Q:
I’ve occasionally misdrilled the hole for a hinge screw so that it’s just a bit out of alignment. What’s the best way to fix the mistake?
Quinn Larson, Greenfield, MA
A:
A misaligned hole won’t let the screw set properly in the hinge. It’s a common problem, but it’s easy to fix by plugging the hole and trying again. This works great for hinge screw holes with stripped threads, too. The first step is to make the plug. You don’t want to use a length of dowel. That would result in an end-grain plug, which doesn’t offer a lot of holding power for screws. Instead, use a 1⁄4-in. plug cutter on the drill press to make a long-grain plug as long as the screw hole is deep. While you’re at it, make a bunch—this probably won’t be the last time you’ll need one (I’ve made the repair more than once).
Next, enlarge the existing screw hole using a 1⁄4-in.-dia. twist bit. The bit’s pointed tip helps center it in the hole. Now glue in the plug and drill the hole in the right spot. Use a self-centering drill bit, commonly called a Vix bit. These bits have a spring-loaded sleeve with a tapered end that fits into the countersunk screw hole in the hinge, allowing you to drill a perfectly centered hole.
Comments
I use bamboo, toothpicks, skewers, and chopsticks. Bamboo is incredibly fibrous and tough, even though you are drilling and screwing into end grain it will easily hold a screw better than most wood.
Use a thickness larger than the screw hole, drill your hole to the size of the toothpick, skewer or chopstick and glue in place.
Toothpicks come in a variety of thickness, so you may need to buy a couple boxes, just make sure they are bamboo, a dollar or two per box.
A pair of plastic calipers will quickly measure the filler, so you pick the right size drill bit. They can vary in thickness.
Vix bits also makes a centering punch, that works like the bits with an outer chamfered sleeve that centers the punch in a hinge hole.
It is great for very small screws where you just want to mark the hole, but need it centered. The hole can then be drilled or punched with a sharp awl.
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