Drill a new hole very close to existing one

[Galten]

This is probably a pretty basic carpentry question, but I want to know how to do this best:

I have had a staircase installed by a company and apparently, the pre-drilled holes in the steps were not quite in the right place, but they screwed in the screws anyway (see picture). I think it's an eyesore and want it straight. About 15 screws are crooked.

I've tried screwing them in straight, but they just fall into their "old tracks." I need to pre-drill, but if I do that it will just make one big hole. Should I fill in the old holes in some way? Everything is hidden by the metal, so I don't have to worry about it being "cosmetic."

(And yes, the company should have done this, but I don't want to bring them back on an hourly basis)

 

[Lexington]

Is it solid or laminate?
In any case, take down the stair step, drill out the hole to the appropriate dimension, glue and press in a plug of the same dimension, let dry and saw off the plug flush with the lower edge, mark out and drill a new hole and screw in place.

 

[Galten]

Is it solid or laminate?
In any case, take down the step, drill out the hole to a suitable dimension, glue and press in a plug of the same dimension, let it dry and saw off the plug flush with the lower edge, mark out and drill a new hole and screw it in place.

Thanks!

The steps are solid wood (beech). I will follow your instructions

 

[tveksamt]

Good instruction from Lexington, but otherwise, I think the company should come and fix that without any additional charge.

 

[Lexington]

Thanks!

The stair steps are solid wood (beech). I will follow your instructions

Maybe you can find plugs in beech, or if you have an extra step, drill out your own plugs.

 

[Centano]

I might think that the company that installed the staircase should take the action.

Edit: Second on that...

 

[Galten]

Maybe you can find plugs in bok, or if you have an extra step, drill out your own plugs.

It won't be visible when everything is mounted so I can use standard wooden plugs.

 

[myrstack]

Just make sure that the ones you plug in with are as hard as your steps. Otherwise, there's a risk that if you screw again and the screw ends up on the border between hard beech and softer plug, it will skew again.

 

[Hep]

Dowel in beech is available at several of the common hardware stores.

 

[Galten]

Just make sure that the ones you plug with are as hard as your steps. Otherwise, if you screw again and the screw lands on the border between hard bok and a softer plug, it might skew again.

Thanks for the tip, I wasn't aware of that!

 

[nimhed]

Not uncommon for "vanliga" plugs to be made of beech

 

[Galten]

I did as you described with dowels in beechwood and wood glue, and then drilled new holes in the right places.

It worked perfectly and now all the screws are straight!

 

[Centano]

I did as you described with wooden dowels in beech and wood glue, and then drilled new holes in the right places.

It worked perfectly and now all the screws are straight!

Turned out nice.

 

[Kurtivan]

Turned out nice there.

I can only agree, well done!

 

[flaxie]

I did as you described with dowels in beech and wood glue, and then drilled new holes in the right places.

It worked perfectly and now all the screws are straight!

[image]

A bit late, but I still want to thank the original poster for the feedback. Always nice to read how it turned out.