Choose a replacement screw that’s at least 1⁄4 in (0. 64 cm) longer. If you go much longer than that, use a drill to create a deeper pilot hole into the screw hole so you don’t split the wood. Obviously this easy method won’t work if you don’t have a thick enough piece of wood to accept a longer screw. But don’t worry—you have many other options to try!
Test out various diameters of replacement screws until you find one that “bites” snugly into the surrounding wood when you twist it into place.
If the existing hole has been completely stripped out by the screw, the anchor may fit in place with no adjustment needed.
Some people like to add a bit of wood glue to the hole to help hold the anchor in place even more firmly. However, if you’ve picked the right size of anchor and drilled out the hole to the proper diameter, this shouldn’t be necessary.
Matchsticks (with the heads removed) Chopsticks Bamboo skewers Thin wooden dowels Thin slivers of scrap wood
The toothpicks get compressed between the hole and the screw, wedging and locking the screw into place.
The combination of the wood glue and the expansion of the dowel’s diameter caused by the screw will keep both the dowel and screw in place for a very long time.
For example, if you’re installing a 1⁄4 in (6. 4 mm) diameter screw, drill out the hole with a 1⁄2 in (13 mm) bit. This method is ideal if you need to re-secure a bolt into wood after the prior threads have been stripped out, but auto body filler also works well with wood screws.
Auto body filler typically comes in a pack with a pair of squeeze tubes. Don’t mix the filler and hardener together until the moment you’re ready to use them.
Use the filler immediately after you mix it—it dries really fast!
