Can this broken screw thread be fixed?
by
V Valencia
+8
The "male" portion of this decorative bird feeder broke off. Unfortunately it doesn't completely screw into the "female" opening on the bottom part of the feeder and doesn't stay upright. Can it be fixed? or re-purposed?
Top part of bird feeder
Both top and bottom parts
8 answers
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If the bottom base of the stand is open, it's possible you can run a new screw up and into the stand. You'd have to remove the existing "male" part and run a new one in. If that doesn't work you could try a product called JB Weld but I'm not certain if this would fix the issue of its stability.
MN Mom
on Mar 15, 2016
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Looks like a good candidate for a little spot welding!
Duv310660
on Mar 16, 2016
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Check your Home Depot for a re-thread tool. My husband used to use something to make new threads for screws (male & female parts) also check your local High School Vocational for a machine / auto repair/ industrial classes. Some teach these classes and are willing to help if you call and speak with the instructor, community colleges have these also. Most don't charge unless there is a part they have to purchase - then it's like 10% added to the price of part which is a donation. My husband developed the Industrial Maintenance courses for H.S. when he left the military and the steel industry as a Certified Master Millwright in 1983.
Dottie Weirich
on Mar 16, 2016
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Use an adhesive!
Jud1016678
on Mar 16, 2016
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If there is enough of the screw portion left, you may be able to find a nut that will fit to secure it. Take that portion to the hardware store, so that you can get exactly the right size. :)
9530106
on Mar 16, 2016
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If you must have it so it can be unscrewed in the future, you could look at furniture fittings that have built in male and female screws and attach those
Chris Smith
on Mar 17, 2016
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Looks like it's cast iron... so I would get my dad to weld it. But it really depends on the type of metal it is. Some metals are more complicated and costly than others. This is where it becomes a pain. You would likely have to actually bring the bird bath to welding shops to have them evaluate the metal and give you an estimate. It looks as though the threads are quite worn (I can't actually see threads so it might not have had threads to begin with). You might not get a very good snug fit if you had it rethreaded... but that is probably the cheapest way to go and you won't waste a pile of money if it were to fail. But I don't think that would be strong enough as that nub looks pretty short and wouldn't go into the base very deep. Worst case scenario, you could have that little post that fits into the bottom cut off, then drill a hole straight into the stand where the post was, have it tapped then put a threaded rod into the new hole that was just drilled. Also make sure there is a clean hole through the bottom part. That way you can have the bottom reattached with a nut to the threaded rod. For a little extra sturdiness, I would tap the bottom as well so the threaded rod screws into the base then put a lock washer and a nut for that little bit of extra security. It would certainly be easier to store if you went that route as you could take it apart. You could also have the small nub cut off, drill into it, thread it and put a bolt in from underneath the base. That would be the simplest way.
Barb Gimbel
on Mar 17, 2016
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You are very welcome.
Barb Gimbel
on Mar 18, 2016
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