Stripped screw hole in plastic.

GeneZ · 21st June 2011, 03:57 AM

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

wrenchone · 21st June 2011, 04:02 AM

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

GeneZ · 21st June 2011, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrenchone

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.

wrenchone · 21st June 2011, 04:23 AM

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.

Conrad Hoffman · 21st June 2011, 04:24 AM

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.

Darkstar52 · 21st June 2011, 04:41 AM

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

sofaspud · 21st June 2011, 04:48 AM

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.

stratus46 · 21st June 2011, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneZ

Thanks.. but sorry...

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

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

Cal Weldon · 28th June 2011, 09:01 PM

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.

digits · 29th June 2011, 04:02 AM

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.

21st June 2011, 03:57 AM	#1
GeneZ diyAudio Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Georgia USA	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 __________________ "It is much easier to be critical than correct." -- Benjamin Disraeli

21st June 2011, 04:24 AM	#5
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	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. __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

21st June 2011, 04:41 AM	#6
Darkstar52 diyAudio Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The Border of PA&NJ Delaware Water Gap USA	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

21st June 2011, 04:48 AM	#7
sofaspud diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Antonio	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. __________________ It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from enquiry. - Thomas Paine

28th June 2011, 09:01 PM	#9
Cal Weldon Speakerholic diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: British Columbia	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. __________________ Next stop: Margaritaville Some of Cal's stuff \| Cal Weldon Consulting


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21st June 2011, 04:02 AM	#2
wrenchone diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Silicon Valley	Put in a threaded metal insert or a T-nut, available on Ebay or at a good hardware store.

21st June 2011, 04:23 AM	#4
wrenchone diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Silicon Valley	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.

29th June 2011, 04:02 AM	#10
digits diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2011	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.

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