Thread: Is there a fix for a partially rounded allen key slot?

Take it out and hacksaw a slot in it for a screwdriver

If the Allen Head Screw is able to be removed I think you best choice would be to replace it with a new one.Unless the Head of the bolt sits in a counter bore so that its not interferring with machine opperation you could use any type of same thread fastner to secure your item.
You may find that trying to cut a Screwdriver slot in the Head hard going they are usually very tough to cut.

Good news, it turns out the supplier has them as a spare part, so all is good...
I'll keep the old one and cut a slot in it.

Heres a picture of the part, no 9 in the diagram. Now i've got to figure out how to change it.

Thanks for the help..

Joez

once you manage to change it... some prevention might be in order.

Make sure the allen key you are using is the correct one and of good quality, there are a couple of sizes that are close but no cigar....and some of the cheap ones are not as accurate or as hard as they should be......the result is they chew up the hole.

make sure the key you use is properly hex all the way to the end...grind the worn tip off till it is hex all the way to the end

make sure the hole you are putting the key into is clean all the way to the bottom before you put the key in.....this is a real problem in wood work gear......quite a bit of the hole can be full of carp as a result you chop out the top of the hex hole and the end of the key and it keeps getting worse.

keep the thread clean and lubricated......that does wonders.

cheers

Originally Posted by joez

now i've got to figure out how to change it.

So do you mean you are still having trouble in getting it out?

thanks for the help.. Joez

Metal Head

HI Metal Head, havent tried yet.

It turns out the spare isnt threaded, so I am hoping it will just slide out when the locking bolts removed.

I'll will give it a go tommorow.

thanks
joez

As a last resort, if you can't get it out,you could try and drill the head off the cap screw. I've had sucess with this in the past.

Hi,

I have found that peining down the damaged head with the ball pein end of a hammer closes up the hexagon. Then hammer in the allen key, this as got me out of the s--t many a time.

MH