Traditional Muzzleloading Association
Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: Hood on June 30, 2014, 06:46:04 AM
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I am looking at buying a set of gun-smithing screwdrivers. I am guessing that I will rarely use these, but would like to have a set so that I don't damage the slot on the head.
So I found some cheap ones (Winchester 51 pc set). Anybody have experience with these cheaper sets or have any recommendations?
Thanks
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yep i have a Winchester set i carry in my shoot box .
While the bits are precision bits , they are rather soft and can be twisted , especially the smaller ones .
Also I found that some of the standard slot bits are not that precision . The handle has a press fit ¼ in ,chuck that the bits fit into and that gets lose rather quick .
The handle is also hollow so as to hold bits ?? Why I don’t know as no gunsmith I know dumps their tools in there . The hollow handle has a cheep , thin plastic screw on cap like something found in the dollar bin. Mine Kept backing off . I finaly super glued it so I wouldn’t lose it .
Frankly its not a very good set . But for most muzzle loading needs , it will work just fine . Past that though and you will need to be real careful so you don’t bugger up what your working on . but it is alot better then trying to use a standard screw driver . That being said , I have had mine for probably ???12-15 years .
For in the shop , I have an old set of wood handled Forster and Grace drivers .
My most recent set I bought a few years ago from Brownells . It’s a Megna -Tip and I really like it .
While it doesn’t have the feel of the Grace drives , it does have a good tight lock up . It does come with a basic bit set which you then can add to if you find you need a specialty size . That saves you from paying 100.00+ for a good full set , when you only need 5-10 different slot heads for most common jobs
As to a recommendation , I would recommend the Megna- tip .
It will cost you a little more , around 30-40.00 when on sale .
However if you ever actually need a good gunsmith driver, you will have the right tool and if you strip out a screw head or slip and gouge a engraved sideplate , you wont be able to blaim anyone but yourself .
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Thanks again Captchee!
I really appreciate your input!
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The set by Wheeler Engineering is top notch. Midway carries them
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I've never been disappointed with my Chapman bits. Most good guns shops can order them or you can go straight to Brownell's. BTW, the more sizes you have, the better.
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BTW, the more sizes you have, the better.
Also the more sizes/bits you have, the harder it is to find a use that you don't have a bit for, but if you are like me, you will find it....
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Thanks for the information!
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A few years late to the post but for new readers. Buy the bits by the handful and grind them to fit with the drum sander on a Dremel tool or on a bench grinder. I wear bits out, regrind or throw away and start over. Some of the old guns had very thin slots and a stuck screw can cost you a couple of bits.