Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set Recommendation

[H.m.B]

I'm looking to buy a good gunsmithing screwdriver set and found the Wheeler Engineering 89-Piece Professional-Plus Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set on the Midway USA site for $62.99. Anyone use this set and is it a good deal? Would you recommend it? If not, what would you recommend? I am looking for a quality set that will last.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[X-Rap]

Your on the right track there, mine is from Brownells but that one looks to be a good set too.

 

[lightman]

I also have the Brownells set. They were about the only game in town, back then. The Wheeler set looks good, but I have not seen one yet. Either should serve you well. Lightman

 

[rcmodel]

I am not sure whether Wheeler sells replacement bits separately.

But Brownells does.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...a-tip-sets/magna-tip-super-sets--prod417.aspx

As far as that goes, the Chapman set will do about anything you need to do.
It's what I use.
They sell replacement bits too.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...sets/deluxe-gun-screwdriver-set-prod4979.aspx

rc

 

[Drail]

Everyone I know that bought the Wheeler hated it. The bits are considerably softer than most screws. They're like - disposable. Chapman or Brownells are the best sets for the money.

 

[Haxby]

The Chapman set that I have looks like the one linked above. It is not worth whatever I paid for it.

 

[zoom6zoom]

I've been using my Brownells kit for twenty five years. I think it's been worth the money.

 

[rcmodel]

The Chapman set that I have looks like the one linked above. It is not worth whatever I paid for it.

Would you care to elaborate??

Chapman sells many screwdriver sets, all in the same yellow case, that look like what I posted.

If the bits don't fit gun screws?
Maybe you got a set for working on 55 Chevys, or woodworking, or something?

All I can say is, I have been using them for gunsmith work for about 40 years.
And I have no complaints at all with the quality, bit fit, hardness, or easy replacement of the standard bits if you need to grind down a special size or something.

rc

 

[Haxby]

Sure, I'll elaborate.
I bought a set years ago and still have it. I bought it at a gun shop, from a gunsmith. The box doesn't say anything about Chevys. I bought it because I wanted screwdrivers to fit the screws on my guns. The bits are too short, and the socket they fit into too bulky, to be usable in quite a few applications. And a few of them broke too easily. I still use them, but carefully, and only if I have to.
If I was buying a set now, I'd go with a fixed-blade set.

 

[rcmodel]

I guess results, or techniques may vary, a lot?

I have been perfectly satisfied with my Chapmans, for a lot of guns, and a lot of years.

I even use the hex-adapter in a drill press with the little ratchet wrench to break tight screws loose in old guns that can't be removed any other way.

Seems most of my fixed-blade Gracie type screwdrivers went in the junque box years ago when the wood handles broke, or the blades wore out and couldn't be re-ground anymore.

rc

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

The Chapman bits tend to be be too hard. The Wheeler set is fine and the Brownells are overpriced APEX bits (which are very good).

 

[toivo]

I have the smaller version of the Wheeler set. I'm satisfied with mine -- my only complaint is the more than once I've ended up with bloody knuckles trying to pull a bit out of the case. Sometimes those suckers just don't want to come out.

 

[CLP]

I can't speak to the quality of Chapman but I have a small set of Wheeler bits and a good number of Brownell's Magna-tip bits. I don't use the Wheeler anymore. Once you compare the Magna-tips to the Wheeler you'll notice the difference in quality right away. The Brownell's tips are excellent quality, American made with a lifetime guarantee, and do job perfectly. The Wheeler tips aren't bad, but they don't even come close to the Brownell's tips. I've had a couple of scope mount screws buggered up by the Wheeler's due to design- not because of user error. That was the last time I used them. It's been Brownell's ever since. And eventually, I'm going to splurge on the big set. I'm confident they'll last me the rest of my life.

 

[sleepyone]

I have the same Wheeler set you linked to. Great set!

Everyone I know that bought the Wheeler hated it. The bits are considerably softer than most screws.

Don't agree with them being too soft. Which set of Wheelers did your friends buy? I had gunsmiths recommend the Wheelers.

 

[Drail]

All of the Wheeler sets I have seen were made in China. Every smith I know uses Brownells drivers. They are a big investment but they will hold up. Like RC, I have been using a basic Chapman's set for many years and have never broken or mangled a bit (yet). I have bought quite a few loose bits from the hardware store and ground them to fit what I need for a one time use. You really have to be able to custom grind bits to get a perfect fit. If the fit ain't perfect really bad things can happen. Of course, if the screw was made from cheap steel or has a very shallow slot it won't matter.