Rounded allen cap - (down a hole)

[Peter 1955]

Something a mechanic told me years ago, if you're trying to undo something which you're fearful of damaging/rounding off, use a T-bar central to the head.  This ensures the torsional force is applied along the same axis, and not at an angle, as it would be with say a ratchet or spanner. 

[spudulike]

Yup, a set of easy outs is invaluable plus Sealy do their version which also work. I think most techs will have their own versions - drilling a hole down the sheared bolt/stud is usually the hardest thing to do!

[Stubby]

Just now, Peter 1955 said:

Something a mechanic told me years ago, if you're trying to undo something which you're fearful of damaging/rounding off, use a T-bar central to the head.  This ensures the torsional force is applied along the same axis, and not at an angle, as it would be with say a ratchet or spanner. 

This and tighten it a tad first  before undoing . 

[Peter 1955]

1 hour ago, Stubby said:

This and tighten it a tad first  before undoing . 

Invaluable procedure with woodscrews. Excellent advice. 

[mikerecike]

Mineral Oil Based Grease? better than copper anti sieze for steel bolts into alloy engine parts apparently. Can somebody recommend a named mineral oil based grease that I can buy on Ebay / Amazon pls?  OR is the lithium based grease which I seem to have the most of a better bet than copper for this application? 

Ta.

[Heavy Oil Saw]

We at work and myself at home use ceramic anti seize. Provides a barrier between aluminium and steel and prevents corrosion, if used with heat, the grease burns off and leaves a ceramic powder, allowing easier removal.
Wera and Bondhus hex keys, or any of their tools for fixings are amazing, never had a Wera fail or ruin a head on a fixing.

[mikerecike]

15 hours ago, Heavy Oil Saw said:

We at work and myself at home use ceramic anti seize. Provides a barrier between aluminium and steel and prevents corrosion, if used with heat, the grease burns off and leaves a ceramic powder, allowing easier removal.
Wera and Bondhus hex keys, or any of their tools for fixings are amazing, never had a Wera fail or ruin a head on a fixing.

Cheers for that - just ordered. Yep I have some amazing Wera screwdrivers & my hex & torx keys are Facom (recommended by @Gardenkit years ago  ) - also brill.