How can i get this screw to stay in?

[JohnD]

it would be very useful to see photos of the inside of that drawer-front; and any doors with similar handles.

the nut will not be down the screw hole. It goes on the inside face of the wooden panel.

 

[conny]

Just put some Araldite or suchlike in the hole, put that thing in, wiggle it and then let it go off

Please don't use this method. It's an absolute bodge job and looks a complete mess. If you ever decided to change the handles you would have great difficulty getting this out.

@woody, this is a woodwork advice section. I hardly think telling someone to bung a hole full of araldite to hold a drawer handle in place is actually in the spirit of the forum topic. We all come on here to learn the correct methods or to advise on the correct/best methods. Bunging a hole full of resin doesn't actually cut the mustard does it? Be honest.

 

[Jeff543]

it would be very useful to see photos of the inside of that drawer-front; and any doors with similar handles.

the nut will not be down the screw hole. It goes on the inside face of the wooden panel.

Another handle bird's eye view;

 

[^woody^]

Please don't use this method. It's an absolute bodge job and looks a complete mess. If you ever decided to change the handles you would have great difficulty getting this out.

@woody, this is a woodwork advice section. I hardly think telling someone to bung a hole full of araldite to hold a drawer handle in place is actually in the spirit of the forum topic. We all come on here to learn the correct methods or to advise on the correct/best methods. Bunging a hole full of resin doesn't actually cut the mustard does it? Be honest.

The OP is hardly ever going to be changing the handles on that antique. And how will glue inside the hole "look a complete mess" Are you superman going around checking things with your x-ray vision?

There was talk of hunting for a specific imperial nut and potentially changings the fixings. So the OP can mess about for however long, or he can do a quick, acceptable permanent repair.

This is not a woodworking forum masterclass stuck in the 1750's traditional methods. Its about fixing stuff, and doing it simply and cheaply, you know ... like DIYers may want to do.

You do realise that building components, structural components are actually stuck together with glue nowadays. You stick with your "bodging" while the rest of the world moves forward with their building.

 

[Jeff543]

Another handle;

 

[JohnD]

show us the drawer front, from the inside, please.

 

[Jeff543]

show us the drawer front, from the inside, please.

This square-like piece of metal was loose, I tightened it up ;

 

[Jeff543]

Then I found another one loose amidst the junk of the drawer;

 

[Jeff543]

I tightened the two of them from the inside of the drawer with this, thankyou it's all sorted for now and I apologise bit I'm a total beginner;

 

[JohnD]

those are the nuts.

for best results, if there is enough spare thread, put a penny washer between the wood and the nut, and put Nutlock or Threadlock on the thread to prevent the nut coming loose.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

This square-like piece of metal was loose, I tightened it up ;View attachment 230197

At a guess, that will be an Imperial size and possible 1/4 thread. In which case an old 1/4 inch roofing bolt nut will fit and they are square, just like the one in your photo, so should not look out of place.

Alternatively, a modern 6mm roofing bolt nut, might be persuaded to go on with a bit of brute force.

 

[Jeff543]

those are the nuts.

for best results, if there is enough spare thread, put a penny washer between the wood and the nut, and put Nutlock or Threadlock on the thread to prevent the nut coming loose.

Ok thanks.

 

[conny]

those are the nuts.

for best results, if there is enough spare thread, put a penny washer between the wood and the nut, and put Nutlock or Threadlock on the thread to prevent the nut coming loose.

At a guess, that will be an Imperial size and possible 1/4 thread. In which case an old 1/4 inch roofing bolt nut will fit and they are square, just like the one in your photo, so should not look out of place.

Alternatively, a modern 6mm roofing bolt nut, might be persuaded to go on with a bit of brute force.

@woody, these are the kind of answers we should be giving people, not your 'fix it with a bodge' type of answer.
How are people supposed to learn how to do things correctly if someone keeps saying slap some resin glue on it?

And yes, I am aware a lot of modern things are held together with glue. It doesn't mean ancient practices have to be abandoned because someone can't be bothered to teach the younger generation how things were originally made.

 

[^woody^]

 

[Munroast]

push a spent match stick in the hole then wind the screw thing in alongside it. may be dip the match stick into some wood glue first