I have a stupid question about screws.?

Question

Basically, I'm wondering what to do about screws that are too long, and poking out the other side of the wood.

(I don't make things very often, so I'm quite clueless... )

I am trying to make a sandwich board sign, and have attatched hinges to the top of 2 thin pieces of wood with the short screws that came with the hinges- which are still slightly too long.

Is there some kind of plastic nubbin or something I can get to cover the pokey, exposed s***w ends?

I know the obvious answer is to just to redo it with shorter screws, but the holes would still be visible where they poked through, so I thought it would look tidier if I could cover them, and I don't want to start over again entirely.

Does such a product for that purpose exist?

(I realize most people probably measure their screws before embarking on something, but I clearly did not...)

Answer 1

Use shorter screws. Thats the correct thing to do. filing the long screws or cutting them off or jabbing their protruding edges on stuff isnt going to help you in the long run

Answer 2

Been there brother. Get a dremel tool and shave off the exposed end. That in itself looks cool (like a rivit almost) but if you must just paint over it with a dab of wood colored paint. Don't have a dremel? BUY ONE! Or you could use a file but it wont look as sharp.

Answer 3

Use some smaller screws and putty the holes.  Cover with some paint.  Or grind the screws off and do the same.

Bronco

Answer 4

There's no such thing as a stupid question.  How else would we learn?

OK- if it doesn't have to finished early tomorrow morning...

Do you have any other tools?

If so a hacksaw would take care of it & it's an inexpensive fix- you can generally find one at a dollar store.  

You can cut them off with flat cut pliers- looks like something a horeshoeing guy would use...

There are also wall anchors- these are generally for inserting in drywall before you install the s***w to hold it in place- but they are plastic and would be a little scratchy, but not make you bleed.

Use huge globs of rubber cement to cover the pokey

Next & last-  corks.  Available at most craft dept & stores.

The major thing to remember in all you do is:  measure twice, cut once.

Good luck.  God bless, love you.

Answer 5

Well, you could take a small piece of wood and s***w the s***w into it where it pokes through.  That, besides shorter screws, would be the simplest solution.

Reccommend: Shorter screws and wood putty for the holes left.

Answer 6

use a hacksaw and saw the ends off

Answer 7

you could use metal cutter or plyers to cut the poking ends off or unsrew them use shorter screws and putty up the holes good luck and next time measure before you get out the drill lol

Answer 8

since youve gone through both pieces of wood already you can put bolts in the same thread pattern in and cap off the back with captive nuts aka acorn nuts

Answer 9

Cut the screws shorter with the cutter in a pair of regular pliers.  Replace the screws and cover the holes with toothpaste.  No trip to the store necessary.

Answer 10

hmm, i'm not to sure either, but i guess you could try to have the ends cut off, then put some type of adhesive goo to cover the hole on the back?? i'm sorry i cant help more!!!

Answer 11

buy shorter screws and use filler in the hole

Answer 12

Hand grinder will be the tool for that job

Answer 13

get some beading from a diy store and put it around the edges.and whatever is left you can make a cricket bat and go for a game of tennis at the swimming pool

Answer 14

Hacksaw and a iron FILE.

Answer 15

I've done it on a door, I just took a hand grinder and ground the end off.