Thread: Odd Allen key size. Where to get one?

Are they a pefect 6 sided or are they ore star shaped which is a TORK screw. Supersheap & bunnies have cheap sets that include screwdiver bits, torks, allen keys etc . about $10 to $20

Hope that helps.

they are hexagon. in shape from what I can see
Toni
but then again after another look they might be round

It's quite possible that the bolt or grub screw that you tighten is worn which is why the allen key won't fit. I would be pulling the bolt or grub screw out and replacing it so that a normal allen key fits.

Won't the thread be a different thread?

have you tried a 1/16" thats 1.6 mm

What I'm saying Toni, is that the allen key part of the bolt has worn from use, so the hole is bigger which means that the original 1.5mm?? is now too small but the 2mm is to big, so by removing the worn bolt and replacing it with a new one of the same thread the 1.5mm will fit, that's if its metric.

Hex sockets that small are very prone to the damage DJ mentions. It takes only a wee bit of dust to prevent the key from making a secure purchase, and then the socket becomes closer to round, as well as the key. If appearance is not overly important, I'd replace the grub screw with a longer cap screw with round or domed Phillips head. The metal of such a screw isn't as strong, but adequate for the purpose at hand. Same with chuck jaw screws, except use countersunk Phillips head.

Joe

If you have a spare 2mm you can file them down until they fit neatly or extract with an ezeout and like the guys say above put in a new grub screw. Engineers supplies will have all the sizes in either allen keys or grub screws. If you replace the grub screw get one with a protruding square head on it so you can tighten/loosen with a spanner. "Engineers supplies" ie Blackwoods/Westfarmers or look in the yellow pages in your area.

I took it over to a mechanic mate of mine and his 1.5mm allen key did fit. go figure the kit I bought must be off in size. but anyway it is all tightened again so I am away
bye Toni

Great news Toni

At least it is not Korean - every batch of gear that has screw threads is a different spec - not recognisably metric or imperial, just some weird amalgam. Best guess is that they get the bolts/screws & inserts or whatever in a batch & the supplier grinds his own tooling to whatever suits him, then cuts say a metric pitch with a Whitworth profile.