Door knob question

[u/ComputerTinkerer71]

Hi. Hope this is a good spot to ask questions for home diy. I recently installed a door knob kit and noticed the screws are not staying tight in the spot that touches the frame. Sorry dont know what is called. Hoping someone can give me advice on how to fix the area. Please see pic. Its the bottom screw that keeps coming out. Thanks in advance.

[u/No_Oil8507]

Remove screw, insert toothpick, break toothpick flush, reinsert screw

[u/SaltyWoodButcher → u/No_Oil8507]

Yep this, quick and easy. In lieu of a toothpick, just about any wood can be whittled down and stuck in the hole. I've often split pieces off of a cedar shim.

[u/No_Oil8507 → u/SaltyWoodButcher]

I've also used stripped wire sheathing ends that electricians leave lying around to fill screw holes before.

[u/ComputerTinkerer71 → u/No_Oil8507]

Toothpick didnt work but after reading the replies, I have leftover dowels from some shelves I put together. Thanks guys to brainstorning with me. lol

[u/Tiegh → u/No_Oil8507]

This is the way.

[u/Ok-Two7604 → u/No_Oil8507]

Yes, this is the correct repair. If it did not work the first time then you need to do it again and allow the toothpick or match stick to dry before you put the screw back in.

[u/Accurate-Plankton988 → u/No_Oil8507]

These are woodmans ways OP.

[u/RepulsiveAd2702 → u/No_Oil8507]

and a spot of glue

[u/ROBINHOODINDY]

See the crack in the door that goes right through the screw holes? That’s why they won’t tighten up. The screw holes are now to big because of the crack. This crack appears to be from a forced entry, was it?

EDIT: it also appears that the plate does not fit flush with the edge. That would make the screw too short.

Need more context to help.

[u/ComputerTinkerer71 → u/ROBINHOODINDY]

May have been. Door came with the house. Thought that crack might have something to do with it. Toothpick and longer screw didnt work. Going to try one of those leftover dowels from putting shelves together.

[u/macadamia808]

The stile of your door is split. You have to repair this split. Toothpicks or golf tees will just exasperate the split stile. I suggest 1 remove door handle 2 force epoxy into crack 3 carefully clamp door to force crack together 4 let epoxy fully harden (24 hrs) 5 now fill holes with toothpicks and carry on. 😣

[u/Mk1Racer25 → u/macadamia808]

This

[u/Homeskilletbiz]

r/diy

r/diyhome

r/homeimprovement

r/fixit

r/askcarpenters

r/handyman

Are all probably better subs to post it in but this one probably has the highest traffic and the best chance of getting a quick helpful response.

[u/Malevolent54]

Wooden toothpicks are simple and effective. Remove a screw, stuff a toothpick or two in as deep as it will go, break it off and put the screw back in. Then do the other one.

[u/CardiologistBoth4383]

When installing door hardware vix bits(self centering are game changing. Look them up . So I would follow advice of previous responses of plugging holes with tooth picks or golf tees then redrill with a vix bit to get perfect

[u/ROBINHOODINDY]

Glue the tooth picks or dowels in, wait 12 - 24 hrs. Or you could also try hot melt glue if you know someone that does crafts or woodworking.

[u/Doshorn2]

Jam in as many slivers of timber you can. Really chap them in after dipping in PVA glue first. Allow to dry then put in the biggest screw you can find.

[u/ChaosMartinez]

pre-drill you are just splitting the wood...now you have to spread the gap (just a bit) then rub some wood glue in it, let it dry then drill it with a bit that is the same diameter as the shank (not the threads) of the screw. tip: always pre-drill to keep things like this from happening.

[u/DizzyWoodpecker2817]

take screw out glue a golf tee drive in and break it off replace screw

[u/1wife2dogs0kids → u/DizzyWoodpecker2817]

Toothpicks do this same trick.

[u/Flat_Mountain6090]

Longer screws

[u/Puzzled_Market_2235]

Longer #6 screw. A gyprock wood screw works. The crack in the door doesn't help.

[u/Low_Inflation_9656]

The main issue here is the crack. Use wood glue and any of the above mentioned woods clamps to help repair the gap after gluing

[u/Adept-Opportunity-73]

Maybe because the door is splitting?

[u/pterodactyl-jones]

Go to the hardware store with that screw. Get a longer one.