Gunsmithing Easy fix for removing stripped hex set screw

[want2learn]

Not sure this is gunsmithing in its purest form but for simple guys like me, it was a frustrating problem that i struggled with solving.

I managed to strip the hex contour of a set screw, this despite heating it to make sure there was no residual loctite bond...it was a very tiny set screw deep set in a receiver body.

I did an internet search but most of the tools and techniques advocated were unlikely to fit.

Due to it's location i could not create a notch for a screw driver or chisel to engage. My stripped screw removal tools were much too big to fit. i tried tapping in the hex key hoping it would find some purchase but no such luck.

At this point, I figured best to take a break before i made things worse figuring i would have to call a real gunsmith on Monday.

I let the screw soak overnight in Kroil.

The next day i figured before drilling it out i would try a star drive wrench...they have a bit of a taper and the tool looked somewhat promising in my desperation....bingo, it was so easy, like it was created just for this problem...worked like a charm.

Hope this helps someone.

 

[supercorndogs]

Are you sure the set screw wasn't a Torx head and you were using an allen key mistakenly to start with? Those little Torx fasteners are a mother like that. I am not sure how many times I have done it.

"Star drive wrench" Sounds like something from star wars.

 

[want2learn]

great point, it is a weird name (i had to look up the name to be sure)

at least this time i know that they were all allen head type.....you see the buggered one was from a set of 4...only one was buggered, all the others were definitely allen head. i've got to find some new ones to salvage this thing and get it all back together....can't see waiting at home depot to get in to check. i've no idea what the thread dimensions are. will probably have to wait till after Covid is done.

this is the type of tool i used:

 

[MeasuredResponse]

I got tired of not having the right hex or torq tool so I spent a few hours looking up every size made and just bought them all for my fixit sticks bag. Wiha makes them all. T1 up and hex bits smaller than a hypodermic needle in both std and metric.

 

[Moose]

Wiha makes some really good tools.

 

[1moaoff]

Small allen or hex head set screws are notoriously annoying. The 2 most common problems with the them are a small amount of material at the bottom of the tool pocket that prevents full depth engagement unless cleaned out first. And secondly incorrectly size drivers... metric used in standard, standard used in metric, and cheap out of spec drivers.

Fyi KROIL is the shizzzzznnnnitttttt!

 

[want2learn]

thanks...i bet you're correct, my allen keys were the cheap ones they throw in with all the AR parts that i've collected over the years...i should start investing in some quality tools. lesson learned, it was pretty frustrating.

 

[E. Bryant]

Ah yes, using a Torx bit to remove a stripped hex socket screw. My dad and I figured that one out back when I was in junior high and I buggered up something on my BMX bike. It's certainly a good trick to deploy on the right occasion.

Wiha makes some really good tools.

Yep. I also have some Chapman bits of which I'm rather fond.