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Old 05-08-2012, 10:04 AM   #1
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Cabinet hinge screws are loose.

Have only used our TT 3 times to date. The screws on one of the lower cabinet doors are loose already. I guess some screw jockey at the factory rammed them in too hard. Is there an easy fix for this? I would go to HD or hardware store and buy some longer/fatter ones but to start with, they are oil rubbed bronze color which limits the selection. They are also oval head type which further limits availability, if I want to be picky and match them up 100%.

Is there a screw source out there somewhere that has an oversize screw like this? I think I want a 3/4" x #6 screw. I am guessing the the existing screws might be #5?? At the worst case, I could always go with a long screw like 1-1/4" and screw through into a small wood block behind the cab. face.

I saw some 3/4" x #6 ORB screws somewhere the other day but I had to buy 500 or so. What would an RV repair shop do?
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Old 05-08-2012, 10:12 AM   #2
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Toothpicks & glue. Youroo!!
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Old 05-08-2012, 10:20 AM   #3
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I had the same thing happen on mine too. One of the screws ripped right out. I took the door off and found that the hinges were so tight up against the door panel that they would hardly move. I just put.fatter screws in they don't match but I will try to find better ones. I found hhis on our first trip out with our new trailer.
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:04 AM   #4
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The cabinet hinges in our s&b kitchen work loose on a regular basis. There's no obvious vibration or anything causing it. I just have to go round and cinch them tight again every couple of months.
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:15 AM   #5
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If you get them before they get too loose this has worked well for me. Take the screw out, cover the threads with Gorilla glue and re-insert the screw. They will stay put but you can still take them out if you have to.
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:45 AM   #6
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Round toothpicks

I use round tooth picks. I insert the tooth pick into the hole, break off flush with cabinet surface, insert the tooth pick again until you have filled the hole with the tooth picks always breaking off flush with surface. Then you just insert the screw until snug.

A very simple fix!
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:59 AM   #7
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I would not recommend using a larger screw to fix this. What generally happens is that whoever put the doors on was trying to save time or didn't know what they were doing and did not pre-dill the hole, that causes the wood to split in the hole and the screw loosens up over time and use. A larger screw may/will split the wood further and cause a bigger issue and still be loose.
You can either, use glue and the same screw, or epoxy to fill the hole and after it hardens dill a pilot and reinsert the screw.
I have seen where individuals have split the entire board by not drilling a pilot, or by using a larger screw in an attempt to fix, at that point you have to replace the board or the entire cabinet depending on the location.
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Old 05-08-2012, 02:15 PM   #8
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Get dowel slightly larger then hole(1/8”-1/4”) drill out hole so dowel is tight fit. Put glue in hole and insert piece of dowel flush to face of cabinet. After glue dries drill pilot hole, put drop of glue on screw and screw into hole. Do not over tighten, do by hand not power driver.
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Old 05-08-2012, 02:32 PM   #9
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I use either toothpicks or wooden matchsticks with Elmers wood glue.
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Old 05-08-2012, 03:24 PM   #10
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I also have used toothpicks and glue. Works every time.
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Old 05-08-2012, 09:37 PM   #11
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Thanks very much for all the great ideas! Since I seem to gravitate towards doing the hardest way possible, I think I will go with the idea of drilling out the hole for an 1/8" dia. dowel and then drilling a pilot hole. With an 1/8" dowel, no one will be able to see it. Judging by ebay and Amazon, they seem to be a crafts store item.

Some toothpicks and glue would be a good idea too.

Hadn't thought about a potential split in the core wood. In that case, a fatter screw would just make it worse.
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Old 05-08-2012, 09:53 PM   #12
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Don't waste your time with the 1/8" dowel just us the toothpicks and glue. works every time. I use the same method at home as well as in the TT.
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Old 05-08-2012, 11:58 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by myredracer View Post

I guess some screw jockey at the factory rammed them in too hard.
no big deal
easy fix
two tubes of JB Weld Quick Set
small piece of a tooth pick into hole
put a very small dab JB into hole
very small amount JB around screw threads
do not put screw into hole very tight
good as new
can still be broken loose later if needed

not your case
but
RV's are known for screws coming loose
this fixes them once and for all
Mountainman
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Old 05-09-2012, 04:27 AM   #14
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YUUUUP, toothpicks and glue works great!!!!!!!
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Old 05-09-2012, 07:26 AM   #15
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Everyone beat me to it. Toothpicks and wood glue work every time! And it's a cheap fix.
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