It's definitely a "save this guitar from the dustbin" idea. It's not something I would suggest if the guitar was more repairable. Somebody put that instrument together, and I hate to see that effort wasted.
Thanks again. I had thought of epoying a piece of 4mm hex rod (cut off from a 4 mm Allen key) into the stripped hex socket. There is a tiny bit of grip The Gripper from Sewmac is an easier first try I had considered along with machining my own taperd hex key. Alterntives are trying a Torx (old trick to loosen stripped Allen/hex sockets) but that is probably only OK for reducing truss rod tension.
Of course the easiest is to do nothing until adjustment is needed. Like I said eartlier, the anal retentive engineer in me may be surfacing. I'm one of those guys that makes sure all the screws in a switch cover in the wall are aligned and every bolt in my car is torqued to spec.
Removing a fretboard, especially one without binding, is not a monstrous task, just needs patience and the goodwill of the Mrs. to use her iron. LOL Having built the Bozo Podunavac clone shown at the start of this string, I may find this less daunting than most. And as I only have $300 into a great sounding Guild which would have sold for more without this issue, it is likely worth it.
I really appreicate all of the comments, suggestions and goodwill here. Best for 2024 to all of you!!