http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=302291 , and it's nice, but when I opened the box the door fell off. Either before or during shipping the screws that were supposed to be holding the hinges in place (screwed into the wall of the humidor) had ripped loose and were scattered around inside the humidor. I finally tracked them all down, but don't know what to do now. I was thinking about just putting some wood glue or super glue on the screws and sticking them back in, but thought I'd ask if someone else knew a better way. Using longer or thicker screws is out of the question due to the thickness of the wood / other hardware constraints. Any thoughts?

P.S. I e-mailed customer service to let them know about it and ask for advice regarding filing a claim (should I try to fix it and then file a claim if I can't?). It's after working hours, though, so I figured I'd check to see if someone out there had an idea of how I could fix this myself without having to bother them or DHL. For the record, this is not a complaint about C-Bid or DHL - I'm just looking for advice on how to fix these screws. Thanks.

I don't think wood glue would work. It's good for wolding wood to wood but you would be gluing a metal screw to wood. I would think filling the holes with wood putty would work but you would really have to let it air out for awhile before putting cigars in it.

Just my thoughts.

You have 2 problems when dealing with stripped screws. The inside wall and the depth of the original screw hole. Don't reuse the screws. They'll only fall out again. You need the next size larger, but that might split the wood and exit the other side if you're not careful. If you can stand the wait, see if they'll replace the humidor. If you are inclined to fix it yourself, you can use wood glue and it will dry just fine and not affect your smokes any. Super glue is not recommended. I would obtain the next size larger screw and attempt to fasten the door on, being careful not to go too deep.

Let me be clarify my remarks.

DON'T attempt to glue the hinges on.

If you need to use glue in a humidor, wood glue is ok. It dries fine. It won't hold hinges to wood though.

I'm not worried about letting it air out for a few days - I have plenty of storage capacity. The screws came out at an angle, so the holes in the wood are significantly larger than the screw size. The holes in the hinges are just a little bigger than the screw size, so if I tried a much larger screw I'd have to enlarge those holes.

Does wood putty dry strong enough for me to drive the screws into?

skip the wood putty...

go to one of the big chain stores... Lowes, Menards, Etc. and pick up some two parts epoxy.. along with that grab a drill bit a little smaller the the screw size.. mix the two parts... fill the holes, wipe it flat with putty knife, let harden.. then lay one of the hinges over the previous area holes and circle them with pencil or pen... then re-drill the holes with the new drill bit... re-atatch the hinges with the screws and your in business!

Hog

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/solutions/article/0,16417,211554,00.html  ? I could pick up toothpicks tonight and I have wood glue at home. I've never tried anything like this before...

By the way, thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm so far out of my element on this stuff that I didn't even think to google a solution until you guys started posting. I appreciate the help.

wjmiskelly, I've done this method as well in the past..

I didn't even read the article.. but your dealing with a softer wood..(humidor) and toothpicks are a harder wood.. using them to fill in the hole adding glue and then (redrilling?) or screwing the screws into the same area without redrilling.. your possibility of the softer wood spliting is enormious.. you would be risking a blowout.. something you wouldn't want on that fine finish?

two parts epoxy will mix well.. and is savable (reusable) for something else in the future.. then redrilling the proper places for the screws you'll have a solid grip better then the wood used originally.. long lasting with no headaches...

the hinges will cover up the looks under the holes..

Hog

Thanks!

The "toothpick tonight" thing didn't work anyway. They only had round toothpicks.

just make sure when you pick up the two parts epoxy.. you burp it once you've used enough for this project...

Burp: turn upside down and pull down on the schringe handles for both tubes.. it will suck in the remaining overrun and you wipe off any excess with a papertowle.. then reinstall the cap... good for the next project and da **** comes in handy like super glue LOL

Hog

just make sure when you pick up the two parts epoxy.. you burp it once you've used enough for this project...

Burp: turn upside down and pull down on the schringe handles for both tubes.. it will suck in the remaining overrun and you wipe off any excess with a papertowle.. then reinstall the cap... good for the next project and da **** comes in handy like super glue LOL

Hog

I love the double posts.. makes me see doubles... where's them oinks? LOL

Hog

wjmiskelly, i've actually used the toothpick/wood glue method for filling stripped holes. it actually works very well if you fill the holes well and let the glue dry completely before drilling. i've used round toothpicks everytime just because that's all i had.

Glue golf tees in the holes with wood glue, cut off when dry.

aluminum foil can give you "grab"