Stripped screw holes should be correctly repaired.  The correct
method is to drill out the stripped hole and place a dowel in the hole.
Pre-drill your new screw hole.  Do not force a wood screw into piece of
wood as it will just crack the surrounding wood creating another needed
repair.

The tricky part is using the correct dowel.   We make new ones with
a plug cutter.  Usually 3/8 inch diameter for a number 6 or 8 wood
screw.  Glue the dowel in the hole you cut for the stripped screw.
Use the same type of wood as the original part to compensate for wood
expansion and contraction over the years.

A dowel bought from a supplier will have the wood grain going in the
same direction as the screw and in effect will act like a large group
of straws held in your hand that pull out of your hand easily.  This is
why you need to make your own dowel with a plug cutter, having the wood
grain going across the screw hole.

Don Teach - Shreveport Music Co.
Shreveport, Louisiana