DIYbanter - View Single Post

a (Dave Baker) thoughtfully wrote:

Subject: screw keeps turning
From: dundonald ofspam
Date: 04/05/04 11:14 GMT Daylight Time
Message-id:

I've searched the google archive for an answer to this question before
posting but unfortunately to no avail. So ...

I've just secured a bookcase to the wall with two screws. The screw on the
left just keeps on turning when flush to the wood whereas the screw on the
right has become tight. I've often wondered:

1. why does a screw sometimes keep on turning?

Ummm doh, cos the thread it's screwing into is stripped.

Ah right ok, dumb question, what do you mean stripped? And do you mean the
wall plug is stripped?

2. if a screw does keep on turning, what is the impact on the security of
the fixing?

It'll still take a vertical load but will pull straight out with a horizontal
one. Remove it, put another rawlplug in with some matchsticks for packing if
necessary and refit it all.

Useful those match sticks eh.

--