Having a screw loose

[Jim the box]

What is the best way to stop the four screws holding the feet onto the bass section from working loose and falling out,
I have tightened them countless times but already lost two? :?

 

[Soulsaver]

What type of screw are they? You've lost the feet or the screws? I've never had the problem, but a serated lock washer or a spring washer under the head may help.

 

[Jim the box]

Screws are normal wood screws that are recessed into the plastic foot, I've kept the foot safe in my gig bag.

I was wondering if putting some wood glue on the screws would help?

 

[JIM D.]

Put a small amount of White glue in the screw hole and a bit on the screw threads - re-install the foot and screw and then wait 12 hours for a dry. If the screw holes have been enlarged place a bit of a small toothpick in the hole before gluing. Once the white glue dries the screw can be removed and re-installed easily. I think you call White glue PVA glue in the UK.

 

[Jim the box]

Thanks Jim, it is indeed called PVA glue here. :tup:
Now I just have to source a couple of screws.

 

[kimric]

If the hole is really reamed out you can slide a 1-2 mm wide strip of a business card in the hole (leave a strip of the card hanging out so you can hold it) and then run the screw in, now back out the screw trying not to dislodge the card strip. Now place a drop of super glue on the hole and use a unbent paper clip to work it around , use 2-3 drops if it is a soft wood that soaks up the glue. Wait half an hr for the glue to harden. Now run the screw in, it should hold nicely. Cut or tear off the strip of paper hanging out.

A trick to avoid reaming out the holes in wood is to turn the screw backwards by hand until you feel the threads line up, and then screw it in, this avoids cross threading and keeps the hole from getting reamed out.