what is good way to fix a loose hinge?

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Put glue on wooden matchsticks or other pieces of wood small enough to go in the screw hole. Stuff the glued wood into the holes and trim with a knife. Your screws will hold in this. Putty will just make a mess....Show more

There are two good ways:

1. If the screws in your existing hinge are a nominal sizee #6 or #8 screw, the simplest way is to order some "reduced head" screws. A reduced head screw is a screw that has a head one nominal size SMALLER than you'd normally expect to find on a screw. So, a reduced head #10 screw would have the same size head you'd typically find on a #8 screw. So, if the screws in your hinge are flat head #6 screws, you can order reduced flat head #8 screws which will have the same head size as the old #6 screws to fit your existing hinges.

Here, take a look at Spaenaur's web site at:

www.spaenaur.com
click on "products" in the grey link band near the top
click on Section "B", for bolts, screws and external threads
click on "Machine Screws, inch & metric"
keep hitting "Next" at the top of the page until you get to page B8. On that page you'll notice that the 10-24 flat head screws in lengths 5/8 and 1 inch also have "*MS-259" and "*MS-261" listed as available. If you look at the bottom of the page, the * means that these screws come with a #8 head. Consequently, if you order some MS-261 screws from Spaenaur, you'll get 1 inch long #10 flat head screws with heads on them the same size as a #8 screw. These are called "reduced head screws".

2. Go to any place that sells "low root" screws, or screws specifically made for screwing into particle board. These screws will have much deeper threads cut into them. Lee Valley sells low root screws specifically made for cabinet hinges.

a) take the door and hinges off
b) mix up some epoxy glue (I use LePage's epoxy in the #11 card) and use a toothpick or something to pack the epoxy into the old screw holes.
c) stick a toothpick into the screw hole and remove enough epoxy glue to accomodate the low root screw
d) cover the screw holes with Scotch tape to prevent the epoxy from sticking to the hinge
e) position the hinges over the epoxy filled holes and drive the low root screws into the liquid epoxy. Don't try to tighten them, they won't tighten if the hole is stripped.
f) allow the epoxy to set up for at least 24 hours (and I leave it for 2 days).
g) cut the excess Scotch tape off with a snap blade razor knife

You can now both loosen and tighten the screws just like they were into an undamaged screw hole. So, you can take the hinges off the door to mount them on the cabinet, and then mount the door on the hinges. Start the screws by hand to ensure the screw doesn't cut a new thread into the epoxy. You'd prefer to have the screw follow the old thread into the epoxy....Show more

You can use wood puty or wood glue to help fill the holes to make the screws hold or fill the holes and drill new ones....Show more

Definately agree with John, and the matchsticks. Using the longer screw into the wall framing will hold more efficiently especially if you have 'solid core' heavy doors
For a temporary fix in hinges such as cabinets etc where longer screws cannot be used, stuff the hole with steel wool, and re insert the screw....Show more

Most door hinges use a short screw for istallation. Your best quick fix is to use the same screw but at a longer length so it reaches the wall stud instead of just the door frame. Make sure when using the longer screws that you just snug them. Overtightening can cause the door swing to be comprimised, but this is a permanent repair....Show more