Comments for Allen Key not fitting

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May 13, 2021
by: Tammy

Mike, when you say doesn’t fit, Is it too big or too small.
Set screws are metric, so you need to make sure you have a metric allen wrench for the best fit.
One of the most common problems loosing set screws in any of the bimini top parts using set screws, is the metal that is used to make allen wrench’s. It’s not hard enough to break the grip and the edges of the allen tip round out making it slip while turning.

If this is the case, there are a couple of things you can do.
1. Use penetrating oil in the set screw to help loosen the grip, possibly liquid wrench.
2. Take the tip of the allen wrench and grind it on a grinding wheel leaving the burr that forms on it.
3. Once the penetrating oil has been left to do it’s thing, take a hammer and tap the burred allen wrench into the set screw and turn.

If this doesn’t break the grip after a couple of repeats, then you will have to drill out the set screw and replace the fitting.

If you do have to drill it out, be sure to keep the drill bit cool by oiling the bit and go slowly so the bit dit doesn’t wear out before it can do it’s job. Slow and steady is the key to drilling stainless steel.

Another little trick is stretching a rubber band over the tip of the allen wrench before taping it into the hole. This also can give enough traction to loosen the set screw if it’s not corroded in place.

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