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Unfortunately sometimes the metal hinge bracket will not support the thicker screw, and in other cases the depth of the wood (e.g. a Kitchen Cabinet door) will not support the longer screw.

When either of these situations arises I then have to go to what I call “Plan B”, the use of a dowel, to fix the stripped screw hole.

Fixing a Stripped Screw Hole Using a Dowel

Plan B starts with the use of a small section of a 3/8” or ½” thick dowel and the removal of the hinge from the door or jamb with the stripped screw hole.

After removing the screws from the affected hinge side, I swing the hinge away from the stripped out screw hole so that the stripped screw hole is visible.

Next, using a ½” or 3/8” drill bit, I drill out the stripped screw hole to a depth equal to that of the original screw depth that penetrated the wood. Then, with carpenters glue applied to the small section of dowel, I slide the dowel into the hole I just drilled. I then let the dowel and glue set up for 24 hours.

Once the dowel has firmly setup, I chisel and sand it flush with the jamb, position the hinge back over the jamb and make a small pilot-hole mark into the dowel center.

Again, I slide the door hinge out of the way and then drill a small pilot hole into the dowel, where I made the small pilot-hole mark.

After the pilot-hole has been drilled I refasten the hinge using the original screws.

Within a few of hours the material is solid, and can then be cut, sanded, drilled, nailed and painted. To learn more about this type of product see Screw Repair Kit.