Stripped screw hole in plastic.
 

Suggestions, or know-how, please.

I have a stripped hole in a plastic composite speaker cabinet. When working with plastic how to tighten up the hole?


Thanks, Gene

Put in a threaded metal insert or a T-nut, available on Ebay or at a good hardware store.

Thanks.. but sorry...

This is for a self tapping type screw. Pointed tip. Metal into plastic.

Well, it sounds like you're going to have to adapt the hole to some other type screw, if it's stripped out. Self-tapping screws are a dodgy prospect at best, especially with soft materials.

Inject it full of epoxy. Cure. Drill a new pilot hole and run the self-tapping screw in. Many people drill pilot holes too small in hopes of getting a better fit. Usually a mistake as the plastic just cracks.

Plastic Welding
 

You could weld it. It's quick and easy, but the tool is a bit pricey for a one off job. Every auto body shop has them. What could they charge for a five min. job ? Best of luck
Howie

First thing I'd try is a piece of flat toothpick stuck into the stripped hole. Ease the old screw in; you'll only have a bigger problem if you let the plastic crack.

His T-nut or threaded insert idea is a good one. Of course you'd have to abandon the self tapping screw for a machine screw. Alternatively you could fill the hole with Devcon plastic welder and re-drill it the next day and continue to use the self tapper and possibly strip it out again, The machine screw IS better.

G²

What's wrong with Conrad's idea in post 5? sounds pretty achievable and easy on the execution side to me.

Just remember to put a piece of tape on the inside to prevent it from dripping out the hole.

My dad used to fill any plastic holes with a mixture of superglue and bicarb of soda (I think that was the second part, should be easy to look up), it is so strong you can attach a watch strap with it when the pin hole breakes off....and it doesn't eat the plastic like the glue would do on its own.