Forum Discussion

Explorer II

Jun 19, 2015

On repairing cabinet door hinge screw holes

We're camping for a couple of weeks with friends of ours. The bought a Keystone TT about 1 1/2 years ago and the cabinet work is atrocious. Just about all the cabinet doors are terribly misaligned, falling out or flying open in transit. A project for one of the days when the girls are out at the mall is to fix it all up.

I know this topic has been discussed in the past but I'm wondering what to do in this specific case. My plan was to use the 'ol toothpick and wood glue method to fill the old holes. Some of the screw holes for the hinges need to be moved only about 1/16". If I plug the holes with toothpicks and glue and drill an new adjacent hole, will this be strong enough? Maybe epoxy glue would be better. Or longer screws this time? I'm hoping the holes won't have to move much so that you won't see the old patched holes. Many of the roller catches have to be re-mounted but they won't be seen when doors are closed.

FWIW, this issue doesn't seem to be uncommon with Keystone. Saw the same thing on brand new units at the last RV show and have read about others having the same problem. Hard to believe they let such sloppy workmanship out the door, but they do and folks still buy them...

13 Replies

Toddupton
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
Instead of toothpicks you can get a small dowel and shave it down tap it in with glue then if you need to you can drill another hole above or below it
kgragert
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
In the furniture repair business we used either toothpicks or wooden matches.
Squirt regular cheap SuperGlue into the holes, then force the toothpicks into the holes,
Screw the screws in, forcing the Super glue into the wood and toothpicks.
Take the screws out and squirt a little water into the holes to set the glue, then install the hinges and screws.

The glue and wood will harden like formica and the screws will go in and out without sticking

And Dutchmansport is right, the manufactures use either particle board or medium density fiberboard (MDF) for the cabinets and they will not stand any pressure or hard use.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jun 19, 2015
One reason the screws don't hold up is because people lean on them or hang their weight on them without realizing it. I pulled one out in my last camper by using it tofit myself from the floor squatting to a standing position. I fixed it by renoving the hinge completely and moved it about an inch. Thend filled the old holes with putty and a touch of stain. Good as new. My current Outback has real wood cabinets instead of particle board. Big difference in strength.