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Topic: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws  (Read 805 times) previous topic - next topic

Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

The screws on my entry door handle are loose. They barely hold the handle in place. I am sure it will break soon. It needs to be fixed.

One way is to buy larger screws. But those screws are already pretty large. I couldn't find appropriate one from home depot. And bigger screw might not solve the problem if the wood is too loose inside the hole.

So I start thinking. The reason why the screws are loose is because the wood is loose inside so there is nothing to grip on. If I can add little wood into the hole, it should work. The cheapest little wood is wood toothpick. It is so cheap that I can even afford to put two in the hole.😂

To make it even stronger, I added some wood glue to the hole. Now the door handle is super sturdy!

I think this could be used to fix almost all loose wood screws.

Now wood toothpick will have a place in my toolbox

1991 Grand Villa U300

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #1 –
I carry wood match sticks and glue.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #2 –
Matches are a little softer than matches.  They work better in some instances.
1998 U320 40'
2005 GMC Yukon
MC# 17609

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #3 –
If round hole use dowel pins. Drill oversized hole to pin size, glue and hammer in and let dry. Re-drill hole to original size. 
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #4 –
If you are screwing into wood put a bit of wood glue on the screw and screw it in. The glue will help keep the screw tight.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #5 –
This works
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #6 –
Ours was loose when we got it, tried all the fixes still worked loose.
Finally pulled out the drawer under the stove and through bolted it, sealant was used to keep water out.
Full disclosure, my 10 year old grandson had to reach in and place the washers and start the lock nut.

It's not loose anymore.
Frank & Connie Williams
1999 U320 '36
Build: 5466
MC: 18335

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #9 –
I use bamboo skewers and glue works great.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #10 –
I use G Flex epoxy and 406 By west products and soak super fine steelwool in it. It is stronger than new. Works great in fiber glass.
I stuff the mixture in the hole and let it dry and then insert the screw.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #11 –
The  tooth pick fix has been the mainstay fix for most of us for years I think
Johnh
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #13 –
Toothpick for the small screws, wood matches for larger and a dab of JB Weld as you stick the toothpick/match in. For larger hole and rot, use epoxy wood filler. Give it time to set and then drill a pilot hole a little smaller than the screw.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #14 –
Sounds good to me...a piece of wood that is not waterproof, will rot faster than the original frame wood, and goes in to a hole where the screw will chew it up. ^.^d
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #15 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
The  tooth pick fix has been the mainstay fix for most of us for years I think
Johnh

My dad taught me sixty some years ago. It's been around for ages. I last used it last month.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer
 

Re: Cheapest way to fix loose wood screws

Reply #16 –
On larger screws I use a piece of a small tie wrap. Last's a long time.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'