Soft plastic box and lid + steel screws = stripped hole

[Kira]

We've all seen 'em, we all mock how strip 'em.

They're found on some CAF housings and some engine air filters too.

Is there anything mechanics put in the hole to restore some bite?

 

[KevinMalone]

I've seen repairs made with press-fit threaded inserts:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-inserts/threaded-inserts-2~/

 

[DukeOfFrontenac]

For plastic I've used the tail end of a zip tie. Shove it in the screw hole as far as it will go, drive in the screw, cut off the excess zip tie. Sometimes you need to adjust the qty/size of zip ties according to how bad/big the hole is.

 

[fsdork]

I've seen repairs made with press-fit threaded inserts:

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/press-inserts/threaded-inserts-2~/

A twist on this suggestion would be heat-set knurled inserts. Something about melting the insert into the plastic makes me feel more warm and fuzzy.

 

[Astro14]

I use Plastex and rebuild the hole.


https://www.plastex.net/

 

[jhellwig]

Copper wire.

 

[Dave9]

Depending on the size of the hole and fastener, drywall anchors might work, or just substitute a little larger diameter fastener?

 

[someonesomewhere]

For plastic I've used the tail end of a zip tie. Shove it in the screw hole as far as it will go, drive in the screw, cut off the excess zip tie. Sometimes you need to adjust the qty/size of zip ties according to how bad/big the hole is.

Nice. It's the plastic-equivalent of using wooden matchsticks to fix a stripped door hinge screw hole. Cheers!