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Time for me to be the top guy that I am and contribute positively again..
I've been asked on a number of occasions how to remove a bolt, particularly an Allen/inhex/socket (Whatever name you choose to use..) bolt/screw, so i figured i'd give some good tips and suggestions to help out. Most of these tips will also work for double hex/multi point socket head screws..
Allen keys aren't as good as you think...
Allen head screws are a very, very good screw, but, unfortunately, traditional allen keys don't do them a lot of good.
In most cases, allen keys are fine. However, if you get a screw that is rather tight, you can strip the head of it easily swinging off an allen key. This is because the bend radius on the key makes the pivot point of the allen key lower than the centreline of the screw. Because you are putting the force in one direction, it tends to "push the allen key over" as you are trying to twist the screw. What this does is splay the top of the head of the screw as it pushes it out.
When this starts to happen.. STOP! Don't try and keep going. It's not going to give and you're going to bugger the head of the screw.
Ok, so what can i do now??
I'm glad you asked!
I'd try these generally in this order...
Method 1.
Get a hammer and preferably a pin punch (about the same diameter as the head of the screw) aswell (you can do it with just a hammer, but you have to be more careful). Give the top of the screw a couple of good hard hits on the top of the head. This will 'jarr' the screw and can break the lock on the thread, which (It might surprise you..) makes a crazy amount of difference. After you've done that, give it another go.
This works especially good on countersunk head screws as the angle on the head of the screw can lock on the countersink (this can happen especially in things that fluctuate a great deal in temperature).
Method 2.
Get a hex socket and a ratchet. This moves the pivot point directly over inline with the centreline of the screw (fixes the problem you have with an allen key). This means you don't put axial load on the tool and all the force twists the bolt.. To a large extent.
You can use a 'T' bar allen key (if you have the room). This fixes that issue aswell and also means you're putting force on it in both directions, which evens it out and stops you pushing it over in the head.
You can also use a cut off piece of allen key and a spanner or ratchet spanner. Great tip for if you're restricted for room and once again, eliminates the issues stated above..
Method 3.
If you can, try some heat. Heat the head up with an oxy. Don't get it glowing hot (you'll soften the head) and i wouldn't suggest this method without some physical guidance if you're not very confident with one. You also have to be careful where and what you're doing this on..
Ok, so i was silly, didn't read this first. The head is stripped. I've made a mess of it..
Is there still some kind of hex left in the head?
Yes!
Ok, you're in luck! Get a hammer and a pin punch, or just a hammer (easier with a pin punch though). Beat the snot out of the top of the head and peen it over a bit. Grab either a T bar allen key, a hex socket or a piece of cut off allen key (last choice, they're hard to pull back out sometimes) and hammer it back into the hex. Give that a go at undoing it. You should be able to get it undone.
No! (Or you did have but the above didn't work)
Gees, nice work!
Here's a few things you can try..
1. Vice grips (preferably with radiused jaws). Put them around the head and do them up to the point that you can only just close them. Try and undo the bolt with them.
2. Get an imperial allen key or allen socket slightly bigger than the metric one (or vise versa) and beat the thing into the head of the screw. Give that a go. (I haven't had great success this way)
3. Drill the head off. I don't like having to do this but sometimes it comes to it. If it's a high tensile bolt, try not to spin the drill too fast and use a lubricant. Considering you're probably doing this in your shed or such, any oil will do really.. Motor oil isn't half bad.
4. Cut the head off with an angle grinder (It's getting worse isn't it?). Only do this as an absolute last resort. I wouldn't advise it, but sometimes you have to. Be very careful doing this that you don't damage the face of the part the screw is attaching.
5. Blow the head off with the Oxy. Using a cutting tip, blow the head off. You can usually do this without doing much damage to the surrounding parts, but it takes skill and not something to attempt first time without some assistance.
I hope this helps some of you first timers out. Remember, if it starts to go.. STOP! And try one of these suggestions.
