Hinges
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Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 22, 2022 5:59 PM
       Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 22, 2022 6:02 PM
       Hinges (by Roy [AL]) Sep 22, 2022 6:22 PM
       Hinges (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Sep 22, 2022 6:48 PM
       Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 22, 2022 6:49 PM
       Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 22, 2022 7:00 PM
       Hinges (by Roy [AL]) Sep 22, 2022 7:04 PM
       Hinges (by 6x6 [TN]) Sep 22, 2022 8:03 PM
       Hinges (by DJ [VA]) Sep 22, 2022 8:47 PM
       Hinges (by john [CA]) Sep 22, 2022 9:09 PM
       Hinges (by MikeA [TX]) Sep 22, 2022 9:14 PM
       Hinges (by LTD [AZ]) Sep 22, 2022 9:19 PM
       Hinges (by Robert J [CA]) Sep 22, 2022 10:40 PM
       Hinges (by Scott [IN]) Sep 23, 2022 9:47 AM
       Hinges (by don [PA]) Sep 23, 2022 7:35 PM
       Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 23, 2022 8:19 PM
       Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Sep 23, 2022 8:20 PM
       Hinges (by Vee [OH]) Sep 24, 2022 7:48 AM


Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 5:59 PM
Message:

There are many ways to fix door hinge holes that strip out. This is a VERY common problem that I find on most of my rentals and on many of the houses I inspected as a home inspector. Here are a few ideas in order of robustness:

1) Toothpicks - If a hinge screw keeps turning because the wood frame is stripped, try this as a quick but short-term repair. Remove the screw, stuff a couple toothpicks into the hole (they will stick out some), and then put the screw back in and tighten LIGHTLY. Break off any remaining toothpick pieces. This is a quick repair but not always effective and likely won't last forever.

2) Epoxy - Remove the screw, mix up 5-minute 2-part epoxy and put in the hole...and BEFORE IT CURES insert the screw just until barely snug...holding inward pressure on the screw for about 3-4 minutes. This is a bit more robust of a repair, but will make the screw difficult to remove in the future.

3) Dowel - This is my FAVORITE method by far, is very robust, and not that difficult. Remove the screws (all of them on that hinge leaf) and rotate the leaf so you can see the frame or door. Buy some HARDWOOD dowel at big box store...Poplar works well and is cheap. Buy a size that is slightly larger than the hole..I think 1/4" works well in most cases. Use a 1/4" brad point drill bit (Brad point bits drill a much cleaner hole) and drill to the depth of the screw plus about 1/4". Cut a piece of dowel about 1/16" to 1/8" longer than the depth of the hole. Chamfer the end of the dowel slightly so it starts in the hole easily. Coat the dowel in any wood glue (Elmers is fine), and squirt some glue in the hole. Insert the dowel and lightly tap in with a hammer. Let dry for 1-2 hours. Use a flush cut saw blade (you can use a hacksaw blade in a pinch, but it's harder to do) to cut the dowel off flush with the door frame. Sand any slightly remaining proud areas. Fold the leaf back into place and mark the center of the hole with a pencil. Fold the leaf away and drill a tiny pilot hole for the screw (there are charts that will tell you the exact size to drill...see below link. Drill a brand new hole about 1/8" deeper than the length of the screw. Apply wax (an old candle works fine) as lubricant to the screw, and install the screw into the new hole. This is a very robust repair that will last a long time. I can do 3 holes in less than 10 minutes not counting the glue drying time. I have done hundreds of repairs this way.

boltdepot.com/fastener-information/wood-screws/Wood-Screw-Pilot-Hole-Size.aspx

--99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 6:02 PM
Message:

As a side note, I keep about a dozen hardwood dowel pieces cut to various lengths in my toolbox for handyman jobs...I get requests to fix these all the time. Usually the complaint is that a door doesn't shut well, rubs the frame, and it's often because the top hinge is loose and the door is tilted slightly as a result. Fixing the top hinge will often fix the issue. --99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 6:22 PM
Message:

Instead of hardwood dowels, I have used wood golf tees and glued them in. Then use an oscillating tool to cut the excess length off. --71.207.xxx.x




Hinges (by Landlord ofthe Flies [TX]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 6:48 PM
Message:

I use fireplace matches and wood glue. Also try using much larger screw. --108.69.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 6:49 PM
Message:

Golf tees are made of cedar...very soft wood. Not recommended, but evidently it has worked for you. Also, the size of the tee is probably a loose fit in the hole...the dowels will be a tight fit. --99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 7:00 PM
Message:

Like I said, many options, but many of those such as matches will leave "air gaps" in the screw hole that compromise the integrity of the repair, and are made of a very soft wood. Can't use a much larger screw unless you drill out the hinge leaf. --99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 7:04 PM
Message:

Hoosier,

You are the expert here with door hinge holes so I will withdraw my suggestion of how I fill the hinge holes. I did not know golf tees were made of cedar but I don't play golf either.

--71.207.xxx.x




Hinges (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 8:03 PM
Message:

Thank you Hoosier --73.113.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by DJ [VA]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 8:47 PM
Message:

Great tips - thank you! --68.229.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by john [CA]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 9:09 PM
Message:

good post, excellent tips given here --76.105.x.x




Hinges (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 9:14 PM
Message:

Personally, I just go out in the yard and find a nice dry hardwood stick off of one of the trees and pull out my pocket knife and shave it down to heartwood in the shape needed. I never have dowel when I need one. --209.205.xxx.xx




Hinges (by LTD [AZ]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 9:19 PM
Message:

Roy, golf tees are good for plugging vacuum lines on your car too.

Me, I just use a bigger, longer screw. Maybe a matchstick. (For any non-landlords reading this, clip the striker head off first.) ;) --47.216.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: Sep 22, 2022 10:40 PM
Message:

I have product that are "Threaded Inserts for Wood" in assorted sizes. I remove the hinge drill out the hole so one of my inserts will fit tightly in the hole. I reinstall the hinge and use a special screw to attach the hinge to the wall insert.

This are used to put furniture together, etc. --47.156.xx.xx




Hinges (by Scott [IN]) Posted on: Sep 23, 2022 9:47 AM
Message:

I sometimes replace those tiny hinge screws with 4" screws, long enough to find the adjacent stud. This also improves security, but you have to be very careful when tightening to avoid moving the door frame. It can misalign the door. --107.141.xx.xxx




Hinges (by don [PA]) Posted on: Sep 23, 2022 7:35 PM
Message:

I am with Scott----get a long screw and grab the stud. Only exception is an exterior door in a brick house. For that, I pry the trim off and hopefully there is enough clearance to slide in a piece of 3/4" plywood scrap between the door frame and the brick. On my last install, I put the plywood backer in there from the beginning and used longer screws on the top hinge.

A harder problem is when the holes are stripped out on the door side of a hollow core door. Best move for me is to move the hinge slightly up or down so that the screws grab into fresh wood. --70.90.xx.xxx




Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 23, 2022 8:19 PM
Message:

There are three screws on most door hinges. Only the one closest to the center of the door will have a stud behind it. The other screws will miss the stud. --99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Sep 23, 2022 8:20 PM
Message:

Should say closest to the door FRAME --99.92.xxx.xxx




Hinges (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: Sep 24, 2022 7:48 AM
Message:

Relocate the hinge 4 inches up or down, you get new wood and I use 1 long screw in the frame side, doors are not so well built anymore. --76.190.xxx.xxx





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