Fixing rounded internal hex set screws?

[NeoWeird]

Neo, you are dead on with your analysis. I mentioned what you said to the guy at Fastenal today, and he went searching and found an M3 0.5mm gauge, and sure enough, that's what it was. Should have the screws on Monday. Thanks!

Glad I could help!

I work in a screw shop, so each day I litterally work with a half dozen different screws and see another ten times that. Standard, Acme, Metric, Trapezoid, square, buttress, pipe....oh the pipe screws! BSP, BSPP, NPT, NPTF, etc etc etc.

Anyways, hope you refurb project is a success!

[grymster]

A cheap allen wrench will allow it's corners to round off also. That makes it easier for it to spin in the socket, thereby compounding the problem. One of the guy's here at work swears by these:

Shepherd

[Donut]

Got the new set screws, and a decent 1.5mm hex wrench, and lo and behold, the old screws weren't THAT rounded. The hex hey I was using before was the problem. Oh well, now I have nice stainless screws in the turrets, and a bag of 94 extras. LOL