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Author Topic: Cheap Screwdrivers  (Read 1276 times)

Offline Hood

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Cheap Screwdrivers
« on: June 30, 2014, 06:46:04 AM »
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

Offline Captchee

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2014, 07:38:17 AM »
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 .

Offline Hood

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2014, 01:16:59 PM »
Thanks again Captchee!
 
I really appreciate your input!

Offline garrettep3

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #3 on: July 14, 2014, 03:05:27 PM »
The set by Wheeler Engineering is top notch. Midway carries them

Offline Buzzard

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2014, 05:09:40 PM »
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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Offline Riley/MN

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2014, 05:37:44 PM »
Quote from: "Buzzard"
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....
~Riley
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Offline Hood

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #6 on: July 18, 2014, 05:25:46 AM »
Thanks for the information!

Offline Three Steps

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Re: Cheap Screwdrivers
« Reply #7 on: April 03, 2015, 09:41:03 AM »
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.