How Do You Fill a Hole in Wood

Wooden furniture, trims, doors, and windows are so long-lasting that you can easily repair and reuse them even after they get some cracks, gaps, and holes.

The key here is knowing how to fill these holes correctly so you can redrill the wood.

Fortunately, there are a number of products and ways by which you can repair a hole in the wood for screwing – to make it reusable.

Using wood fillers (such as FamoWood or Elmer’s) is one of the easiest methods to make the wood so hard that you can permanently cover the old holes, cracks, and gaps to redrill or screw them into without damaging the wood itself.

Interested in knowing more about how to use these wood fillers properly, what fillers are best, and what other alternative methods you can use to fill the holes or gaps? Let’s dive in right below…

In This Article We Will Cover:

3 Different Ways to Fill a Hole in Wood

When it comes to filling the holes in wood (whether small or large), I generally use three methods.

As I said before, the first one is using wood filler. The second is by using wood plugs, and the third is by using wood glue.

Below is a step-by-step process you must follow when using these different methods.

Method 1. Wood Filler

Wood filler is generally used for filling up small holes (like the ones formed by nails, screws, wood-boring insects, etc.).

Online you can find a variety of different wood fillers. Some of them are:

Wood filler	Usage	Drying time
Vinyl	Indoor floor and furniture	15-24 hours
Gypsum	Both indoors and outdoors	Around 1 hour
Cellulose	Outdoor furniture and flooring	30-50 minutes
Epoxy filler	Outdoor furniture, flooring, deck, etc	20 minutes to a few hours

Although all will do the same job of filling the wood, not all of them can be redrilled or screwed into.

So, you will need to choose the one that can be predrilled.

Step 1 – Choose the wood filler

Weather-resistant epoxy filler is the best option when filling wood holes to redrill because it’s moisture-proof, dries quickly, and will not leave any cracks after drying.

Applying it correctly will make the surface ready to drill or nail even when the wood is located outdoors (where extreme weather conditions can be a problem).

Step 2 – Prep

When using wood filler for repair, you will need to clean and prepare the surface.

This means removing flaking paint chips around the hole using a scraper tool or sandpaper.

Next, dampen the cloth in water and clean the surface to remove any dust.

Step 3 – Fill the hole

With your preferred nail hole filler, overfill the hole.

As the filler dries up, it will most likely shrink, so overfilling the gap is recommended.

Please wait a while to dry the filler, then spread it evenly on the hole with a putty knife. You can use your finger to press the filler inside the hole to level it up if you want.

Step 4 – Wait and smooth the area

After the hole is covered completely, wait an hour or two to get the filler dried.

Depending on the product you have used, it can take anywhere from 1 hour to 8 hours to get the filler completely dry.

Once the filler is dried, smoothen the area using fine-grit sandpaper.

Sand the surface lightly until you see that the filler has leveled up with the surface.

If you notice there is still some gap, repeat the process once again with a little bit of wood filler once again.

After the hole is filled and the filler is dry, you can now redrill the piece of wood furniture or door frame.

Method 2- Wood Plugs

Wood plugs are small circular pieces of wood that can be easily made or can be bought from online shops.

A wood plug cutter is often used for DIY making these pegs at home.

And the good thing is you can prepare them according to the size you need depending on the size and shape of the gap (crack or screw gun hole) you want to fill.

In general, wood plugs are used to fill larger holes that are long and straight deep down the wood.

To insert wooden plugs inside the wood, you can follow these simple steps…

Pick a wood plug that will fit well inside the hole

Apply some wood glue on the sides (or inside) of the hole
Insert the wood plug slowly into the wooden hole
If required, adjust the plug using a hammer; make sure you do not hit it hard

Allow some time to dry the glue, and then using a saw, trim off the extra wood plug
Finally, with a piece of sandpaper, sand the area to level up the surface and give a nice finished look.

Method 3- Sawdust & Glue

One of the fastest and cheapest ways to fill the screw holes in wood is by using sawdust or wooden scrap.

If you are in a hurry and don’t have commercial wood fillers or plugs available, the homemade wood filler can be quickly made using sawdust and glue.

Remember that the process can be messy if you have not done it before.

So, start by wearing gloves and a face mask for protection.

