for all manner of bronze googaw that cannot be relocated either.

I guess I'll fill the holes with thickened epoxy and redrill pilot holes, but it always seems like the epoxy is just shattering to smithereens when I do that. Figured I'd check if anyone had better ideas for what to use. Skinny little dowel?
This is a longer term solution but it's great to have this for this problem. There is a drill bit thats not easy to find that I believe is used for splicing trees. It drills a tapered hole that is the same taper as a pencil sharpener. you then stick a dowel an a pencil sharpener, cut off a piece and glue it in the hole to have a solid wood substrate for your new screw. Use an appropriate size vix bit to center the screw.
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Old 13-06-2022, 12:57   #42
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

I have not done the below procedure on my boat, but I have on many a wood screw that has stripped its "receiver." I have also used he below procedure to fill holes in wood after I have removed something that was attached (like a hinge, etc.)

Order some Chinese food. Remember to ask for extra chopsticks.
Save the chopsticks, put them aside for later.
Use a fork to eat your meal.
Make some hot tea and save the used teabag in a saucer for later too.
Enjoy your meal.

After you have finished eating, locate all of the holes that need to be filled/repaired.
Clean out the hole(s) trying not to make it/them any larger than absolutely necessary.

Insert chopstick into the hole. If the tip of the chopstick is must smaller than the hole, snip off the first 1/4" or so. Now insert the "fatter" chopstick into the hole and push it in as deep as you can into the hole. Cut the end of chopstick flush with the "receiving" wood surface.

Take the used tea bag to stain the end of chopstick to color of surrounding wood by patting the end of the chopstick repeatedly with the damp tea bag. The tea will stain the wood to match the surrounding wood.

Done.

I am not a fan of epoxy to fill holes in wood because epoxy hardens "hard" and it becomes unforgiving when being screwed into. An epoxy filled hole will tend to crack the surrounding wood as it is being "pushed" aside by a screw.

Wood glue is a much better alternative. I have also put some wood glue on the chopstick before cutting it flush so that it does not rotate in the fill hole when inserting the new screw.

I have also used wood dowls and they work just fine. Chopsticks are free and bamboo is a very strong wood. Bamboo also has longitudinal "strings" that do an excellent job of holding a screw in place.

I have never split the "receiving" wood using the bamboo plug method.
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Old 13-06-2022, 13:54   #43
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

Try " Chemical Metal"
It comes in a sausage like shape with an inner core of resin and a layer of hardener around it (like a stick of rock confectionery)
Slice a piece off and kneed it until the colour of uniform.
Fill your space and before it sets screw in a (lightly silicone greased bolt)
Gently unscrew the bolt and wait until the CM sets hard.
Screw the bolt into the thread that you created.
This stuff even sets under water and it really is like metal.
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Old 14-06-2022, 08:03   #44
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

On a boat, a temporary fix is not what you are really after, much better is to aim for a "one and done" fix. After determining that vibration and hull flex are the enemies, I realized the best fix would be something to take up space that could also flex and absorb vibration. Somehow I came to learn the true primary and perhaps most useful use for zip ties. For this reason, zip ties are a safety item to always have onboard. Simply snip off an appropriate size piece which takes up the extra space plus about half of the space filled by the screw itself, stick it in the hole and put the original size screw right back in place. I found it supports normal tightening torque and you do not have to waste your time or money filiing or redrilling anything. It works equally well in oversize wood holes. It does not work in oversize metal, which can sometimes be repaired with JB Weld. once the epoxy cures you need to spot and re-drill the epoxy very close to the minor diameter of the particular screw. As for the zip tie method, no need to use a bigger or longer screw. It is essentially a permanent repair, the nylon takes up the space and the screw will do its job without having to revisit it for a future repair which is limited to adding slightly more or new piece of zip tie material.
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Old 16-06-2022, 11:52   #45
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Re: Best filler for worn out woodscrew holes

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Originally Posted by snippet View Post
Some great ideas here, particularly JPCate. However, the OP does not indicate the material they are repairing in order to drill new pilot holes; different materials = different solutions.
Actually I did mention that it is a teak hatch.

But otherwise I agree, great suggestions from this crowd and thanks everyone!

(I have used the toothpick trick many times for household stuff, somehow it doesn't feel yachty enough. Far too easy and not nearly expensive enough.)
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