Broke the Ball End of an Allen key off in a bolt

[Cdn_Cuda]

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Oops!
Drilling the only option?

[netsurferdude2]

The hex key is much harder than the bolt. if you try drill it may want to deflect into the bolt. I'd recommend a dremel tool and a carbide bur and remove the bulk of the material that way. Once you get to a certain depth, the rest will probably fall out.


Edit: before you do that, can you use super glue and a stick to try pulling it out?

[Cdn_Cuda]

I like the superglue and stick option. On the end it’s not vital to remove, just annoying. I was going to take the bolt out to clean the rust off. Personally I dislike autotrigger, but this isn’t a keeper.

[Spider!]

You should also try using a pointy punch and knock the ball in the opposite direction. There's usually room for them to rotate and fall out. I may have done that...

[Cdn_Cuda]

Thankfully it doesn’t affect much. Got it Sniper fully apart, fixed the pump stroke and it’s shooting nicely. Don’t want to damage it trying to remove it.

[I-tech]

Wow Cocker Doc was just talking about that happening on YouTube.

[Cdn_Cuda]

First time I’ve had it happen. Broken fairly clean at least, so the rest of the Allen key works.

[JeeperCreeper]

I literally just had this happen yesterday. I was lucky enough it came out with a fine pick and several colorful words. When possible, don't use a ball end to apply torque, it's just for spinning the screw. Also a ball end on anything smaller than 1/8 is just asking for trouble.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I have learned now!

[Psycho91]

My first thought was to throw it in the freezer to see if the metal would shrink a little to help get it out