friggen allen keys [Archive]

carlhako

Sep 19, 2006, 09:11 AM

i snapped the engine brace today
http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3372.jpg , i changed from high
speed to low speed went to accelerate and the thing just back flipped
over backwards landing on the engine, was running with no cover and no
roll bar yet :(. I got a dynamite engine brace before i even got the
car as everyone suggests its the first thing that breaks. The brace has
2 screws on the underside and 4 ontop, i managed to get 5/6 off the
last one refuses to come off! The allen key is all twisted up and bent
outa shape friggen screws!

What do you guys suggest, where can i get some decent allan keys?? Ive
tried the hardware store but all they have are cheapo ones, the screw
has a 1/16th head and they have blue thread lock on them. I tried
heating the screw with the soldering iron but it doesnt seem to put any
heat into the screw and i dont want to use a lighter there are lots of
plastic parts around.

I was running the car in the street yesterday and they guy from across
the road came over to check it out, turns out he has a stampede by
traxxas we were going to take them down to the bmx track tomorrow.

Ill chuck the lst into the car tomorrow and drop into the lhs on the
way home from work see if they can take it out/supply me with a decent
1/16th and still take it to the bmx track

http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/ - for a few other random pics

DanTXD

Sep 19, 2006, 11:11 AM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158670433.808337.71950@b28g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>i snapped the engine brace today
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3372.jpg , i changed from high
> speed to low speed went to accelerate and the thing just back flipped
> over backwards landing on the engine, was running with no cover and no
> roll bar yet :(. I got a dynamite engine brace before i even got the
> car as everyone suggests its the first thing that breaks. The brace has
> 2 screws on the underside and 4 ontop, i managed to get 5/6 off the
> last one refuses to come off! The allen key is all twisted up and bent
> outa shape friggen screws!
>
> What do you guys suggest, where can i get some decent allan keys?? Ive
> tried the hardware store but all they have are cheapo ones, the screw
> has a 1/16th head and they have blue thread lock on them. I tried
> heating the screw with the soldering iron but it doesnt seem to put any
> heat into the screw and i dont want to use a lighter there are lots of
> plastic parts around.
>
> I was running the car in the street yesterday and they guy from across
> the road came over to check it out, turns out he has a stampede by
> traxxas we were going to take them down to the bmx track tomorrow.
>
> Ill chuck the lst into the car tomorrow and drop into the lhs on the
> way home from work see if they can take it out/supply me with a decent
> 1/16th and still take it to the bmx track
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/ - for a few other random pics
>

Yup, the damn things are so annoying aren't they? My best ever RC buy was a
Hudy 2.5mm one www.topoptions.com sell them, they're not cheap at £8 a piece
mind you, but they are so, so handy.

--
Dan - on his PC

DanTXD

Sep 19, 2006, 11:11 AM

"DanTXD" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:4nab0nF9hb6tU1@individual.net...
> "carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1158670433.808337.71950@b28g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>>i snapped the engine brace today
>> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3372.jpg , i changed from high
>> speed to low speed went to accelerate and the thing just back flipped
>> over backwards landing on the engine, was running with no cover and no
>> roll bar yet :(. I got a dynamite engine brace before i even got the
>> car as everyone suggests its the first thing that breaks. The brace has
>> 2 screws on the underside and 4 ontop, i managed to get 5/6 off the
>> last one refuses to come off! The allen key is all twisted up and bent
>> outa shape friggen screws!
>>
>> What do you guys suggest, where can i get some decent allan keys?? Ive
>> tried the hardware store but all they have are cheapo ones, the screw
>> has a 1/16th head and they have blue thread lock on them. I tried
>> heating the screw with the soldering iron but it doesnt seem to put any
>> heat into the screw and i dont want to use a lighter there are lots of
>> plastic parts around.
>>
>> I was running the car in the street yesterday and they guy from across
>> the road came over to check it out, turns out he has a stampede by
>> traxxas we were going to take them down to the bmx track tomorrow.
>>
>> Ill chuck the lst into the car tomorrow and drop into the lhs on the
>> way home from work see if they can take it out/supply me with a decent
>> 1/16th and still take it to the bmx track
>>
>> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/ - for a few other random pics
>>
>
> Yup, the damn things are so annoying aren't they? My best ever RC buy was
> a Hudy 2.5mm one www.topoptions.com sell them, they're not cheap at £8 a
> piece mind you, but they are so, so handy.
>

