Rounded my truss rod head..help!

[richiek65]

Tried to tweak my Squier's truss rod today, only managed a small amount of movement before it got real tight.. Decided to gently push on but unfortunately the hex head gave way and I can't get any more movement in either direction, the Allen key just slips in the head of the truss rod..

Any suggestions?

 

[Shuster]

Check this out,,,
(link removed)

 

[Chunkocaster]

Maybe you could glue a cut down hex head in the hole with metal to metal glue and use a socket on it? It wont look the best but might get it working.

 

[richiek65]

They

Check this out,,,
(link removed)

4mm version only in straight shaft type, think I'll need the right angle version for leverage?

Edit: just watched the video on StewMac, the straight shaft version should be fine

Little bit pricey once shipping included, I might try the method described above by Chunkocaster if I work up the bravery.. this is a very cheap guitar project that I don't really want to throw too much more money at, though I am looking at a Korean Squier neck with Gotohs on eBay down here that is reasonably priced.. Then I could fix the current neck at my leisure and on sell it to recoup some cost?

 

[charlie chitlin]

I would use a left-handed drill bit and walk it out.
Recently, on another application, I put a drill bit in a vice, gave it a good sharp whack with a hammer, and snapped the end off.
This left me with a rough enough end to bite into and remove a snapped off stud.

 

[richiek65]

I would use a left-handed drill bit and walk it out.
Recently, on another application, I put a drill bit in a vice, gave it a good sharp whack with a hammer, and snapped the end off.
This left me with a rough enough end to bite into and remove a snapped off stud.

Use a larger diameter bit than the 4mm head? Or smaller to get down into the bottom of the socket?

The truss rod is so jammed, not sure this would work, might be last resort though. Left handed drill bit probably similar cost to the Gripper?

 

[Toast]

I've used a 4mm on my American Deluxe Telecaster (2004-2010) truss rod. That was the size that seemed to fit. I don't have any imperial hex keys (yet). I wonder, however, if I'm using the right sized wrench. Maybe the veteran guitar techs can verify the 4mm wrench size for me. Thanks.

 

[TimTam]

I've used a 4mm on my American Deluxe Telecaster (2004-2010) truss rod. That was the size that seemed to fit. I don't have any imperial hex keys (yet). I wonder, however, if I'm using the right sized wrench. Maybe the veteran guitar techs can verify the 4mm wrench size for me. Thanks.

1/8" allen key Fender US (3.18mm)
3/16" allen Fender MIM (4.76mm)
4mm import allen (eg Epiphone, Squier)

 

[richiek65]

Found a better Allen key (the one I was using had a ball end) and I can now get the truss rod to release, but when I now try to tighten it, it won't go past the point I had it to before. Still got some bow in the neck that I need to sort out, I'm wondering if I'm at the limit of thread, or if the nut is binding in the cavity.

 

[Toast]

1/8" allen key Fender US (3.18mm)
3/16" allen Fender MIM (4.76mm)
4mm import allen (eg Epiphone, Squier)

Thanks! I actually have both hex and imperial wrenches, but I can't read the sizes because their stamped in a yellow plastic holder that's impossible for me to read. I also think I might have the imperial wrenches in the metric holder and vice versa. Suffice it to say, I think I might be using a 1/8 imperial wrench which is the correct size, but I took it out of a 4mm holder slot. Anyway, it's all FUBAR, but I think I got the right tool. I need to get organized and get my tools matched up with the right holder thingy. It's all very Mr. Magoo, but I'm fixing it. Mise en place and all that.

 

[Stefanovich]

I did the same thing and ended up taking the fret board off. Not a quick job, but it worked and it was free. While I had it off, I also straightened the neck as it had a twist.

 

[esseff]

I'd try grease and coarse sand or valve grinding paste first. It often fills in the space between worn fastener heads and tooling. I got someone's rounded wheel nut off by doing this.

 

[richiek65]

I did the same thing and ended up taking the fret board off. Not a quick job, but it worked and it was free. While I had it off, I also straightened the neck as it had a twist.

Whoa that's way out of my skill set!

 

[Stefanovich]

It was out of my skill set tot when I did it. Some YouTube videos on fingerboard removals an iron, a palette knife and patience and now it is in my skill set! (and a cheap Chinese start copy that I didn't care if I ruined or not).

 

[Chunkocaster]

Found a better Allen key (the one I was using had a ball end) and I can now get the truss rod to release, but when I now try to tighten it, it won't go past the point I had it to before. Still got some bow in the neck that I need to sort out, I'm wondering if I'm at the limit of thread, or if the nut is binding in the cavity.

I think those ball end keys are for Martins so might be imperial in size.
I had one on the coffee table that always felt sloppy on my partscaster. Only realised it was for my Martin later on then trying to adjust my acoustic.

 

[24 track]

Whoa that's way out of my skill set!

in a lot pf Da Erliwne's videos doing neck repairs and truss rod adjustments , he will loosen the strings then take the hex nut off and lube the threads then replace the hex head and adjust accordingly