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Post by Delta9 on Aug 6, 2017 16:14:25 GMT
I'm trying to get into my water tank hatch on my well deck, the hatch is secured with 4 large allen key bolts. One of them is rounded off and as a result I can't get in to the bloody tank. Any ideas how to get the bugger out?
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Post by Stumpy on Aug 6, 2017 16:26:29 GMT
The butchers way: Either: A pair of vice grips on the head. Or, a flat screw driver hammered into the hexagons of the allen bolt, and a spanner to turn the screw driver Like this... The engineers way: Drill and tap ( sometimes using a left handed drill bit does da biz) Heat it if you can...it makes all the difference !!
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Post by larkboy on Aug 6, 2017 16:32:34 GMT
That is a bugger! You could try a slightly oversized torx bit, it might knock in and give you enough purchase, failing that you could drill it and use an easy out tool, this has the advantage of just drilling into the bolt, not all the way through so you don't get swarf in your water tank. If this didn't work then you can drill the bolt out with the correct size tapping drill and re-tap the thread and use a new bolt, but you will get swarf in your water tank. One other option would be to weld another bolt on the head of the existing one and you will be able to get a spanner on the second bolt, also the advantage of this method is the heat from welding should help loosen the existing bolt thread.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Aug 6, 2017 16:37:14 GMT
One other option would be to weld another bolt on the head of the existing one and you will be able to get a spanner on the second bolt, also the advantage of this method is the heat from welding should help loosen the existing bolt thread. That's what I would do, although it does of course depend on having access to a welder and electricity to power it.
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Post by faffer on Aug 6, 2017 16:38:31 GMT
If theh are not counter sunk then a slot made in the head and use a screw driver/wrench to do the job.
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Post by Delta9 on Aug 6, 2017 16:42:25 GMT
I can't get vice grips around the head, it is flush with the deck. I will try hammering in a screw driver I think, as it seems like the only way to do it without purchasing any more tools. Think I'm going to have to leave that for another day now. I've been trying to hammer in a slightly larger allen key, but the guy moored next to me has just given me a look of disgust and shut his hatch. The sound echoes through the tank, it's like banging a big steel drum.
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Post by Delta9 on Aug 6, 2017 16:46:40 GMT
Been trying to empty the tank so I can change the valve on the outlet which has stopped functioning, but it is taking an awful long time to empty (I've never fully emptied it before). This has made me somewhat paranoid that there is a hole letting in canal water... I've now pumped most of the water out through the filler hole and my bow is sitting a lot higher than normal. I guess I'll find out if there is a hole if it is back to normal tomorrow or still sitting high.
Bollocks.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 16:52:20 GMT
Two easyish approaches.
Often an imperial size will belt into a rounded metric head and get you out of the shit.
More successful is a torx bit walloped into the head.
Failing that, depending on access you can try mole grips, welding a nut over the Head, drilling, swearing, hammer and chisel to knock the head off. Any of the above usually leaves a bastardised mess that then needs extracting with a degree of skill,cunning and dexterity along with plenty of swearing.
Good luck.
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Post by larkboy on Aug 6, 2017 16:58:57 GMT
One other option would be to weld another bolt on the head of the existing one and you will be able to get a spanner on the second bolt, also the advantage of this method is the heat from welding should help loosen the existing bolt thread. That's what I would do, although it does of course depend on having access to a welder and electricity to power it. As it's part of my job I carry a small 150A inverter welder that you can also use as a scratch T.I.G set (bottle of argon gas permitting 😀) that will just pull a 2.5 diameter rod through our inverter with the engine running. It has got us out of a hole on a couple of occasions. I also have a selection of drills, taps and easy outs I carry for such emergencies.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 17:01:59 GMT
I know this is no help. But whenever I encounter something like this I always have a beer. Doesn't help at all, but I always feel better. Some of the magicians on here will give you meaningful advice. I'll just drink to your eventual success, and how smug you'll feel when you've sorted it Rog
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Post by larkboy on Aug 6, 2017 17:05:48 GMT
I realised a long time ago that being a metalworker/general engineer has many advantages when living on a steel boat....😄
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 17:06:14 GMT
Ha, larkboy covered my points, you can't tell I didn't read all the thread can you..... If they are countersink heads another option is drill out the heads, grind the remains flush, re drill and tap the plate and tank between the existing holes. Lot of arse ache but if it was easy everyone would be doing it
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Post by smileypete on Aug 6, 2017 17:06:39 GMT
A pic of the offending item might help to get more ideas.
If it's only rounded off one way then sometimes tightening a smidge helps to break the seal. Also try soaking a few drops of diesel under the bolt head, not too much though, don't want it inside the tank...
if there's a bigger allen key spare, maybe try filing it down to a very tight fit.
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Post by Delta9 on Aug 6, 2017 17:08:01 GMT
On the bright side: Whilst searching for my pump, I also found my sea searcher magnet which has been missing for a few years. I really need to tidy up my engine room...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 17:09:53 GMT
I'll drink to that Rog
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