Then follow these easy steps…

Make some sawdust using sandpaper or an electric sander. Or, if you already have sawdust saved from your previous project – use that.
Filter out bigger particles (dust and scraps) from the sawdust you collected

Add some wood glue to the sawdust and mix the two materials to make a thick paste-like substance.
Add some more glue if required, keeping in mind that you do not turn it into a runny mixture.
After achieving the right consistency, apply the sawdust filler paste to the cracks and holes with a putty knife.

Level the mixture, remove the excess and allow it to dry for 1-2 hours.
After the surface is dried, sand it gently using fine-grit sandpaper. And clean the area with a tack cloth.

And that’s it! Your surface is now ready for redrilling, screwing, or painting over.

Keep in mind that the sawdust and glue mixture hardens very fast. So, you will need to use the prepared batch quickly to avoid wasting.

And since the remaining mixture that has hardened is not workable, it’s good to dispose of it safely.

Also, make sure that you clean the putty knife fast using warm water, or it will be hard to remove the mixture later once it hardens on it.

Can I Use Super Glue to Fix a Small Hole in Wood?

Using super glue (cyanoacrylate or CA glue) is an excellent “hack” for quick wood repairs.

By layering the glue with a filler like baking soda or fine sawdust, you trigger an exothermic reaction that hardens the mixture almost instantly.

This creates a dense, plastic-like plug that is ideal for filling stripped screw holes or small cracks.

While it cures much faster than traditional wood glue, keep in mind that the resulting bond is quite brittle; it’s perfect for filling voids, but may crack if used on large structural joints subject to heavy vibration or flexing.

To perform the repair,

Start with a clean, dry hole.

Fill the cavity with your chosen medium—baking soda provides a hard, neutral base, while sawdust helps match the wood’s natural color.
Drip thin CA glue onto the filler until it is saturated; for deeper holes, work in thin layers to ensure the glue penetrates the bottom.

Once the mixture flashes dry, you can immediately sand it flush, stain it, or redrill a pilot hole for a new screw.

What to use to fill large holes in rotted wood?

To patch a large-sized hole in rotten exterior wood, you can either use waterproof wood putty, two-part epoxy products, sawdust, or even some old wax candles.

For effective and long-lasting results, you should apply a wood hardener to restore damage and reinforce the decayed wood. Then fill cavities with wood filler using a rot-resistant wood filler.

Not only will it make the repaired wood drillable/screwable but also it will protect the wood from moisture, rainwater and snow outdoors.

How to Redrill the Wood after Repairing and Filling Holes?

Once you have filled the hole successfully, it’s essential to know how you can redrill into the wood safely to make clean holes.

Screwing in or drilling into the freshly filled area can be risky.

And if you do not follow the process patiently, you can damage the wood piece forever.

Follow these bits of advice so that you do not end up damaging your wood…

When filling holes for redrilling, consider adding some toothpicks to increase the strength of the wood area you just filled.

When using wood plugs for screwing or redrilling the area, consider making the pilot hole bit bigger. This will make it easier to smooth the area better.
When drilling a hole, first mark the position with a pencil.
Then, using a hand or power drill, make the hole. Do not make the hole too deep, and make sure you drill the hole at a right angle.

To avoid any damage and quickly fix the new screw, consider using a screw with a wider diameter than the previous one after you have redrilled it.
If you’re screwing into a hardwood (such as maple or walnut), consider using a soap or wax candle to lubricate the threads, which will drive the screw into the wood much more effortlessly.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Reusing Wood Screw Holes?

Reusing a screw hole in wood is a common DIY crossroads.

Whether you’re fixing a sagging cabinet door, fixing the rot, or relocating hardware, filling and redrilling is often the most professional way to ensure a “fresh start” for your fasteners.

But here are a few pros and cons of the process you should keep in mind before doing that.

Feature	Advantages	Disadvantages
Structural Integrity	Restores the “grip” and pull-out strength of the fastener, preventing hardware from wobbling.	If the filler (like soft putty) isn’t structural, the screw will pull out immediately under load.
Precision	Allows you to shift a hole by just 1–2mm without the drill bit “walking” back into the old void.	Requires curing time (up to 24 hours) before you can safely redrill.
Aesthetics	Hides mistakes or old layouts perfectly under paint or stain.	Fillers may react differently to stains than the surrounding wood, leaving a visible “plug” mark.
Cost-Effectiveness	Extends the life of expensive furniture or cabinetry instead of replacing entire panels.	Requires extra tools and materials (glue, dowels, chisels, or specialized fillers).

