Replacing sharp pointy cabinet hinge crews on a Scamp 13.

[zack sc]

My 2021 Scamp 13 has very sharp pointy screws holding the hinge to the fiberglass cabinet. On the inside they can readily snag and tear things. They are difficult to cut or file. (they seem like a hardened tempered metal of some kind.). I was thinking of replacing them with small machine screws. I'm not sure what size to get. Does that seem like an okay idea? Maybe I could get fine threads to reduce loosening due to vibration? Suggestions are welcome.

[bertherr]

If you can't find a replacement screw that works well you could cover the screw ends. Maybe something like these:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...2788/204275995

Or, back the screws out and put a small block of wood on the inside of the cabinet to drive the screws back into. Bert

[Joe MacDonald]

if you get "nylock" nuts, they have a nylon piece on the end that stops them form loosening, you can also get "acorn" nuts that cover the end of the screw completely leaving a dome that is not sharp, as for size- use the same basic size as the wood screws, i.e. 6,8,10- take one of the screws in for sizing and get the equivalent in a machine screw, you may have to slightly enlarge the hole to fit the machine screw through it.
Joe

[Martin B.]

Complicated solution: Replace the wood screws with machine screws (#6, I think) and nylon locking nuts with a washer on the inside.

[GOB]

Just take a Dremel and grind the points off.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by zack sc

My 2021 Scamp 13 has very sharp pointy screws holding the hinge to the fiberglass cabinet. On the inside they can readily snag and tear things. They are difficult to cut or file. (they seem like a hardened tempered metal of some kind.). I was thinking of replacing them with small machine screws. I'm not sure what size to get. Does that seem like an okay idea? Maybe I could get fine threads to reduce loosening due to vibration? Suggestions are welcome.

Nylon or sheet metal acorn nuts will thread onto almost any pointed screw.

https://amazon.com/Metric-Thread-Threaded-Protection-Assortment/dp/B07XG9CG4H/ref=sr_1_21?crid=1WUSR4D43MTIX&keywords=Toy+Retain ing+cap+nut%2C+acorn+nut&qid=1656697092&sprefix=to y+retaining+cap+nut%2C+acorn+nut%2Caps%2C726&sr=8-21

[Dan Meyer]

Take one screw out, and take it with you to the hardware store. Use this screw to make sure you get the proper diameter but shorter screws.

--Dan Meyer

[GpaNed]

I had the same problem and put a low profile dollop of silicone glue on each one. This has worked for many years.

[Jim Bennett]

You could removed a few screws, grind off the points and reinsert them. I have ground tips off screw by screwing them into a thin piece of plywood to hold them will while grinding. This way any part of the screw holding the hinge would not be affected.

Another option would be to remove the screws and epoxy a small, thin piece of plywood to the fiberglass where the screws come through then reinstall the screws. A bit thicker piece of plywood with a bit longer screw would hold much better.

Using a shorter screw could likely result in the screw coming loose if the pointed end of it is relied on for support.

[NOD]

On my 13' Scamp, I used oval head machine screws, #6 x 3/4" if I recall correctly, with a small washer and a nylock nut for all the hinges. The nylock nut is important because it won't loosen over time with all the vibrations the trailer experiences while towing.