Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

[pontooner]

I have recently purhased a used pontoon boat and have a couple a screws stripped out on the back deck lid. They hold the handrail down. This is a hinged deck lid over the gas tank and battery. The wood is in good shape other than the stripped holes. I was wondering if I could fill the holes with some kind of wood filler (If you think this will work, what product should I purchase) let it dry and then redrill it an put the screws back.

I appreciate any insight into this.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Epoxy resin with chopped fiberglass strands will fill it up nicely.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Why not thru-bolt the railings? It will be much stronger,

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

i agree all rails on a pontoon should be thru bolted.

 

[pontooner]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Why not thru-bolt the railings? It will be much stronger,

It would raise the rail slightly, but worse than that it would have the bolt head touching metal. Wouldn't that cause a loy of vibration noise?

 

[burroak]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

This is not necessarily the solution to securing a railing to a plywood deck, but if you want to fill the hole and reuse it, Menard's, etc sell little hardwood cones that can be Gorilla glued and driven into the gouged out hole. Sand or saw off the part left standing proud of the plywood deck and you are back in business. If you can't find the pegs, use golf tees.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

home depot carries a fastener that. has a threaded part and a round disc with teeth that you drive into the plywood, then bolt from the top, so nothing is below the surface of the plywood. wish i could remember what they are called.

 

[Coors]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Instead of using a screw, buy machine screws to through bolt- nothing will be raised.

 

[Coors]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Sorry, machine screws; Ace Hardware has them in ss.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

They're called t-nuts. I think they're usually steel, but you may luck out and find some aluminum ones.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Hey! Here's some in stainless:

http://www.boltdepot.com/t-nuts.aspx

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

thanks i saved the link. if you look in phone book under bolts & fasteners you should find them.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

stainless steel available here up to 5/16" http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/show_product.do?pid=1746&familyName=S/S+Tee+Nuts

 

[pontooner]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

The Tee nuts sound like a perfect fit. I appreciate the help

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Screw holes stripped out in 3/4 in plywood

Pontooner, Tee-nuts are effective, as are washers and lock nuts. You may want to use a flat head machine screw, which will recess into the railing, like the wood screw. After you install the machine screw into either the tee nut or washer and bolt, you can hacksaw off the excess length. All hardware comes in either SS or chrome-plated brass as your budget allows. Both are strong enough.