Broken allen key screw General problems, solutions, information and advice on fixing to walls of all kinds

[Chris Young]

I'm trying to remove a floating shelf from my wall. The body of the shelf is attached to the bracket with a screw which is turned with an Allen Key. Unfortunately the hole has become rounded off so the Allen Key will not turn the screw.

Any suggestions as to how I might remedy this before I resort to brute force to remove the shelf from the bracket!

Thanks

Chris

[roger196]

You could try
a) aralditing a bolt into the rounded hole.
b) drilling the screw and then use a screw extractor
c) drilling with a left handed drill. The force usually loosens the screw concerned. , try regrinding a rh drill to left hand format.
d) there may be room to cut a slot in the top of the allen screw, then use a normal screwdriver.
e) drill the allen screw to its minor diameter and remove remnants of thread with scriber.
Good luck and let me know how you get on

[Chris Young]

Thanks for your help - drilling with a left hand drill then a bit of brute force got it off the wall