How to Repair loose door hinges

Over time and continual use, cabinet door hinges may become loose. It could be that you just need to tighten a screw. If the screw will not tighten, the hole is stripped, It's now too large and needs to be plugged and redrilled. To remove and tighten screws, a drill or power screwdriver can be used with screwdriver bits. You can also use a reliable flat head or phillips head screwdriver depending on the type of screws.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver or screwdriver bits
• Drill
• Dowel
• Hacksaw
• Wood glue
• Hammer
• Rag
• Wood chisel

1. Using screwdriver or drill with screwdriver bits, remove cabinet door from the hinges, then remove the hinge that is loose from the cabinet frame. Do not discard the screws, these should be reused, so that all the screws match.

2. Cut a piece of dowel to the length of the screw with a hacksaw . Add wood glue to the tip and sides of the dowel and tap it into the hole with a hammer. Wipe off any excess glue with a rag, and trim the plug flush with a wood chisel.

3. Allow the glue to dry. Use the hinge leaf as a guide and drill new pilot holes for the screws. Replace hinges with old screws to cabinet frame. Remount cabinet door.

4. Close cabinet door and check to see that it is properly aligned with the cabinet. If it looks uneven, slightly loosen the screws, shift door, and then retighten the screws.

[jbrown13]

on 11/5/2009 try www.hingedummy.info, great for all hinge info and installations