Lawnmower help

I have a bosch mower, the part that attaches the handle to the machine is very poorly designed. The original screws (tight thread, stubby, slightly tapered) started to work loose within a few weeks of purchase and end up somewhere on the grass and the handle comes away in your hands, such a nuisance. I've tried all other kinds of screw options but none of them hold for long and work themselves out. FYI the screw hole on the machine itself is only drilled on one side of the 'tube' if you see what I mean.

I'm trying to find a proper fix for this, am I missing something obvious? Or can someone suggest a long-term solution? Here is a pic with the handle slightly lifted out of the 'socket' to show the screw holes.



Thanks
GG

 

Thanks @Loofah I was figuring it might come to that, though being a lazy so and so I was thinking of a bit of cardboard shoved in between to make a professional fit

 

The problem with using a long bolt is that it could deform both of the tubes, and therefore may not tighten. Use a metal plug inside the smaller tube to prevent this.

Or even easier, weld them together...

 

Well @Sandy Ground - are you telling me the Swedes have come up with a way to weld plastic to metal, if so we'd all like to hear?

Not sure if I could fashion a metal plug or is it something one can buy? You are obviously more handy that I in the metalwork department!

GG

 

If you don't need to disassemble it for storage , I would Araldite the handle into the boss .

 

Oops! Didnt realise one was plastic.

 

Thanks for the replies. The Araldite sounds good because it sounds easy but I'm wondering if it will hold for long (never used it before) as it gets a lot of yanking about (I'm no sedate mower) and that is the main stress point between handle and main gubbins.. Otherwise I think the drill and bolt may be the best options.

Thanks again
GG

 

GG , the Araldite you need is a two part epoxy resin . You get two tubes and mix them together 50 / 50 to form the adhesive . This is a very strong paste adhesive , it is used quite a lot in industry.