Oh just checked the site and they don't seem to sell them anymore. Still,
good quality hex drivers are, IMHO, worth every penny.

--
Dan - on his PC

Justin Mahn

Sep 19, 2006, 05:11 PM

DanTXD wrote:
> "DanTXD" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
> news:4nab0nF9hb6tU1@individual.net...
>> "carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1158670433.808337.71950@b28g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
>>> i snapped the engine brace today
>>> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3372.jpg , i changed from high
>>> speed to low speed went to accelerate and the thing just back flipped
>>> over backwards landing on the engine, was running with no cover and no
>>> roll bar yet :(. I got a dynamite engine brace before i even got the
>>> car as everyone suggests its the first thing that breaks. The brace has
>>> 2 screws on the underside and 4 ontop, i managed to get 5/6 off the
>>> last one refuses to come off! The allen key is all twisted up and bent
>>> outa shape friggen screws!
>>>
>>> What do you guys suggest, where can i get some decent allan keys?? Ive
>>> tried the hardware store but all they have are cheapo ones, the screw
>>> has a 1/16th head and they have blue thread lock on them. I tried
>>> heating the screw with the soldering iron but it doesnt seem to put any
>>> heat into the screw and i dont want to use a lighter there are lots of
>>> plastic parts around.
>>>
>>> I was running the car in the street yesterday and they guy from across
>>> the road came over to check it out, turns out he has a stampede by
>>> traxxas we were going to take them down to the bmx track tomorrow.
>>>
>>> Ill chuck the lst into the car tomorrow and drop into the lhs on the
>>> way home from work see if they can take it out/supply me with a decent
>>> 1/16th and still take it to the bmx track
>>>
>>> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/ - for a few other random pics
>>>
>> Yup, the damn things are so annoying aren't they? My best ever RC buy was
>> a Hudy 2.5mm one www.topoptions.com sell them, they're not cheap at £8 a
>> piece mind you, but they are so, so handy.
>>
>
> Oh just checked the site and they don't seem to sell them anymore. Still,
> good quality hex drivers are, IMHO, worth every penny.
>
slot the offending hex screw with a dremel, and back it out with a
flathead screwdriver. Oh and I'm 2nding the high quality hex driver
advice. On the other hand, the black hex driver packs at the hardware
store aren't nearly as soft as the ones that came with the kit. Final
cheapo option is to dremel the end off of the twisted hex driver to use
the pristine hex furthur up the shaft.

--
Justin Mahn

DanTXD

Sep 19, 2006, 07:11 PM

"Justin Mahn" <justinmahn@cox.net> wrote in message
news:AaYPg.21803$xk3.537@dukeread07...
> DanTXD wrote:
>>> Yup, the damn things are so annoying aren't they? My best ever RC buy
>>> was a Hudy 2.5mm one www.topoptions.com sell them, they're not cheap at
>>> £8 a piece mind you, but they are so, so handy.
>>>
>>
>> Oh just checked the site and they don't seem to sell them anymore.
>> Still, good quality hex drivers are, IMHO, worth every penny.
>>
> slot the offending hex screw with a dremel, and back it out with a
> flathead screwdriver. Oh and I'm 2nding the high quality hex driver
> advice. On the other hand, the black hex driver packs at the hardware
> store aren't nearly as soft as the ones that came with the kit. Final
> cheapo option is to dremel the end off of the twisted hex driver to use
> the pristine hex furthur up the shaft.
>

Yup, I've done both of things before myself as well :)

