Hardwood 'n Screws

[chas]

Hardwood \'n Screws

I am resealing a hatch in the deckhead of the saloon. It is screwed down, through the deck, into a hardwood frame. As it has been resealed in the past, some of the screws have lost their grip into the hardwood frame. I do not want to disturb or replace the frame (which, apart from a few enlarged screw holes, is in good nick), as it is an integral part of the headlining and I know if I try to replace it, I will end up with a disaster. Is there anything that I can put down the screw hole (not a rawlplug!) which will restore the screw grip? I have obviously got to put quite a lot of pressure on the screws to seal the hatch. I would be very grateful for any recommendations.

 

[beluga]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

Hi you can make a soft wood tapered plug and tap it into the screw hole with a bit of wood glue or puv glue if you have it. Leave glue to dry, clean up with a sharp chiesel, drill a small pilot hole in the exact place needed and screw in your screw -will hold like new.

 

[ctelfer38]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

Option 1. Make up a mix of epoxy and hardwood sawdust. Inject that into your oversize screwholes (steal an icing bag/nozzle from the kitchen!) The right mix will give you a new bed to drill to the right dimensions for your new screws. Option 2. Change the engineering plan completely and drill holes completely through the hardwood frame and use fine dimension threaded dome headed bolts which can take nuts and load bearing washers below decks. You will get a firmer and better seal topsides with the latter approach

 

[oldsaltoz]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

G'day Chas,

Screwing into timber through hatch surrounds (or almost anything else) is an invitation for water entry; have you considered drilling a 6mm over sized hole and filling with epoxy resin mixed with micro-fibres or CSM cut into very short strands.

Then re-drill to the required size and sleep in peace.

Avagoodnewyear......

 

[clyst]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

With the grain running the wrong way the holding will be very poor . Drill through and replace screws with bolts . Proper job done .

 

[Blue5]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

Drill out the screw hole to 6mm dia and insert 6mm beech dowel (screwfix or B+Q ) with cascamite or polyurethane, use a depth gauge on the drill bit and precut dowels to exact length and no cleaning up neccesary.

 

[alienzdive]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

Why not?? Rawlplugs are fine. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[chas]

Re: Hardwood \'n Screws

Thanks all for the helpful suggestions. I cannot use bolts as they will appear through the headlining. i will give the other solutions a go.