I've been asked on a number of occasions how to remove a bolt, particularly an Allen/inhex/socket (Whatever name you choose to use..) bolt/screw, so i figured i'd give some good tips and suggestions to help out. Most of these tips will also work for double hex/multi point socket head screws..
Allen keys aren't as good as you think...
Allen head screws are a very, very good screw, but, unfortunately, traditional allen keys don't do them a lot of good.
In most cases, allen keys are fine. However, if you get a screw that is rather tight, you can strip the head of it easily swinging off an allen key. This is because the bend radius on the key makes the pivot point of the allen key lower than the centreline of the screw. Because you are putting the force in one direction, it tends to "push the allen key over" as you are trying to twist the screw. What this does is splay the top of the head of the screw as it pushes it out.
When this starts to happen.. STOP! Don't try and keep going. It's not going to give and you're going to bugger the head of the screw.
Ok, so what can i do now??
I'm glad you asked!
I'd try these generally in this order...
Method 1.
Get a hammer and preferably a pin punch (about the same diameter as the head of the screw) aswell (you can do it with just a hammer, but you have to be more careful). Give the top of the screw a couple of good hard hits on the top of the head. This will 'jarr' the screw and can break the lock on the thread, which (It might surprise you..) makes a crazy amount of difference. After you've done that, give it another go.
This works especially good on countersunk head screws as the angle on the head of the screw can lock on the countersink (this can happen especially in things that fluctuate a great deal in temperature).
Method 2.
Get a hex socket and a ratchet. This moves the pivot point directly over inline with the centreline of the screw (fixes the problem you have with an allen key). This means you don't put axial load on the tool and all the force twists the bolt.. To a large extent.
You can use a 'T' bar allen key (if you have the room). This fixes that issue aswell and also means you're putting force on it in both directions, which evens it out and stops you pushing it over in the head.
You can also use a cut off piece of allen key and a spanner or ratchet spanner. Great tip for if you're restricted for room and once again, eliminates the issues stated above..
Method 3.
If you can, try some heat. Heat the head up with an oxy. Don't get it glowing hot (you'll soften the head) and i wouldn't suggest this method without some physical guidance if you're not very confident with one. You also have to be careful where and what you're doing this on..
Ok, so i was silly, didn't read this first. The head is stripped. I've made a mess of it..
Is there still some kind of hex left in the head?
Yes!
Ok, you're in luck! Get a hammer and a pin punch, or just a hammer (easier with a pin punch though). Beat the snot out of the top of the head and peen it over a bit. Grab either a T bar allen key, a hex socket or a piece of cut off allen key (last choice, they're hard to pull back out sometimes) and hammer it back into the hex. Give that a go at undoing it. You should be able to get it undone.
No! (Or you did have but the above didn't work)
Gees, nice work!
Here's a few things you can try..
1. Vice grips (preferably with radiused jaws). Put them around the head and do them up to the point that you can only just close them. Try and undo the bolt with them.
2. Get an imperial allen key or allen socket slightly bigger than the metric one (or vise versa) and beat the thing into the head of the screw. Give that a go. (I haven't had great success this way)
3. Drill the head off. I don't like having to do this but sometimes it comes to it. If it's a high tensile bolt, try not to spin the drill too fast and use a lubricant. Considering you're probably doing this in your shed or such, any oil will do really.. Motor oil isn't half bad.
4. Cut the head off with an angle grinder (It's getting worse isn't it?). Only do this as an absolute last resort. I wouldn't advise it, but sometimes you have to. Be very careful doing this that you don't damage the face of the part the screw is attaching.
5. Blow the head off with the Oxy. Using a cutting tip, blow the head off. You can usually do this without doing much damage to the surrounding parts, but it takes skill and not something to attempt first time without some assistance.
I hope this helps some of you first timers out. Remember, if it starts to go.. STOP! And try one of these suggestions.
(or should I say rotary tool since mine is a cheap knock off).
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