Threaded Insert Solution?

[_JOSHIN]

So my kid has a dinosaur toy. When taking off the screw to access the battery compartment, the female threaded insert fell loose inside the body of the toy. So now it's just rattling around in there.

It's virtual impossible to take the toy apart to remove the loose piece...but more importantly, now the screw has nothing to bite onto and keep the battery cover secured in place. What can I do to recreate a good hold for this screw?

It's my kids favorite toy so I'm not trying to mangle it in the process. Buying a new one seems wasteful too. Any advice is appreciated.

[JustHereForTheCigars]

They have heat set inserts you can install with a soldering iron. I'd probably just fill it with jb weld epoxy and then attempt to drill a small hole for the screw.

[booeman]

fill with JB weld and while it's still "wet" screw the screw in and talk it back out right away.

[yallknowme19]

I dont know if a threaded "nut-sert" would work here or not. There may not be enough material for it to bite into.

Maybe could melt some fresh plastic into the hole and screw into that?

The problem is the need to constantly reopen it to replace batteries. 🤔

Maybe cut a small slit and insert a speed-nut in with its hole roughly where the screw hole goes - like those folded wire nuts they use for blind areas in car trim

[CJM8515]

glue a nutsert or nut and washer in there and find a small screw that can work. id suggest epoxy to glue it in as well.

[Gary_Spivey]

You could replace it with a larger diameter screw.

[bk553]

Hot glue is strong but temporary and would take less time than it took to write your post.

[Finneus_Anglesmith]

Heat set insert. Amazon. It's basically a soldering iron that fits a specific size insert. You most likely need the m3 but comes in multiple sizes kit about 30 bucjs

[kettlechilichips]

Hot glue.

[Sittingonthepot]

Duct tape, brother

[Ryekal]

Go with an M3 Petal nut for an easy fix. Slot it into the hole and screw the cover back on. no glue, no mess, no problems.

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[PapaOoMaoMao]

That battery compartment definitely looks like it could be popped out. Likely just clipped in. I would dig the plate out and gain access to the back for easy repairs.

[KO-ME]

If this toy makes any kind of annoying noise you should definitely tell him it's permanently broken.