Best Screwdriver Set???

[ronto]

I already broke 2 bits on a Wal-Mart gun screwdriver set. I bought them simply because they were there and I needed them at the time. A mistake I hope not to make again. The whole box is heading for the trash can. I've read some reviews about Chapman's breaking also. I don't mind spending money on quality.
In your experience, what is a good set of general purpose screw drivers for working on guns?

I appreciate your input.

 

[ACORN]

I have a set of Grace's I bought Brownells years ago that I like.

 

[rcmodel]

I have been using Chapman for almost 40 years with complete satisfaction.

Probably have only broken a couple in all that time.

But you have to expect to break a very thin hollow-ground & hardened blade on occasion with any brand.

If I were to do it over again, it would still be Chapman, or perhaps that super nice Brownell's complete set with all the accessories for $200 bucks!

rcmodel

 

[dfariswheel]

If you want quality, buy what professional gunsmiths buy: Brownell's Magna-Tip.

These are expensive, especially in the larger size kits, BUT.......

These are the highest quality, hardest, slickest steel drivers made.
The bits come in a huge variety of widths and thicknesses, and they are true gunsmiths drivers.
The bits are HARD. So hard that you can break them if you over-stress the screw, and this is exactly what you want.
It's far better to break a bit then an expensive and often impossible to get gun screw.

Best of all, break a bit and an email to Brownell's will have them send you a replacement FREE.

I recommend buying the Law Enforcement size handle.
The standard handle is too big and unwieldy, the "Stubby" is too short to control.

These really are the very best.
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=417&title=MAGNA-TIP SUPER SETS?

 

[TimT]

have used the Mag Tip set for yrs. now and then picked up a B-Sq. set and like mentioned the real small hollow tips occassionally break or chip. I learned a lesson that some screws will require some heat or some penetrating oil if you know the firearm has not been attended to for some yrs. A soldering iron will suffice then the screws will easily turn, perhaps some loctite has been used prior to the effort or fingernail polish - hard to say but that heat is spot on.

 

[absolute0]

What a timely thread for me

I was thinking about a gunsmith screwdriver set and was considering the set from Wheeler Engineering from Midway. Can anyone comment on the quality of construction and/or useability of the Wheeler set?

 

[spencerhut]

I've got the big Wheeler set, nothing too fancy. But for a hobbyist it works just fine. I have not broken any bits yet, but I've bent one of the very small flat bladed ones. There are several nice to have bits in the set and I like have them all together in a tidy little box on my gun work bench.

 

[phantomak47]

I was asking this same question about a year ago here, I ended up getting a wheeler set from midway and I love it, its a great all around set.

The set from Brownells is good too.