How to Make an Existing Nail Hole Smaller to Reuse the Same Nail?

Fixing a “blown-out” or loose nail hole is a common DIY headache, but it’s surprisingly simple to solve with items you likely already have in your junk drawer.

When a hole becomes too large, the nail loses the friction it needs to stay secure. To fix this, you essentially need to re-bulk the interior of the hole so the nail has something new to bite into.

The Shim Technique (Toothpicks or Matches)

The most reliable way to shrink a hole for reuse is to fill the void with scrap wood and glue. This creates a fresh, tight channel for your original nail.

Prep the hole: Clean out any loose drywall dust or wood splinters.
Insert “fillers”: Take a few wooden toothpicks or matchsticks (snip off the flammable heads first!) and dip them in a small amount of wood glue.
Pack it tight: Push as many as will fit into the hole. Use a hammer to lightly tap them in until they are snug.

Trim and dry: Use a utility knife to cut the toothpicks flush with the wall. Let the glue dry for about 20–30 minutes.
Re-nail: Drive your original nail directly into the center of the wooden bundle. The toothpicks will compress, creating a rock-solid grip.

Alternative Quick Fixes

If you don’t have toothpicks handy, you can use other household materials to create a temporary shim:

The Cotton Ball Trick: For very small holes in drywall, stuffing a tiny bit of a cotton ball (saturated with a drop of glue) into the hole can provide just enough friction for a light picture nail.
Zip Ties: In a pinch, a small piece of plastic zip tie inserted into the hole acts like a makeshift wall anchor, gripping the nail as it’s driven in.

The Smart Way: Upgrade to a Screw

Sometimes, the “smart” move isn’t fixing the hole, but evolving the hardware. If the material around the hole is crumbling or the nail keeps pulling out, switch to a thicker screw.

Because screws feature threads, they provide mechanical “pull” that a smooth nail lacks.

By choosing a screw with a slightly larger diameter than the original nail, the threads will cut their own fresh path into the surrounding wood or drywall.

This eliminates the need for fillers entirely and provides a much higher weight capacity.

If you’re working with drywall and the hole is significantly enlarged, skipping the nail and moving straight to a self-drilling plastic wall anchor is the most professional way to ensure your decor doesn’t end up on the floor.

Related FAQs:

How to fill a rawl plug for redrilling?

If an old wall plug (rawl plug) is loose or needs to be reused, the most effective method is to pack the center with wooden toothpicks or matchsticks. Dip the wood in a bit of PVA glue and jam as many as possible into the plug’s cavity.

Once dry, trim them flush. This creates a solid core for the new screw to bite into. Alternatively, remove the old plug, fill the hole with two-part polyester filler, and redrill once cured.

How can I repair a circular hole in wood?

For a clean, structural repair of a circular hole, use a wooden dowel that matches the hole’s diameter. Apply wood glue to the dowel, tap it into the hole until snug, and let it dry. Saw off the excess and sand it flush with the surface.

If the hole is shallow or irregular, a two-part wood filler is better; it hardens quickly, doesn’t shrink like standard putty, and can be sanded or stained to match the surrounding grain.

Can you use Milliput to fill holes in wood to redrill?

Yes, Milliput is excellent for this task. As a two-part epoxy putty, it cures into a rock-hard, stone-like consistency that bonds exceptionally well to wood fibers. Once fully hardened (usually 3–4 hours), it can be drilled, tapped, or sanded just like natural wood.

It is particularly useful for structural repairs where a screw needs to bear weight, as it won’t shrink or crack over time. Just ensure the hole is free of dust before applying for maximum adhesion.

Final Thoughts

Filling the screw holes, cracks, or large-sized gaps in the wood for reuse is not very easy.

You can increase the risk of damaging the wood, especially if you want to crew into or redrill the specific area after the repair.

But if you follow the above tips and steps, you can successfully repair rotten wood without needing special skills.

Choose your preferred method from above and ensure you follow the steps right so that you do not damage the wood hole and make the wood unusable.

Hi, I am Mark Garner a professional carpenter, woodworker, and DIY painter. I live in the small city of Peoria, Arizona as a semi-retired woodworker. I have started this blog with a simple motive to help you with my wood experience in this sector. If you like to know more about what I love doing and how it all got started, you can check more about me here.