I'm building a sturdy cat tree for my disabled cat and need a reliable way to secure a scratching board. Since I plan to change the board regularly, I'll have to screw and unscrew the same drill holes many times. I'm worried that this will weaken the holes over time. I've seen things that look like screw sheathes before but couldn't find the right term; when I search for 'screw sheathes', I just get drywall anchors, which won't work since I'm going into wood. Does anyone know the correct term for this or have any recommendations on how I can protect these drill holes from wear?
3 Answers
Brass inserts for stainless screws would definitely be a great choice too! They come in both press-in and screw-in types, both offering solid strength. You'll find them really handy for repeated use.
If you're not keen on metal inserts, after you thread the screw in initially, you could add a bit of thin CA glue to the hole. This will help firm up the threads in the wood and minimize wear from unscrewing.
It sounds like you're looking for a "threaded insert". They're perfect for your situation. If the material is too thin for a threaded insert, consider using "rivet nuts". They are a bit costly at first because you'll need special tooling, but once you have it, it makes fixing attachments super easy!
E-Z Lok makes great threaded inserts! Their installation tool is affordable and works well. Just be sure to pick the right threads for the type of wood you're using.