4-40 Button Head screw hex key striped

[seym56]

I accidentally striped the hex slot on the 4-40 button head and now I can't get the Activation box off the hilt. I tried to drill the slot out so I could use a tap to back it out but my tap wasn't small enough. I then tried to use epoxy and that didn't work. Any ideas to get it lose would be appreciated.

[DarthFender]

screw extractor.... it has reversed thread kinda like an auger as it digs into the screw it i will back it out. Should be a few bucks at your local hardware store.

[seym56]

Thanks for the reply but I ended up using a bigger drill bit and I eventually broke the head off (as well as a few drill bits). At which point I was able to grip the screw in a pair of pliers and got it out.

[seym56]

Also I called it a Tap but I meant a screw extractor. The one I had was to big. I was actually drilling a bigger hole to fit the one I had when the head broke off.

[Askew Wai]

Thank you DarthFender. I have the same issue so this gives me hope. I tried dremmeling a slot in the screw head for a regular screwdriver but I lacked finesse.

[seym56]

I was also thinking of putting a slot in it but I don't have the right tool for my dremmel.

[Greenie]

I was also thinking of putting a slot in it but I don't have the right tool for my dremmel.

What about a junior hacksaw or a precision file?

[seym56]

I never even thought of using my hack saw for the slot.

[Greenie]

Go steady. You don't wanna scuff the activation box

[seym56]

As I said above I was able to fix it by breaking the head off with my drill bit. I have since just been brain storming ideas in case any one else has this issue.