Any Tricks for stripped sheetmetal screw holes?

Anyone have any tricks for trim screw holes in sheetmetal that have been oversized or stripped over the years? I've done the #10 screw with the #8 head deal. Any other tricks that last? (not the stick a toothpick in and lightly tighten deal). I've also used U nuts at the edges but not possible or practical in the middle of a panel. Any ideas or tricks?

 

Paper clips will work in a pinch!

 

teflon plumbers tape on the threads

 

Thanks, but looking for a slightly more secure fix...... (Mac)

 

Fill it in with some weld.

 

Jb weld them holes or use bigger screws.......Dryer sheets will not work in this application or chrome easter eggs. Dont think Im weird Ive been hanging here for hours and seen alot of weird posts.....Yours is not one of them.....Id jb weld them in ,,,and let dry .I also have used my self ,Pl construction adhesive,This stuff is real messy and wont wash off ,Even with laquer thinner .....

 

I use a thin cotter pin. Cut off long end even with short end. Bend ends over (about 1/4 inch). Open up a little bit so ends have pressure at the sides of the hole. Insert in hole, put in sheetmetal screw. Works great.

 

maybe nutserts would work

http://www.nfauto.co.uk/nutsert.htm

 

Funny chit! There was no payoff on the easter egg deal either.... at least not yet... waiting for pics

 

Bondo! (running for cover! )

 

You can tighten up those holes with a hammer and dolly.

 

Plastic wall ancors for drywall.....

 

He is correct! Have a dolly behind the hole tap, the hole with the round part of a ball peen (sp?) hammer the metal expands and makes the hole smaller

 

These are good tricks. Subscribed.

 

how about putting zeus fastners in place then you can remove it to axcess...jeffrey

 

I work on a lot of older Corvettes. I use solid copper wire to take up the gap in stripped holes in the fiberglass. The copper is soft enough for the threads of a screw to cut into and take hold. I cut a strip of bare copper wire about 3/4 inch long and bend the wire so it will stay in place in the hole. I have not tried it in sheetmetal but it might just work. Give it a try.

 

ding ding ding!
move the metal around the edges of the hole, and it'll make the diameter of the hole smaller.

-Brad

 

Rivnuts work really well and will give you a permanent fix. They are available in lots of machine screw sizes. You just drill the oversized holes out to the specified size for the desired machine screw insert, install and compress the insert, remove the compression tool, and put the screws in. The inserts/rivnuts, are available in aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. This whole deal is as easy as putting in pop rivets.

 

i've used red thread locker with good results...

 

Hammer dolly good smack, done.........

 

As said above, I too shrink them with a hammer & dolly.

 

duct tape... No just kidding.. Rat rod... no just kidding again...hammer dolly is it... just did that myself..