how to fix stripped screw holes in wood

Understanding how to remedy a stripped screw hole becomes crucial when the screw becomes ineffective, either by spinning endlessly or easily dislodging from its position. This issue often manifests in scenarios like loose door hinge screws, where the screw fails to provide adequate grip.

While relocating the screw to a different spot is often the preferred solution, it’s not always feasible. Fortunately, repairing a stripped screw hole is a relatively simple task, with several affordable solutions available. In fact, you might already possess the necessary materials, making the process even more accessible.

Method	Appropriate For	Pros	Cons
Add longer screw	Wood	Solid attachment	Not possible with thin materials
Add wider screw	Wood or metal	No special tools or materials required	Widening may not be desirable
Fill hole	Wood	Uses materials commonly on hand	May split wood
Metal screen	Wood	Comparable to new threads	Difficult to insert in hole
Plastic wood anchor	Wood	Easy, fast	May split wood
Liquid stripped thread repair	Metal	Easy to use	Low holding power
Threaded metal insert	Metal	Retain old fastener size if desired	Insert may pull out
New threads (tap-and-die)	Metal	Strong, since new threads are cut in the metal	Must use a wider screw in new hole

Table of Contents

Before diving into the repair process, it’s essential to grasp some key terminology:

Thread: This refers to the raised spiral on a screw.
Crest: The crest marks the outermost point of the thread.
Maximum Diameter: It’s the distance between two opposing crests, representing the thread’s widest point.
Pitch: The pitch denotes the angle of the threads.

Repairing a stripped screw hole in wood or metal necessitates different methods depending on the material:

Screw Holes in Wood:

When a screw strips its hole in wood, it removes material up to the thread’s crest, leaving the area devoid of wood to grip onto. The simplest solution involves using a longer screw to bypass the stripped section and penetrate deeper into the wood. Alternatively, you can fill the hole with wood, line it with a metal screen repair kit, or utilize a plastic snap-off wood anchor.

WARNING:

When adding a longer hinge screw into a door jamb, exercise caution by using a low-torque setting on your drill/driver or opting for a manual screwdriver. This precaution prevents the longer screw from reaching the framing behind the jamb and potentially twisting the door frame out of alignment.

Screw Holes in Metal:

In metal, a stripped screw hole widens to match the thread’s crest width. Unlike wood screws that can grasp material along the entire shank, screws in certain metal types may only engage a thin layer. For instance, steel entry doors often have metal thickness ranging from 14 to 16 gauge (5/64-inch to 1/16-inch). The optimal methods for fixing a stripped screw hole in metal include driving a wider-diameter screw, applying liquid stripped thread repair, adding a threaded metal insert, or creating new threads using a tap-and-die set.

Tip

Heli-Coil and E-Z-Lok E-Z Coil stand out as prominent brands offering threaded metal inserts, also referred to as threaded bushings.

What You’ll Need:

Equipment/Tools for a Stripped Screw Hole in Wood:

Drill
Driver bits
Manual screwdriver
Sandpaper

Equipment/Tools for a Stripped Screw Hole in Metal:

Drill
Driver bits
Tap-and-die set

Materials for a Stripped Screw Hole in Wood:

Larger screw
Wood matchsticks, toothpicks, or dowels
Wood glue
Screw hole repair kit (metal screen)
Plastic snap-off wood anchor

Materials for a Stripped Screw Hole in Metal:

Threaded inserts
Cutting oil
Liquid stripped thread repair

Instructions:

How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole in Wood:

Replace Screw With a Longer Screw:

When dealing with a stripped screw hole in wood, the simplest solution is to install a new screw that’s longer than the previous one.

Measure the length of the stripped screw, or use a toothpick or wire inserted into the hole to gauge the length.
Tip: Increase the depth of the stripped screw hole by double or even triple to determine the appropriate length for the new, longer screw.
Note: Due to frequent use, door hinge screws often strip their holes. Hinge screws typically measure 1 inch long, while replacement extended screws, designed for repairing stripped holes in door casing, typically range from 2-1/4 to 3 inches long.

Fill Screw Hole With Material:

To repair the stripped threads, fill the screw hole with wood, such as matchsticks, toothpicks, or dowels.

Apply a few drops of wood glue to the stripped screw hole.
Insert the filling material into the hole, ensuring a tight fit.
Snap off any excess material flush with the surface and wipe away any remaining glue.
Sand down any protruding material from the hole.
Position the screw tip on the fill material and drive the screw directly into the filler.

