Rounded allen bolt

Hi all

I have a rounded 5mm allen bolt, can't get grips on it or anything, any ideas as to how it get it out?

Thanks

Cut along the bolt so you can get a flat blade in there or get a punch and punch round the edge

[Spanner Man]

Afternoon all.

Try gently tapping an old spline or Torx bit of the appropriate size into the offending Allen screw. Works for me 9 times out of 10.

Cheers.

Originally Posted by Spanner Man

...Torx bit of the appropriate size into the offending Allen screw. Works for me 9 times out of 10.

+1. Torx or similar bit of a slightly larger size than the round hole, tap in gently.

Or go to halfords and buy an extractor set.

Originally Posted by gettin2dizzy

Or go to halfords and buy an extractor set.

How do these work?

A reverse thread that bites into the bolt head and cuts in to grip as it rotates to 'extract' the offending bolt. A clever and simple gadget

Use the ball end of a ball pein hammer and tap the head of the cap head, then use a brand new 5mm allen key and try and get it out.

Screw extractors need a suitable pilot hole drilling through the bolt head first, so best to try and get it out other ways.

A good release spray is worth its weight in gold, Plusgas rocks (WD 40 is better as a water dispersal and general lubricant than a release agent)

If you need a set of extractors PM me and you can borrow a set.

Mac.........

Originally Posted by mac

Use the ball end of a ball pein hammer and tap the head of the cap head, then use a brand new 5mm allen key and try and get it out.

Screw extractors need a suitable pilot hole drilling through the bolt head first, so best to try and get it out other ways.

A good release spray is worth its weight in gold, Plusgas rocks (WD 40 is better as a water dispersal and general lubricant than a release agent)

If you need a set of extractors PM me and you can borrow a set.

Mac.........

Hi Mac

Thanks, will give it a go and if all else fails may call on you for the extractors.

Cheers

Rob

Originally Posted by mac

Use the ball end of a ball pein hammer and tap the head of the cap head, then use a brand new 5mm allen key and try and get it out.

+1 on that . I use this method to get seriously damaged cap heads out of Battle Tank sights . Another handy thing to have at hand is a set of Imperial sized Allen keys , sometimes one of these will fit a damaged metric cap head . Ball Pein hammer method is also good for shocking the bolt and helping it release the corroded threads , I usually use a pin punch for that method , wont deform the head too much and helps knock the damaged cap head back into a salvageable situation .