--
Dan - on his PC

carlhako

Sep 19, 2006, 07:11 PM

> slot the offending hex screw with a dremel, and back it out with a
> flathead screwdriver. Oh and I'm 2nding the high quality hex driver
> advice. On the other hand, the black hex driver packs at the hardware
> store aren't nearly as soft as the ones that came with the kit. Final
> cheapo option is to dremel the end off of the twisted hex driver to use
> the pristine hex furthur up the shaft.
>
> --
> Justin Mahn

I tried the black hex drivers from the hardware store i got the ones
that said they were made of some special high strenth steel but they
twisted up easier then the ones that came with the truck and also didnt
fit the screw as well. The top of the hex driver still fits the screw
just the whole thing is all twisted up i try to undo the screw turning
the hex driver/allen key with a pair of pliers. Ill see if the lhs has
something that can undo it

ok will see if i can get a hudy 2.5mm

\Doc\

Sep 19, 2006, 11:11 PM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158699602.023227.53160@i42g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>> slot the offending hex screw with a dremel, and back it out with a
>> flathead screwdriver. Oh and I'm 2nding the high quality hex driver
>> advice. On the other hand, the black hex driver packs at the hardware
>> store aren't nearly as soft as the ones that came with the kit. Final
>> cheapo option is to dremel the end off of the twisted hex driver to use
>> the pristine hex furthur up the shaft.
>>
>> --
>> Justin Mahn
>
>
> I tried the black hex drivers from the hardware store i got the ones
> that said they were made of some special high strenth steel but they
> twisted up easier then the ones that came with the truck and also didnt
> fit the screw as well. The top of the hex driver still fits the screw
> just the whole thing is all twisted up i try to undo the screw turning
> the hex driver/allen key with a pair of pliers. Ill see if the lhs has
> something that can undo it
>
> ok will see if i can get a hudy 2.5mm

Buy a Dremmel or other rotary tool. You will LOVE it and use it more in
this hobby than any other. I'd be a mess without my Dremmel. Using the
cut-off wheel, as Justin suggested, slot the hex screw so you in effect make
it a slotted screw, then use a flathead screwdriver to get it out. Worst
case scenario, if the screw still won't come out and it's a button head
screw (top of screw is not flat with surface but elevated, use the Dremmel's
grinding wheel to grind the top right off and pull the piece off, then use a
pair of small vice grips on the part of the screw sticking out and back it
out that way.

You will not regret buying a Dremmel. If you do after 6 months, I'll pay
for it! I use it for everything: busted screw removal, trimming bodies,
sanding the chrome off wheels before gluing, etc.

Doc

carlhako

Sep 20, 2006, 01:11 AM

This screw is flush with the frame, what would you do in this scenario.
to cut a grove into the top to attack it with a flat head screwdriver
would also meen cutting into the frame.

I shall get a dremel :) ive been meening to get one anyway now ive got
a good excuse

M78Ultra

Sep 20, 2006, 01:11 AM

If the screw is not stripped/rounded and your hex keys ends are not
rounded... with the allen key inserted. tightly put a pair of vise grips on
the allen key fairly close to the screw.(Rotate grips counter-clockwise)
Either it will come out, the hex key will round or the screw hex will round.
If the screw hex rounds, you don't have many options..the main one being
what others have said..(slot the screw)

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158724267.914036.13730@m7g2000cwm.googlegrou ps.com...
> This screw is flush with the frame, what would you do in this scenario.
> to cut a grove into the top to attack it with a flat head screwdriver
> would also meen cutting into the frame.
>
> I shall get a dremel :) ive been meening to get one anyway now ive got
> a good excuse
>

Dre

Sep 20, 2006, 01:11 AM

Justin Mahn

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

carlhako wrote:
> This screw is flush with the frame, what would you do in this scenario.
> to cut a grove into the top to attack it with a flat head screwdriver
> would also meen cutting into the frame.
>
> I shall get a dremel :) ive been meening to get one anyway now ive got
> a good excuse
>
Use the smaller disk on the dremel you'll buy or borrow, and slotting
the chassis is unnecessary with a steady hand. On the other hand, a
small bit of slotting on the chassis will not affect the performance in
the least.

