• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

how to secure a screw on a hollow aluminum door

O

Omegachi

Diamond Member
I am trying to install a door closer on my new aluminum door, I followed the instructions for a regular wood type door install and used a regular wood screw on the hollowed door and it didn't work. When I operated the door couple of times, the door closer where the screwed were installed on the door just ripped out, should have seen this coming...

I went down to homedepot and talked to a worker there and he said to use a plastic anchor, I don't believe him so now I am here. So, anyone here ran into the same problem I had? If so, how did you end up properly securing the screw to the hollow door.

The door is approximately 1.5" thick and the aluminum is probably 1/16" thick.

Please let me know if you need additional info.
 
there are plastic anchors that can work for this, like this kind:
url


But just using a big screw is easiest.
 
Yeah self tapping screw is probably what you want. It's what is normally used in duct work. Just don't over screw it, you want to screw it in till it's tight, but you don't want to over tighten.
 
If all else fails and appearance doesn't matter so much, drill all the way through the door and on the other side connect it with washers and nuts. this way you're not relying on pull-out strength at all. I had to do that on a hollow wooden door a while back and this approach was the third I tried. Held like a charm.
 
Doppel said:
If all else fails and appearance doesn't matter so much, drill all the way through the door and on the other side connect it with washers and nuts. this way you're not relying on pull-out strength at all. I had to do that on a hollow wooden door a while back and this approach was the third I tried. Held like a charm.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd just thru bolt it and call it a day.
 
The regular-sized screws ripped out of our aluminum storm door. So, we went over to Home Depot with the same question, figuring there would be some kind of threaded insert or something. Instead, the pointed us to an over-sized self-tapping screw. It worked like a charm.
 
CurseTheSky said:
The regular-sized screws ripped out of our aluminum storm door. So, we went over to Home Depot with the same question, figuring there would be some kind of threaded insert or something. Instead, the pointed us to an over-sized self-tapping screw. It worked like a charm.
Click to expand...


Exactly. Had to laugh at the OP's comment about using a wood screw in a metal door. Completely wrong threads which is why they pulled out.....strange that there are different screws for different types of materials, eh, OP? Who woulda thunk it?
 
alkemyst said:
a lot of times epoxy > fastener in these kinds of things.
Click to expand...
This could work too. Devcon makes a "Metal Welder" epoxy that's pretty strong, and Lord Corporation's also got some epoxies that work well on metal. I'll try to remember to get a model number once I'm at work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top