Can I just put super glue into the stripped hole?

Super glue hardens quickly but cures brittle and cannot bridge large cavities. When you torque a screw into brittle cyanoacrylate, it shatters under tension. PVA wood glue with wood fibers or 2-part epoxy creates a durable, machinable matrix.

When should I use a hardwood dowel instead of toothpicks?

Toothpicks packed with glue work well for light cabinet pulls, small hinges, and lightweight furniture. For heavy passage doors, bed frames, or structural joints, drill the damaged hole to a standard size and glue in a solid hardwood dowel.

Why is drilling a pilot hole necessary after filling?

A pilot hole guides the screw dead straight and relieves outward pressure, preventing the dried glue plug and surrounding grain from splitting as the tapered screw enters.

Does this repair work on particle board and MDF?

PVA glue and toothpicks work best in solid wood where the surrounding grain is sound. In porous particle board or MDF where the core has crumbled, 2-part epoxy putty is much stronger because it bonds without needing healthy natural wood grain.

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Guide

Repair a stripped screw hole in wood

Use Wood glue (PVA) with wood shims for this repair. Toothpicks or matchsticks saturated in PVA wood glue restore dense wood fibers for screw threads to bite into.

Wood

This task involves: Gap or poor fit, Load-bearing / shear

Best Glue for This Repair

Wood glue (PVA) with wood shims

Toothpicks or matchsticks saturated in PVA wood glue restore dense wood fibers for screw threads to bite into.

Not for: Load-bearing / shear

Reviewed and adjusted by an editor.

Why Wood glue (PVA) with wood shims Works Here

Porous and slightly forgiving — glue soaks in, and a well-glued joint ends up stronger than the wood around it. Oily hardwoods like teak need a solvent wipe first.
It soaks into the grain and cures stronger than the wood itself.

How to do it

Repair a stripped screw hole in wood: Step by Step

Remove the loose screw and clear out loose splinters or dust from the hole.
Coat several wooden toothpicks or matchsticks generously with PVA wood glue.
Pack the glued toothpicks firmly into the stripped hole until it is completely filled.
Trim the protruding wooden ends flush with the surface using a sharp utility knife or chisel.
Allow the glue to cure overnight, drill a small pilot hole, and drive the screw back in.

Conditions

When to Use 2-part structural epoxy Instead

For heavy-duty load-bearing joints, door hinges under severe stress, or blown-out particleboard, fill the hole with 2-part epoxy or drill out the damage to accept a glued hardwood dowel.

Alternatives

Other Adhesives That Work

2-part structural epoxy
Cures into a solid anchor plug that can be drilled and tapped when surrounding wood fibers are torn away.
Better when: Load-bearing / shear

Questions

Common Questions About This Repair

Can I just put super glue into the stripped hole?: Super glue hardens quickly but cures brittle and cannot bridge large cavities. When you torque a screw into brittle cyanoacrylate, it shatters under tension. PVA wood glue with wood fibers or 2-part epoxy creates a durable, machinable matrix.
When should I use a hardwood dowel instead of toothpicks?: Toothpicks packed with glue work well for light cabinet pulls, small hinges, and lightweight furniture. For heavy passage doors, bed frames, or structural joints, drill the damaged hole to a standard size and glue in a solid hardwood dowel.
Why is drilling a pilot hole necessary after filling?: A pilot hole guides the screw dead straight and relieves outward pressure, preventing the dried glue plug and surrounding grain from splitting as the tapered screw enters.
Does this repair work on particle board and MDF?: PVA glue and toothpicks work best in solid wood where the surrounding grain is sound. In porous particle board or MDF where the core has crumbled, 2-part epoxy putty is much stronger because it bonds without needing healthy natural wood grain.