--
Justin Mahn

Richard

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158724267.914036.13730@m7g2000cwm.googlegrou ps.com...
> This screw is flush with the frame, what would you do in this scenario.
> to cut a grove into the top to attack it with a flat head screwdriver
> would also meen cutting into the frame.
>
> I shall get a dremel :) ive been meening to get one anyway now ive got
> a good excuse
>

Have you tried removing that bottom plate that the broken piece is still
attached to? You may be able to remove the allenhead by rotating the broken
piece and using the allen key to hold it in place.

If worse comes to worse buy the dremel anyway and use the cutting tool to
cut the broken piece off and replace the screw. It sounds like you might
have to replace the screw regardless and your not going to use the mount
again.

I use my dremel for everything not just RC but its also good for trimming
new bodies, tyre cutting, engraving, making parts a little more light weight
or just for polishing the scratches out of the head you just scratched. :-)

Cheers

carlhako

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

> I've had (limited depending on how hard the screw is, allen bolts are
> usually hardened) success drilling the head of the screw out. Since its a
> hex, the drill bit centers pretty well. This way stops any slots cut into
> the chassis when using a dremel.
>
> HTH
>
> Cheers Dre

I would prefer this as i have a set of good quality drill bits, worth
more than the drill. If i drill the head off im guessing the brace
should then be able to be pulled out.

The only problem that leaves me with is i need a replacement screw i
have a set i bought off ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&item=230019459713&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
but the screws are a tiny bit bigger, they are a very tight fit.

To make it worse i bought a set of allen keys frmo the hardware store
the guy recons it would remove the screw no worries, they have a
rounded end.. well DID have a rounded end, that end is now stuck in the
head of the screw, it just snapped clean off with a bit of pressure.

DAMB THESE HEX SCREWS WITH TINY HEADS!!!!

Dre

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158732010.075906.167370@k70g2000cwa.googlegr oups.com...
>> I've had (limited depending on how hard the screw is, allen bolts are
>> usually hardened) success drilling the head of the screw out. Since its
>> a
>> hex, the drill bit centers pretty well. This way stops any slots cut
>> into
>> the chassis when using a dremel.
>>
>> HTH
>>
>> Cheers Dre
>
> I would prefer this as i have a set of good quality drill bits, worth
> more than the drill. If i drill the head off im guessing the brace
> should then be able to be pulled out.

Yep, and if you pull *and* wiggle on the bracket back and forth I'm sure the
bolt will pull through the hole easy as pie!

> The only problem that leaves me with is i need a replacement screw i
> have a set i bought off ebay
> http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&item=230019459713&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
> but the screws are a tiny bit bigger, they are a very tight fit.

Hmm, I'm not quite sure I follow. Are the new screws a bit smaller than the
old ones? I dont think that will make any difference. If the new ones are
bigger do they still fit? if they do, no worries :)

> To make it worse i bought a set of allen keys frmo the hardware store
> the guy recons it would remove the screw no worries, they have a
> rounded end.. well DID have a rounded end, that end is now stuck in the
> head of the screw, it just snapped clean off with a bit of pressure.
>
> DAMB THESE HEX SCREWS WITH TINY HEADS!!!!
>

Those rounded hex keys are designed to undo hex bolts on an angle or when
you cant turn the key exactly at in line with the bolt. I certainly
wouldn't heave on them as you have found out :)

If you now have a bit of allen key stuck in the hex, its made the drilling
job a thousand times harder :)

Allen keys are not at all soft so you might be drilling for a while, plus
you've lost your guide!

You could try a punch, punch a dent into the allen key, then drill like
buggery?

