Beyond Bending Tell You How
If you have a loose or damaged cabinet hinge, you may be wondering how to fix it. One common issue is a stripped or enlarged screw hole, which can make it difficult to keep the hinge securely in place. Fortunately, with a few simple tools and some basic DIY skills, you can easily fix a cabinet hinge hole yourself. In this guide, we’ll show you how.
Step 1: Remove the Hinge
The first step is to remove the hinge from the cabinet door or frame. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the hinge in place. Make sure to keep the screws in a safe place, as you’ll need them later.
Step 2: Fill the Hole
Next, you’ll need to fill the stripped or enlarged hole. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on the size of the hole and the materials you have on hand.
For small holes, you can use toothpicks or wooden dowels to fill the hole. Dip the toothpicks or dowels in wood glue, then insert them into the hole until they are flush with the surface of the wood. Allow the glue to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
For larger holes, you may need to use a wooden plug or filler. Cut a piece of wood to fit the size of the hole, then apply wood glue to the edges of the plug and insert it into the hole. Use a chisel or sandpaper to smooth the surface of the plug so that it is flush with the surrounding wood.
Step 3: Redrill the Hole
Once the glue has dried and the filler is in place, you’ll need to redrill the hole for the hinge screw. Use a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw, and drill into the filler or toothpicks until you reach the original wood surface.
Step 4: Reattach the Hinge
Now that the hole is filled and redrilled, you can reattach the hinge to the cabinet door or frame. Line up the hinge with the pre-existing screw holes, then insert the screws and tighten them securely with a screwdriver.
Additional Tips
If you’re having trouble keeping screws in place in your cabinet hinges, there are a few additional tips you can try:
– Use longer screws: If the screws included with your hinge are too short, they may not be able to securely anchor the hinge in place. Try using longer screws to provide a more stable anchor.
– Use a drill guide: If you’re having trouble drilling straight holes, consider using a drill guide to help keep your drill bit aligned properly.
– Use a stronger filler: If you’re concerned about the strength of your filler, consider using a two-part epoxy or a specialized wood filler designed for high-stress applications.
Conclusion
Fixing a stripped or enlarged cabinet hinge hole may seem like a daunting task, but with a little bit of know-how and some basic DIY skills, it’s a job that you can easily tackle yourself. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to get your cabinet hinges back to working order in no time.
