Another useful method is drilling out the hole and filling it with matchsticks and wood glue. Let it dry, cut it flat and rescrew the hole. It takes a while longer to dry but I think it might be more secure than hot glue.
I’ve done this with great success on kitchen cabinet hinges. I didn’t drill them out, just broke off wooden toothpicks to match the depth of the hole, covered with wood glue, put them in the hole, then put the screw back in. Works amazingly well.
This is what my grandfather did, and I use the same trick now. Always keep a box of toothpicks with the tool kit.
Great tip:)
Dowels work too if you’ve got them. I use that method for concrete too, since I find tapcons frequently fail to grab. Drill out the concrete hole larger than the screw. Shove a dowel or a bunch of toothpicks/splinters into the hole, then drive the tapcon or a wood screw in. Holds like crazy since the wood conforms to the concrete wall imperfections. Might rot over time though. Maybe plastic is better.
Sounds a lot like a concrete anchor with extra steps.
Yeah, I’ve heard this one. At least the matchstick part. Haven’t had the need yet
I’ve done this to fill deep holes, then spackle over and paint
Blu Tack / adhesive putty / artists putty eraser is also useful for a first try. Easier to reuse, no mess. Hot glue is a good idea for stronger adhesive though.