Cheers Dre

Dre

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

carlhako

Sep 20, 2006, 03:11 AM

lol i was going to but i left my camera plugged into pc which means the
camera stays turned on and the batteries are flat. they are charging

but its too late ive started drilling with bad luck so far, that tiny
bit of allen key in there is very tough metal the drill bit cant get
through it, instead its mincing up the rest of the screw. I think ill
have it soon just grinding bits away at a time

carlhako

Sep 20, 2006, 07:11 AM

got it out!

after drilling for a while i gave up nothing was happening, i got a
pair of vice grips and twisted the bottom of the engine brace that
broke the thread lock loose, i then used a flat head screw driver that
kinda fited into my drill holes to hold the screw while i twisted the
engine mount bit at a time. Got the new one, im about to remount the
engine

ill post some pics soon once batteries are charged

carlhako

Sep 20, 2006, 07:11 AM

ok here are some pics, ive left them the same res as my camera takes em

http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3376.jpg
you can see the different size tip on the screw i had to replace
i managed to get it to fit by puting the new brace into a vice and
screwing a screw in and back out easing it in bit at a time eventually
i got it all the way through

http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3378.jpg
can see the screw and broken mount and the beers that had to be drunk
to supply energy to do the work :)

http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3379.jpg
new mount

going to the bmx track sunday now, ill get a tank of fuel thru the
engine tomorrow morning tho ive got the morning off :)

i get married the following w/e the 30th!

DanTXD

Sep 20, 2006, 01:11 PM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158746070.426587.322520@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> ok here are some pics, ive left them the same res as my camera takes em
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3376.jpg
> you can see the different size tip on the screw i had to replace
> i managed to get it to fit by puting the new brace into a vice and
> screwing a screw in and back out easing it in bit at a time eventually
> i got it all the way through
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3378.jpg
> can see the screw and broken mount and the beers that had to be drunk
> to supply energy to do the work :)
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3379.jpg
> new mount
>
> going to the bmx track sunday now, ill get a tank of fuel thru the
> engine tomorrow morning tho ive got the morning off :)
>
> i get married the following w/e the 30th!
>

All sorted now then :-) Good man. Get it out there and get it beaten to a
pulp ;-) I might take the Revo out later...

--
Dan

Dre

Sep 20, 2006, 09:11 PM

"carlhako" <carlhako@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1158746070.426587.322520@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> ok here are some pics, ive left them the same res as my camera takes em
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3376.jpg
> you can see the different size tip on the screw i had to replace
> i managed to get it to fit by puting the new brace into a vice and
> screwing a screw in and back out easing it in bit at a time eventually
> i got it all the way through
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3378.jpg
> can see the screw and broken mount and the beers that had to be drunk
> to supply energy to do the work :)
>
> http://www.users.on.net/~annecarl/IMG_3379.jpg
> new mount
>
> going to the bmx track sunday now, ill get a tank of fuel thru the
> engine tomorrow morning tho ive got the morning off :)
>
> i get married the following w/e the 30th!
>

Good stuff. Yep, allen keys are hard as hell, hence why I said 1000 times
harder with the bit stuck in the hole :)

Now you can get it out there and let it loose!

Cheers Dre

carlhako

Sep 21, 2006, 09:11 AM

I got me a dremel today
it has a nifty flexable shaft to get into hard to reach places. im off
to go dremel some stuff :P

olmod

Sep 21, 2006, 09:33 AM

After playing around tool making for years the only keys worth having are the genuine UNBREAKO brand you wont regret buying them ;)

\Doc\

Sep 21, 2006, 05:11 PM

"olmod" <olmod.2ehpwb@rcgroups.com> wrote in message
news:olmod.2ehpwb@rcgroups.com...
>
> After playing around tool making for years the only keys worth having
> are the genuine UNBREAKO brand you wont regret buying them ;)
>
>
> --
> olmod
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> olmod's Profile: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=30611
> View this thread: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=571774

Unbreako eh? That has inspired me. I shall market a new brand of beer
called "Getdrunko." <g>

Doc