On Thu, 19 Jan 2017 15:25:45 -0500, "dadiOH" wrote:


"KenK" wrote in message
...
I have a yard gate that is causing me problems. Its 'hinges' are two large
diameter (3/4"?) 'L' shaped bolts that screw into 2 x 4s. The gate has
'brackets' that fit over the vertical part of the 'L' and it swings back
and forth. That's hard to describe and I likely failed.

Anyhow, one L-bolt is very loose in the 2x4. I tried several different
caulks but they do not set firmly anough and are not liquid enough to fill
in well around the bolt and hold it rigidly. I'm thinking of some kind of
glue instead. Suggestions? I would greatly prefer not to have to replace
the 2 x 4.

If the wood is good - not rotted or soft - you could do this...

1. Chisel out the wood where the fasteners go making a hole that is 1/8 -
1/4 than the fastener all around. Making it wider toward the back would be
good. The hole need not be neat.

2. Get some epoxy resin, hardener and Cab-o-Sil filler. The latter is
fumed silica, very light and fluffy. and should be available at any place
that sells epoxy in cans (as opposed to tubes). You could use auto body
filler but the resin is polyester resin, not epoxy and the filler is
(mostly) talc. It should work but not as well as epoxy and not - maybe -
for as long.

3. Pour out enough epoxy to fill the enlarged hole. Add the filler to it
and mix it in. Continue adding filler until you have a paste about as thick
as peanut butter...thick enough so it stands up and doesn't run.

4. Add the proper amount of hardener to the paste mixing it very well.

5. Pack the paste into the hole.

6. Insert the fastener into the paste. Once inserted, do not move it.
Wipe off the paste that squeezes out.

7. Wait a day then sand if needed and paint.

If the wood is rotted, you could do the same thing, just make the hole big
enough to get to good wood.


If you have a stainless or aluminum fabricator nearby you should be
able to talk them out of a coffee cup or two of filings. Both will be
pretty sturdy filler. Just be sure it is not ferric (magnetic).