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What are some good screwdrivers for blued guns?
- Thread starter Periphery
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I've been using the Brownells set, long and stuby handles, bunch of mag tipped bits in a box. They have a starter set you can add to over time. I've had it for 20+ years. You want hollow ground. Like most shooters, you're cheap? Head to sears, buy a cheap set for wood screws..... You need the right tool so you don't screw up your stuff, remember that. Buy right the first time.
Golddiggie
NES Member
You can also [easily] find them on Amazon. I have one of the sets and can confirm that they kick ass. These are not cheap sets, but worth every penny.
Big set: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00682RIAY
Last edited:
Rob Boudrie
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The key is to use drivers with parallel blades, not tapered like you find on general purpose (Crafstsman, Home Cheapo, etc.) drivers.
Chapman, Brownells, Midway and Grace all have some nice ones. I like Chapmpan since they are very nice about selling replacement bits at a reasonable price (I once got a "pay this" invoice from them for $0.50, yes fifty cents, which I paid).
The Wheeler toque wrench is very good for tightening scope mounts and rings to the proper level.
Chapman, Brownells, Midway and Grace all have some nice ones. I like Chapmpan since they are very nice about selling replacement bits at a reasonable price (I once got a "pay this" invoice from them for $0.50, yes fifty cents, which I paid).
The Wheeler toque wrench is very good for tightening scope mounts and rings to the proper level.
Billsail
NES Member
Many inexpensive quality sets out there. Make sure they have "hollow ground" blades, and choose the correct size, which means the bit blade needs to match the length and the thickness of the slot in the screw head.
Hollow ground means the blade is straight and parallel, not tapered like a common screwdriver. That's why the sets have so many different size bits.
Hollow ground means the blade is straight and parallel, not tapered like a common screwdriver. That's why the sets have so many different size bits.
And using the right size. most screws are ruined by using a screw driver that is too small.
This exactly. Thickness is every bit as important as width if not more so. That is why the Brownell's set has 6 different thicknesses for each width in most cases. Cheapo sets generally have only one or two thicknesses in each width.
If the blade is too thick, obviously it will not fit the screw, too thin and it will ruin the head of the screw.
If you are going to work on guns that you care about, bite the bullet and spring for one of these sets.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/general-gunsmith-tools/screwdrivers-sets/magna-tip-sets/magna-tip-super-sets--prod417.aspx?avs%7cManufacturer_1=brownells
I have the big Brownells set, but it will not fit all the screws in the gun world.
I pick up old wooden handled screwdrivers in flea markets and grind those to fit specific screws that the kit will not. Hollow grinding is easy with a decently dressed grinding wheel, just take your time, keep the tips cool with lots of water dipping and light passes on the wheel. Make sure to grind each side of the blade equally. I then stamp a number on the wood handle and keep a paper directory taped to the inside of the kit and my custom drivers in a roll up tool bag.
I pick up old wooden handled screwdrivers in flea markets and grind those to fit specific screws that the kit will not. Hollow grinding is easy with a decently dressed grinding wheel, just take your time, keep the tips cool with lots of water dipping and light passes on the wheel. Make sure to grind each side of the blade equally. I then stamp a number on the wood handle and keep a paper directory taped to the inside of the kit and my custom drivers in a roll up tool bag.
I was at Cabela's yesterday and they had several different Wheeler sets ranging from about $30 to $100. For $100 it had what looked like a nice variety of bits/tools.
Aside from "its not made in USA", is there a noticeable difference between Wheeler and something like the Chapman kits?
Aside from "its not made in USA", is there a noticeable difference between Wheeler and something like the Chapman kits?
Both are somewhat limited in screwdriver bits. 8 sizes in the grace set, 12 sizes in the pachmayr set vs 44 screwdriver bit sizes in the Brownells set.
Billsail
NES Member
Here's a nice, inexpensive set at midway. I've had this one for years. Excellent quality.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/429783/b-square-31-piece-professional-gunsmith-screwdriver-set
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/429783/b-square-31-piece-professional-gunsmith-screwdriver-set
Billsail
NES Member
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