Not sure which post to post in, so putting it here in general.
I have pine cupboards, three years old. Having a problem with lower cupboards. In each corner, there are the two small doors at right angles that swing open in a two-part action. –I hope you guys know what I’m talking about.
Anyhow, cause it’s pine, the fittings on the section of the door that is hinged to the cupboard, keeps coming loose. I’ve used toothpicks to fill in the hole, and re-screwed the screws. i’ve yelled at my kids and told them to quit using the door to pull themselves up. Right now there is only the one-half of the door on, I’ve removed the swing section to prevent further damage.
My husband wants to apply a thin strip of harder wood to the inside of the door, and re-insert the screws. I think that you can’t make the doors two different thicknesses, as it won’t close properly.
I want to take the door back to the company that built them, (it’s a local guy) have them rout out a section where the screws are, and fit in a piece of hardwood, then re-insert the screws.
What do you think of the two schemes.
How do you prevent this problem?? (Beyond leaving door closed and keeping kids out of kitchen).
Replies
Inlaying a piece of hardwood certainly is one solution. Whenever driving screws in soft wood, I carefully run the screws in, take them out and put a drop of thin CA glue in the hole and let it set up. That hardens the wood around the threads and even penetrates some to toughen the material up. I have had very good luck with this and so far, have not had screws come loose.
Tom Hintz
Because there is always more to learn!
Martagon, there are a few possible solutions but your husbands idea isn't one of them. Often, where the door folds, a piano hinge is used. It runs full length and is quite strong. The hinges where the door attaches to the cabinet are all different types. It's possible that a hinge change would help. Maybe a larger, stronger wrap style would cover the existing holes. It depends on what is there now and how much damage has been done to the door and, perhaps, the cabinet frame. It may only require drilling out where the holes are gone and gluing in a hardwood plug.
I think it would be a good idea to call your cabinetmaker. He will be able to assess the problem and he will have a solution based on the conditions. Those doors aren't the most convenient and they can get banged around. Obviously, doors aren't meant to be ladders. Sounds like your kitchen needs a stool for the shorter folks. Bad habits are hard to stop.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I like the idea of the piano hinge -- that would spread out the tork on the door, and maybe spread out the damage. It should be able to accommodate the hinge; there may not be the movement in the door, but that could be a good thing..
I also like the idea of putting a drop of glue into the screw hole. These sugggestions make so much sense, I have to wonder why it isn't being done a a matter of course.
The kids aren't using them to climb -- the cupboards are the lowers. So when someone bends down to get something out, they just naturally grab the door to pull themselves up. I even caught my husband reaching for the door to straighten up the other night when I showed him the problem!! I think that I've yelled enough that the they shouldn't be grabbing the door anymore.
Think I'll pop back down to the cabinet maker next week.
Thanks guys.
Martagon,
As an old metal worker, let me offer one more suggestion.
Drill through holes in the wood and use machine screws with fender washers on the inside. The heads of the screws can be sized and typed to match the current wood screws so that from the outside you cannot tell the difference.
Spreading the load through the entire board will definitely stiffen up the hinge. Of course, you have moved the weak link to the other side of the hinge, but the same solution will work there as well.
You should be able to maintain the look you want with the structural integrity you need this way.
Mike
You did not say what type hinges have been used but ,,, several more possible options are as follows : drill out and place a hardwood dowel larger than needed to fill the worn screw holes or , simple place a few more hinges on that side .
Contacting the cabinetmaker if possible is probably the smartest option of all .
good luck dusty
You could insert short pieces of hardwood dowel in the screw holes. I've done this quite a bit in cabinets, door hinges, etc and it usually works very well.
I bore the old screw holes out to 1/4" or 3/8" diameter and at least as deep as the length of the screw. I glue in a piece of hardwood dowel, and cut it flush when it's dry.
When I rehang the door, I use a Vix bit to drill pilot holes centered in the dowel, then I run in the screws. This usually does the trick, but I have occasionally had to use two overlapping dowels if the old screw holes were really a mess.
I've also done this while assembling brand new furniture made from laminated particle board or soft woods such as pine. If you suspect that it will take hard use, reinforcing the screw holes during assembly will probably save you some grief later. - lol
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