I have a gate latch that was supposed to be secured with self-tapping screws on a metal frame, but those screws got pulled out, and now the holes in the frame are stretched and useless. I attempted to fix this with steel silk, but that only lasted a day before breaking. Is there any kind of foam I can spray into these holes that will harden and provide a solid anchor for my screws?
3 Answers
One possible solution is to attach a metal plate over the frame where the latch is, then drill and tap new holes into that plate. You might also consider using larger screws to fill the gaps left by the original ones, which might be a quick fix too.
Why not just use bolts that go all the way through? It would give you a much more stable connection. Though I'd understand if you're worried about drilling through the metal and messing up your fence.
Foams usually won't offer the strength you need for this type of application. Instead, you might want to look into using larger screws or even some blind rivets that fit the old holes. If you can access the top, pouring epoxy could work, but that would require more effort and cost. I'd say going with bigger screws or rivets is the way to go for a solid repair.
True, I would have to drill through the other side and it could ruin the wood. But maybe bolts are worth a shot for extra support.