My Ikea Furniture Is Missing Pilot Holes

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Did you brand the mistake of choosing the wrong drill bit and making your screw hole too big?

If and so, don't worry – there are multiple ways, some easier than others, to prepare the error and either make your pigsty smaller or fill the existing one completely to be able to make a new hole of the right size.

In this article, you will learn about eight such methods that work mainly with wood. You will also acquire what to do in case your hole is in metal or drywall.

ane. Using Matches or Toothpicks

The nigh common – albeit not professional – way to fill up screw holes when you need to make them smaller is by using matches or toothpicks as shims. This method has been used for a long time, merely should merely be used for holes that won't hold whatever bang-up weight.  Using this method is really uncomplicated.

First, make full the hole with whatsoever liquid glue that can be used on wood, such as Elmer'due south Wood Glue. Note that the glue is helpful, merely not e'er necessary.

Second, jam in several wood toothpicks or matchsticks until they snugly fill the hole. Allow the glue to set and dry completely, which will ensure the toothpicks are firmly held in place.

Third, snap or cutting off the toothpick or matchstick ends so that they are affluent with the surface.

Finally, drive your screw into the repaired pigsty.

two. Using Wooden Dowels

Another way y'all tin make a screw pigsty that is besides large usable again is with wooden dowels. Unlike the previous 1, this is the method that is nowadays used in professional settings the about. The process is similar to the previous one.

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First, drill out the hole with a drill bit that is the verbal diameter every bit or a compression smaller than the wooden dowel y'all are planning to utilize.

Second, dip the dowel into some forest glue and tap information technology into the hole. Look for the mucilage to set.

Third, cut the dowel using a saw in a way for it to exist flush with the surface of the wood and drill a pocket-size pilot into it before driving the screw. This method results in a strong fixing point that's nigh every bit adept as screwing into the workpiece itself.

3. Using Larger Anchors and Oversize Screws

Perchance the easiest way – if y'all have the necessary hardware – to go around the problem of a hole that'southward as well big for a screw is to just use the existing hole, but use wider anchors and matching screws. Depending on the specific situation, a toggle bolt might be the best choice.

In case the hole needs to be expanded a bit to conform the larger spiral or anchor, it can exist widened slightly using an accordingly sized drill bit.  If using a longer screw, brand certain information technology's not too long or information technology may pop out of the other side.

4. Using a Rawl Plug

Y'all've probably seen a rawl plug – it'southward a mostly plastic insert that is used to provide grips for spiral being driven into concrete walls amidst other materials. You lot can also apply it if you mistakenly drill too big of a hole into wood or other cloth.

Merely glaze a rawl plug with glue and tap information technology into the oversized screw hole. Afterwards the glue has dried, simply screw the plug into the hole.

five. Utilize Nylon Cablevision Ties

If you don't have a rawl plug handy but happen to have some nylon cable ties, you can use those also.

To use nylon cable ties to fix an oversized pigsty, commencement cut off the length required, and then insert it into the hole. More 1 length of cable ties might be needed, depending on how much back up is required.

Once the hole is filled enough (information technology doesn't accept to be completely filled), you tin can drive the spiral in. Y'all will see the screw cut into the nylon which will provide traction and grip. Don't use too much nylon to forbid shearing.

Three Alternative Ways to Reduce the Size of a Screw Hole

While you should find a method amid the above 5 that will work for yous – both in terms of your use case likewise as in terms of materials that you have at dwelling – if you failed to do so for some reason, below are four more alternatives:

1. Using steel wool: A method that will only work for light loads. Tightly pack steel wool into the hole using a screwdriver or a like tool. The compacted steel wool will provide the screw with a tighter grip.
2. Using a pinewood shim: For this method, you'll demand some pinewood and a sharp knife to trim it with. Trim the pinewood into a pointed shape, so coat it with wood glue and insert it into the hole. Wait for the gum to dry, and so utilize a chisel or a abrupt knife to cut the pino until flush with the wood. Finally, drill a modest pilot hole into the fixed spot to guide the screw.
3. Using a golf game tee: If you have a spare golf tee lying around, it tin can be useful in fixing a hole that's too large. First, tap the tee into the hole and mark where it needs to be cut to become flush with the edge, then remove it and cut information technology to fit. Encompass the tee with wood gum, reinsert it into the hole and wait for it to dry out. It will and then be ready to hold the screw.

How to Make a Spiral Hole in Metal Smaller

While some of the means mentioned to a higher place can be used with holes in metal, there'southward one more fashion specific for the material. Information technology's a cold weld epoxy called JB-Weld.

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Simply fill the hole with JB-Weld per the instructions on its embrace and brand an indentation in the eye with a toothpick or a similar sharp object.

Once the textile has cured, drill a new pigsty – this time one that is the correct size for your screw.

How to Make a Spiral Hole in Drywalls Smaller

When information technology comes to drywalls, if yous want to patch upward a hole and drive a screw into it, you lot need to ensure it has plenty grip and back up to not allow the spiral go loose. Using a drywall knife, fill the hole with a setting-type joint compound. Allow it cure fully, and fill any dips if required.

Once the above has been done, drill another hole into the center, insert an anchor that can distribute the load behind the drywall, and reinsert the screw.

Summary

If y'all made the error of selecting the wrong size drill bit, yous have a few options as you lot can meet above. However, in almost cases when working with wood, you will exercise just fine with either using matches or wooden dowels.

While the former uses a more commonly bachelor household particular, the latter is more professional person.

In the instance of metal, y'all will want to use JB-Weld if possible. Finally, if you are working with drywall, you will need a setting-type articulation compound.

One thing worth noting is that some of the above techniques are the same as when dealing with stripped spiral holes.

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