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If a screw turns without gripping in a wood hole, fill the hole with cyanoacrylate (CA) glue, let the glue cure, then reinstall the screw. This quick fix comes from Erv Roberts, Windsor Heights, Iowa, as published by WOOD Magazine. It is a wood repair—not a fix for stripped metal threads or a stripped screw head.
Quick fix: use CA glue on a stripped wood hole
- Remove the screw from the hole.
- Fill the stripped hole with CA glue, following the adhesive label for safe handling and application.
- Let the glue cure before putting the screw back. Roberts’s tip says “a few minutes,” but the adhesive maker’s directions should govern for the product you have.
- Reinstall the screw and check that it grips. The source does not give a rated holding strength or guarantee for this repair.
WOOD Magazine published Roberts’s advice in its article updated March 21, 2024. Treat it as a quick, wood-specific tip rather than a universal repair specification.
Choose a repair that fits the damage
| Method | When it fits | What to do | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA glue | A quick repair for a stripped hole in wood | Fill the hole, allow the adhesive to cure, then reinstall the screw. | Follow the glue maker’s directions; the source does not establish a universal strength rating. |
| Toothpicks and wood glue | A small wood hole where you need to rebuild material around the screw | Coat wooden toothpicks with wood glue, insert them into the hole, trim them flush, let the glue dry, and reinstall the screw. | iFixit estimates 30–35 minutes for its guide, but drying time varies by glue product. See iFixit’s toothpick repair guide. |
| Dowel and wood glue | A more substantial wood-hole repair, such as a mounting hole | Plug the damaged hole with a suitably sized dowel and wood glue; after the glue has cured, sand and redrill as appropriate for the screw. | An iFixit closet-catch example specifies a 3/8-inch fluted dowel; that size is for that repair, not a universal recommendation. Let the glue cure fully as its manufacturer directs. See the closet-door catch example and WOOD Magazine’s dowel-plug discussion. |
Know whether the screw hole or screw head is stripped
A stripped screw hole is in the material: the screw turns but no longer holds. A stripped screw head is different—the driver cannot engage the recess well enough to turn the screw. Filling the hole will not fix a damaged head; the WOOD Magazine screw-removal guide covers removing damaged screws.
Do not use the wood fix on metal threads
CA glue and toothpicks are wood-hole approaches. For a stripped or cross-threaded aluminum hole, iFixit describes a tap-based repair path in its aluminum repair guide. Metal repairs depend on the material and thread, so use instructions specific to the part rather than applying the wood method.
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Quick Recap
Bestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 5
Best Value
Bokon 30 Pcs Wood Anchor, Stripped Screw Hole Repair Kit,Multicolor
- 30-Piece Repair Set: Includes 30 stripped screw repair pieces with a top threaded design for tighter anchor grip on loose hinges, cabinet doors, drawers, shelves, and furniture, with extras ready for future DIY fixes to reduce repeat purchases
- Easy DIY Installation: Insert the ABS door screw hole plugs into the stripped wood hole, snap off excess, and reinstall the screw; if a screw does not catch at first, gently tap it with a tool so it reaches the deeper hole, then tighten the screw again
- Durable ABS Material: Tough, flexible ABS resists cracking during installation and helps this door hinge screw hole repair kit hold its shape, filling damaged wood holes to solve spinning screws and give hinges, cabinets, and furniture a tighter hold
- 9-Section Adjustable Fit: Designed with 9 breakaway sections, this wood hole filler insert adjusts to fit #2 to #16 screws, helping reduce size-matching guesswork for cabinet hinges, door hinges, drawer slides, shelves, and furniture repairs
- Wide Repair Use: Made for stripped screw holes in wood doors, cabinet hinges, drawer slides, shelves, chairs, desks, wardrobes, and furniture, helping stop spinning screws so you can screw it again into place and avoid replacing the whole board or door
Rank #4
30 Pack 6×14mm Short Expansion Screw Set for Cabinet Hinge Repair and Stripped Thread Restoration,Door Hinge Thread Repair Screws,Wall Anchors Screws Fit 6mm Holes for Tile Stone Wood Door
- 【Wide Compatibility】This door hinge screw hole repair kit fits ceramic tile, stone, wood, concrete, hollow walls, drywall and gypsum boards; ideal for cabinet hinges, closet/wardrobe doors, kitchen cabinets/cupboards, bathroom fixtures and wooden furniture hardware.
