Screw Hole Too Big

[wsac5er]

Just replaced an outside marker light, but the screw was not able to grab (because the hole was too big).

What is the best way to repair this?

Thank you.

[WILDEBILL308]

Bumpyroad wrote:
the perfect hole filler is those dowels that are made for furniture joints, about 2 inches long, with groves down them that lets the glue ooze out. oak IIRC
bumpy

Yes just like I posted.
Bill

[Bumpyroad]

the perfect hole filler is those dowels that are made for furniture joints, about 2 inches long, with groves down them that lets the glue ooze out. oak IIRC
bumpy

[Gjac]

Over the years I have used the tooth picks, match sticks with glue, small dowels with glue as Bill described but have evolved to using small triangular pieces of wood that I cut with a knife from the corners of wood scraps. It produces a taper triangular piece that bites into the over sized hole once you hammer it flush to the surface, will not spin when a screw is torqued into it and needs no glue. For small screws I use pine for larger screws requiring more torque I use oak and drill a pilot hole first.

[WILDEBILL308]

Well if the hole is to bad for the match sticks to work. Get a wooden dowel pin from hardware store. Very carefully drill out the screw hole insert the dowel pin with epoxy or waterproof glue. Pre drill the dowel and insert the screw. Pre measure the pin so it is flush with the surface. Yes it sounds complicated but it will make a permanent repair.
Bill

[Bumpyroad]

Pop-Pop C wrote:

RoadAbode wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
If wood, a common fix (assuming just wallowed out, not rotted out)is to insert a couple of wood matches (sans head) into the hole. Be sure to put some sealer on the screw threads before threading it in.

I've also used toothpicks in the same manner. My dad taught me that!

Xx2 on the toothpick and gorilla glue. Wooden matches not too common any more.

any good exterior carpenters glue would be preferable to gorilla glue.
bumpy

[Pop-Pop_C]

RoadAbode wrote:

wolfe10 wrote:
If wood, a common fix (assuming just wallowed out, not rotted out)is to insert a couple of wood matches (sans head) into the hole. Be sure to put some sealer on the screw threads before threading it in.

I've also used toothpicks in the same manner. My dad taught me that!

Xx2 on the toothpick and gorilla glue. Wooden matches not too common any more.

[SaltiDawg]

Lots of good suggestions here... another that I've used over the years is cheap and effective:

Cheap Reliable Fix

[Dusty_R]

Another way if wood is steel wool stuffed in the hole.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Size the hole by stuffing it with Kleenex or similar. Add some drops of water thin CA glue. Let it cure before inserting the original screw.

Dowel, match sticks, or toothpicks have the wrong grain. Don't expect such a fix to hold well.

[j-d]

I was thinking of doing something with a plastic hollow wall anchor. They come in a variety of sizes and concepts. I imagine you'll be "bedding" the lights in a sealant, so much of what the screws actually do for you is position the light for you and hold it while the sealant cures. In other words, not like hanging a bathroom towel bar...

[LittleBill]

tooth picks work perfect

[Dog_Folks]

peaches&cream: It is not a head slapper for sure.

A bigger screw will work only if the housing hole of the maker light is big enough, which normally it is b not. Of course, one could drill the housing larger.

[Roger10378]

In sheet metal I use a cotter key. Slide the two legs on either side of the metal sheet with the head in the hole.

[RLS7201]

I use Elmers wood glue and tooth picks, wooden matches or golf tees, depending on the job.

Richard