grand hinge to rim screws stripped

[Mike Kurta]

    Hi Jessica:
    Here's an old trick I learned from a retired technician:  Carefully unwind the copper winding from a bass string keeping the circular shape looking much like a spring.  Cut to length and insert in the stripped hole and put the screw back in.  Now the threads of the screw have something solid to bite into.  If one length is not enough, two or three can be used.  Depending on the looseness and size of the screw, it helps to have different thicknesses of copper windings on hand.  
    I have used this method successfully on stripped grand legs, music desks, almost anywhere.  It allows the removal and replacement of wood screws without enlarging the hole, and will really hold the screw tight.  The copper imbeds inself into the wood  and will stay there.  This follows the same principle as "Heli-Coil" thread inserts used in metalworking where the threaded hole is stripped.  Good Luck!
    Mike Kurta, RPT
    Chicago chapter
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