WARNING

Be cautious when working with wood that seems prone to splitting.
Metal Screen Repair Kit:
Certain types of screw hole repair kits utilize a metal screen with sharp ridges, mimicking screw hole threads.
Use scissors to cut long, narrow strips of screen material. Cut two or more strips depending on the hole size.
Insert the screen material lengthwise into the hole.
Place the screw tip into the hole.
Tighten the screw with a manual screwdriver.
Plastic Snap-Off Wood Anchor:
This method involves screwing a cone-shaped polypropylene anchor into the hole to serve as filler material for the new screw threads.
Gently screw the anchor into the stripped screw hole using a manual screwdriver.
Stop screwing when it’s no longer possible to continue without stripping the anchor’s head.
Snap off the wood anchor flush with the wood surface.
Insert the new screw into the wood anchor.
Tip: In an emergency, a plastic drywall anchor can be used to repair a stripped screw hole in wood, though its holding strength may not match that of a plastic snap-off wood anchor.
How to Fix a Stripped Screw Hole in Metal:
Replace Screw With a Wider Diameter Screw:
The simplest way to address a stripped screw in metal is to upgrade to a larger-diameter screw. For sheet metal, this often becomes the only feasible option aside from patching and re-drilling.
Select a screw large enough to grip the metal but not too large to interfere with peripheral items like hinges or brackets.
Drive the new screw into the metal either manually or with a low-speed electric drill.
Slow down the drill as the screw head nears the metal.
Stop driving once the screw head is completely submerged (touches the metal).
Tip: Avoid overdriving the screw once it’s fully submerged. Continued driving can enlarge the hole and necessitate the use of an even larger screw.
Liquid Stripped Thread Repair:
Liquid stripped thread repair forms new threads from an A/B solution that catalyzes upon mixing, creating a hard substance.
Apply the release agent to the screw.
Mix the two parts on a piece of cardboard.
Fill the screw hole halfway with liquid thread repair. If the hole extends through the metal, add painter’s tape to hold in the liquid.
Insert the desired screw into the hole and liquid.
Once the substance hardens, remove the screw.
Clean the screw.
Apply thread locker to the screw.
Re-insert the screw.

Add a Threaded Metal Insert:

When the screw hole needs to maintain its original diameter or be reduced, use tanged threaded inserts. These inserts are sleeves that replace lost material from the boring process, featuring a tang—a small metal tab facilitating the rotation of the threaded insert.

Determine the screw diameter using a thread gauge.
Determine the screw thread pitch with a thread pitch gauge.
Select the correct size of threaded metal insert from the kit based on your measurements.
Enlarge the hole using your drill and bit set, as indicated by the kit’s instructions.
Apply cutting oil to the tap, then use a socket wrench set and the provided tap to create threads in the hole.
Thread the metal insert onto the applicator tool included in the kit.
Position the applicator tool against the top of the hole and rotate it to insert the metal insert.
The tang will remain at the bottom of the screw hole. Remove the tang by tapping it with the tang break-off tool included in the kit or a hammer and metal punch.

Cut Threads With a Tap-and-Die Set:

When the screw hole in the metal can be enlarged to accommodate a wider diameter screw, use the tap-and-die method. This method is similar to using threaded inserts but does not involve inserting a separate sleeve.

Multi-piece tap-and-die sets capable of tapping and threading various metal screw holes are available, with prices ranging from $30 to $50 for basic kits and $200 to $300 for larger, higher-quality kits.

FAQ:

Can you rethread a screw hole?

There are multiple methods for rethreading a screw hole in wood and metal to ensure strength comparable to the original hole, including using wider screws, filling holes, and employing liquid stripped thread repair and tap-and-die kits.

What is the best glue for a stripped screw hole?

Cyanoacrylate glue, commonly known as super glue, is a quick-bonding adhesive ideal for fixing stripped screw holes. Fill the hole with the glue, allow it to set for a few minutes, then reinstall the screw.

How do you fix a screw that keeps turning?

If a screw keeps turning, it may indicate issues with thread cutting, an unthreaded neck portion of the screw, or a stripped hole or screw. Depending on whether you are trying to insert or remove the screw, various methods can be used, such as using pliers to lift the screw head, wedging a multitool under the head, or applying reverse pressure while drilling.

How do you remove a stripped screw without a drill?

Locking pliers can be effective for removing a stripped screw without a drill. Grip the screw head with the pliers and twist it right and left to loosen it in the hole, enabling you to lift it out.