Hi guys, This is a little embarrasing but I have no idea what to do, this little bolt has been stuck [(wont turn - head is stripped out) for a few months and now it’s starting to become problematic since I would like to tight the other bolts, tighten the belt and clean a little bit.
Any idea how to fix this? Any of the tools that came with the machine or my screwdriver was able to solve this. Thank you very much.
I’m not sure I understand what’s actually happening…but if you have a bolt that wont turn, try dripping a few drops of Coke on it and let sit for a few minutes and then turn it. I swore off Coke the first time I did this. EDIT: That’s capital “C” Coke…Coca cola.
But I believe the problem is because I can get a good grip to turn it… Like if the hole was a little bigger than normal.
the hex head is stripped out?
Yes, now is a little bit round.
Get an EZ out?
Since the screw is basically trash at this point, I vote use a dremmel with a wheel on it and cut a slot crossways in it and use a normal screwdriver on it.
Depending on your selection of tools, you may already have a flathead screwdriver that fits into it tightly. If you’ve got one that wedges in nicely corner to corner in the hexagon, that can give it enough stank to get the thing loose.
I’ve had success by grinding the sides of a throwaway screwdriver and (gently) hammering it into the stripped hex head. Also, a torx bit will sometimes fit…
Or
Assuming that the bolt is stuck due to the clamping force, you could just carefully drill the head off it to release the steel belt clamp and then use mole grips or similar on the remains to extract them once the tension is gone.
That does present the risk of it not coming out without a stud extractor but it’s an option.
Whatever you choose to do, it’s worth putting some penetrating oil on the thread first (this is the only thing WD40 is actually good for) to help the steel bolt let go of the Aluminium rail.
This works.
The torx bit, gently hammered in can work too.
What is that screw doing anyway?
If you are using a ball end allen wrench get a straight allen wrench and try to turn it. If you can get it out then replace it. Ball end allen wrenches have very little contact and can strip out on small screws. As others suggested a slot cut will help you remove it if a straight allen does not do the trick.
My 2 Cents 
I have the greatest little 4" vise grips with great little sharp teeth. I can bit into the sides of the head and turn it out. 9 times out of 10 this works for me
I have used heavy sharp cutters to come from above and to bit into either side and twist to turn it out.
I have used a Dremel to cut a slot for a flat screwdriver.
I have used a small hacksaw to cut a slot
I have easy out bits but they are still in the package
And worst case I drill it out with a smaller drill bit. hopefully I can get it out with threads intact and if not then I am tapping it.
My machine does not have that screw, do you need it, ?
Best of luck
THIS (slot) then replace every shiny (SOFT Stainless Steel) screw with a nice hard grade 8 STEEL screw. I got SO tired of this happening…6+ years ago…designers and their pretty non-functional designs…sigh…Sorry Ed…(not sorry)
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