I have a problem that needs your genius. We live in a home built in 1870 and one of the door frames has a loose hinge, the top one. I have tried longer screws, bits of matchstick and even some metal-screen things that are supposed to hold in loose screws, but the door (which is heavy) just pulls the screws out of the old wood since the holes in the wood are worn. What can I do to make the hinge hold. We don't want to replace the door or hardware, as it is original, unless we have to. Please respond by e-mail, when you can since I might just miss the answer if it is only responded to on the air.
Answer:
Have you considered drilling 1" diameter holes with a spoon bit where the screws go? You could then glue in dowel segments and drive new screws (with pilot holes) into that.
