Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Fix the hole quickly with toothpicks
• Method 2 of 3: Using a plastic wall plug
• Method 3 of 3: Fill large gaps with car filler
• Necessities
• Quickly repair the hole with toothpicks
• Using a plastic wall plug
• Fill large gaps with car filler

If a screw hole is gone, the screw is worthless and it can even be dangerous to hang something on the screw. Fortunately, there are ways to fix a crazy screw hole with the right tools. If you are short on time and money, you can quickly repair the hole with toothpicks or a wall plug. If the hole is larger, such as in the case of a collar screw or bolt, you may need to use car filler so that the screw has material to tighten.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Fix the hole quickly with toothpicks

1. Insert as many toothpicks as possible into the crazy screw hole. Get regular wooden toothpicks from the supermarket or drug store. Usually you can put two or three toothpicks in the hole.
   • The toothpicks should fit snugly in the hole.
2. Squeeze two or three blobs of wood glue onto the ends of the toothpicks. After applying the glue, spread the blobs with your finger or a cotton swab so that the toothpicks are completely covered with glue. You can buy wood glue at a hardware store and online.
3. Insert the toothpicks into the hole and break off the protruding pieces. Insert the toothpicks into the hole and lightly tap the ends with a hammer to push the toothpicks as deep into the hole as possible. Then break the protruding pieces off the toothpicks with your fingers or a hammer.
   • The toothpicks should now be right up to the edge of the screw hole.
4. Let the glue dry for at least an hour. The glue will keep the toothpicks from sticking to the inside of the damaged screw hole. The wooden toothpicks provide the resistance the screw thread needs to stay firmly in the hole.
   • Read the instructions on the wood glue packaging to determine the drying time for the brand of glue you purchased.
5. Turn the screw back into the hole. Turn the screw clockwise into the screw hole using a screwdriver or power drill. Continue to tighten the screw until the head of the screw is no longer protruding from the hole. The new toothpicks should fill in the gaps in the screw hole and keep the screw attached to something.

Method 2 of 3: Using a plastic wall plug

1. Buy plastic wall plugs from a hardware store or online. Buy wall plugs the same size as the screw in question. If you are unsure, use a tape measure or ruler to measure the length of the screw before purchasing wall plugs.
   • If you buy wall plugs from a hardware store, you can take the screw with you and ask an employee about the correct plug size.
2. If necessary, drill a new hole large enough for a plug. If the plugs are too big for the hole, you will need to drill a new hole so that you can put a plug in. The new hole should be one to two inches longer than the length of the plugs. Hold the drill to the damaged screw hole and press the button while applying pressure with the drill to drill a new hole.
   • If the wall plug fits into the existing hole, it is not necessary to drill a new hole.
   • Hold a dowel next to the tip of the drill and mark the length with a piece of tape so you know how deep to drill.
3. Insert the plug into the hole. If you don't get the plug into the hole easily, tap the end of the plug with a hammer until it stops sticking out of the hole. The plug should fit snugly in the hole and stay in it.
4. Turn the screw into the plastic wall plug. Push the tip of the screw into the plug and use a screwdriver or drill to screw the screw back into the hole. The screw is now tightened into the screw thread in the plug.

Method 3 of 3: Fill large gaps with car filler

1. Drill a new hole in the crazy screw hole. Use a drill one size larger than the screw. The hole should be larger than the screw so that the car filler can fill the hole and the screw will stick to something when you screw it back in.
   • If it is a 1/2 inch screw, drill a hole with a 1/2 inch drill bit.
   • Car filler is best used with larger holes such as holes for bolts and collar screws.
2. Mix the car filler according to the directions on the package. You can buy car filler on the internet or at a car parts store. First read the instructions on the packaging of the filler. Then mix the ingredients with a putty knife on a piece of cardboard to activate the substances in the putty.
   • Car fillers usually consist of two components that harden when you mix them.
3. Fill the hole with the filler. Take some putty with the putty knife and spread it into the hole. Fill the hole completely with filler before smoothing out the filler sticking out of the hole with your putty knife.
   • You may have to use filler several times to fill the hole completely.
4. Spray lubricant on the end of the screw. The lubricant ensures that you can easily remove the screw from the hole when the car filler is hard. Spray the threads of the screw completely with an aerosol lubricant like WD-40.
5. Insert the screw into the wet filler. Do not let the car filler dry, or it will be impossible to screw in the screw. Hold the screw in the center of the new hole and gently push the end. The screw will leave an impression of the screw thread in the filler while the agent dries.
   • If the filler is pushed out of the hole on the sides of the screw, push it back into the holes around the screw with your filler knife.
6. Let the filler dry for five minutes and then remove the screw from the hole. After five minutes, turn the screw or bolt counterclockwise to remove it from the filler. You should see when you look into the hole that there is an imprint of the screw thread in the filler.
   • Do not let the filler cure completely or you will not be able to take the screw out.
7. Let the car filler dry overnight. The filler hardens overnight and the thread impression of the screw or bolt becomes firm. This will allow you to screw the screw firmly into the new hole you made.

Necessities

Quickly repair the hole with toothpicks

• Toothpicks
• Wood line
• Hammer

Using a plastic wall plug

• Wall plugs
• Hammer
• Drill (optional)
• Drill (optional)

Fill large gaps with car filler

• Power drill
• Drill
• Car filler
• Putty knife
• Lubricant in aerosol