Is a 1.5mm hex key and a 1/16" hex key interchangeable?

[Raw Amateur]

Looking on a ruler, my 1.5mm key looks to be 1/16"

The reason I ask is that it looks like I have threaded saddle height screw on the D string of my Classic Stingray 4. My teacher is the only one who has made adjustments to the string heights until today when I tried to make an adjustment. I had a hard time getting purchase, I then managed to lower the string, too much, and now I can't get it back up. Looking down in there I can see that the hexagonal walls are very worn out. EBMM is sending me new screws, but was wondering if it's worth going out and getting a 1/16" key.

I have seen in other threads mention of a metric vs. standard issue.

 

[Raw Amateur]

Looking again, it could be my imagination about the walls. I'm also having a problem moving the other saddles, so maybe 1.5mm does not = 1/16"...

 

[TheFantod]

According to this chart: Invalid Link Removed

1.5 mm is just a hair smaller than 1/16", 3 thousandths of an inch, to be exact.

So the question looms, will a 1/16" wrench strip a 1.5mm nut??? At that tiny size, I'm not sure if I'd want to find out the hard way.

 

[walterw]

no! no no no!

you'll absolutely strip stuff out if you use the wrong key, especially on small stuff under pressure like saddle height screws.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Take your bass to your local hardware store and see if they have both. My local True Value store has both metric and english allen wrenches.

 

[Raw Amateur]

I got a 1/16" key and it works well. The nuts don't appear to be stripped. Thanks for everyone's input. Big sigh of relief here that I don't have to go looking to get the bridge disassembled to replace the nuts. Phew.

 

[abemo]

No issue if the 1/16 is slightly bigger as long as it fits. Using a slightly too small hex key is what would cause the stripping

 

[Steveaux]

If you're willing to spend the price of a Classic Stingray, why not drop a whole $20 on a set of high quality hex keys to maintain it?

 

[geddyfan]

1.5 mm is .055 1/16 is .0625 that's enough difference to be problematic .

 

[Staccato]

Two standards can (perhaps) be found in American toolboxes.

1. Metric (mm)
2. SAE (standard american equivalent)

Although some will be close-you've asked if two different standards are identical? Nope...
Most times-when I've tried a tool in the other standard, it's been a no-go.

 

[Smilodon]

A 1,5mm key works well for saddle adjustment IF you loosen the strings first. With the string at full tension there is too much load, and you may strip the screw.