- 【Secure Hinge Repair】zzem screws for door hinge repair help restore worn, loose or stripped screw holes, reducing sagging, wobbling or falling hinges while keeping cabinet and furniture doors firmly fastened for daily use.
- 【Expansion Locking Hold】Each hinge repair screw & expansion anchor expands tightly inside the drilled hole to rebuild grip strength, deliver stable locking force and help prevent repaired hinge screws from loosening again.
- 【Durable Anti-Rust Build】Made from high-strength, corrosion-resistant material, these short expansion anchors and repair screws provide firm holding power for kitchens, bathrooms and other high-use areas exposed to frequent opening and closing.
- 【Easy 4-Step Installation】Drill a 6mm hole at least 15mm deep, insert the expansion anchor, tighten the hinge repair screw to expand it, then complete a secure cabinet door fastening repair in seconds without professional tools.
Rank #3
Bokon 30Pcs Stripped Screw Hole Repair Kit, #2-#16 White Wood Screw Anchors
- 30-Piece Repair Set: Includes 30 stripped screw hole repair pieces with top threads for a tighter anchor grip on hinges, cabinet doors, drawers, shelves, and furniture, plus extras for future DIY fixes to help reduce repeat purchases
- Easy DIY Installation: Push the ABS door screw hole plug into the stripped wood hole, snap off the excess, and drive the screw back in; No special tools, drilling, glue, or drying time needed for a quicker, cleaner home repair
- Durable ABS Material: Tough, flexible ABS helps this door hinge screw hole repair kit resist cracking, hold its shape, fill damaged wood holes, and restore a tighter grip for loose screws in hinges, cabinets, and furniture
- 9-Section Adjustable Fit: The 9 breakaway sections let this wood hole filler insert adjust to #2 to #16 screws, making it easier to match different stripped holes in cabinet hinges, door hinges, drawer slides, shelves, and furniture
- Wide Repair Applications: repairs stripped screw holes in wood doors, cabinet hinges, drawer slides, shelves, chairs, tables, wardrobes and furniture; Restores screw grip in wood, MDF, plywood, particleboard, concrete, brick and tile; Not for drywall
Rank #2
Screw It Again EMW5953260, 10 Count
- United States
- Application: Fixing stripped screw holes in all types of wood.
- Packaging Type: Clamshell
- Screw Included: No
- Capacity: 135 lb. Product Type: Wood Anchor
#1 Best Overall
smseace 150Pcs 4-Sizes Wood Plugs 3/16" 5/16"，3/8"，1/2" Wooden Hole Plugs
- Multiple Sizes Available: With 4 size options - 3/16 inch, 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch, these wood plugs provide versatility and convenience for various hole diameters and depths, offering a snug and seamless fit every time
- Premium Wood Material: Crafted from Schima material, our wood plugs are stury and reliable, ensuring long-lasting use for covering up unsightly holes left by screws or carpenter bees
- Easy to Install: Simply select the appropriate size plug based on the hole diameter and thickness, then insert it securely in place to hide, cover, or decorate the hole without disrupting the overall aesthetic of your furniture or woodwork
- Versatile Use: Suitable for wooden furniture, table and chair legs, cabinet pilot holes, outdoor equipment, and more, these wood plugs are designed to blend in seamlessly with different wood surfaces, enhancing both functionality and appearance
- Please confirm the size before ordering, and we will ensure your satisfaction with our wood plugs
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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