Gunsmithing Screwdrivers

[Coronach]

I'm looking to get going in the area of fixing and fiddling with my own firearms. I have a pretty good set of standard tools (sockets, drills, wrenches, etc) but I am utterly lacking in gunsmith-specific tools. I am aware that one of the #1 purchases needs to be a gunsmith screwdriver set, so as to avoid buggering up the screws.

I saw this and was wondering 1. if this was a good deal and 2. is it overkill?

I'm aware that I can get a basic set for mucho cheaper, but I do like the idea of having a pretty extensive set, so that I don't run into the whole "crap...I gotta order that, make something, or make-do" thing. However...I'm also not exactly thrilled about spending $85 on screwdrivers.

Whaddaya think? How useful is this?

Mike

 

[P95Carry]

Mike - I would say it is probably money well spent. I do not tho know the quality rating on this set - and I mention that cos a buddy has what seems a pretty comprehensive set from somewhere at a good price (just forget exactly what make) but, the bit quality is a tad poor. I forget right now whether they are too soft and distort or too hard and bust!!

I have the Brownells set .. in brown case, handle and bits. I have added a few bits but in no way is it as comprehensive as that Midway set. It does tho cover for most part all I have needed.

Bottom line of course - good precision hollow ground bits are essential ... with a spread of widths and thicknesses ... only way to reduce chance of marring screw heads. I'd be interested to know if anyone else has this set you mention ... considering it's apparent variety of content, that price is in no way excessive. Just the quality angle I'd like to know more about.

 

[Coronach]

Gotcha.

I did a search for Wheeler Engineering here, and came up with a few hits about miscellaneous tools...no mention of their screwdriver set.

Thanks for the 411.

Mike

 

[BenW]

I don't think it's overkill. Like P95, I have the smaller Brownell's set. Since I started fiddling more with milsurps, I always seem to come across a screw that I can't find an exact or very close fit for. In fact just working on one last night, I thought to myself (as I marred a screw) that I might want to look into getting a more extensive set of driver heads.

 

[dfariswheel]

I used the Brownell's set, and still think they're the best.

Brownell's offer a good many extra bits, sold by width and thickness.

One factor is, if you damage or break a bit, Brownell's will replace it FREE.

Another thing I liked was, the Brownell's bit are HARD.
If you over stress a screw, the BIT breaks, not an expensive and hard to replace gun screw.

Also, Brownell's sell several sizes and types or handles.
The ones I used more than any other were the Clip-Tip and Collet type Law Enforcement handles.
The standard handles are too big, and the stubby handles are too short.

 

[Wildalaska]

I have the Brwonells set, all of the gunsmiths at our place also use the Brownells set

WildadvicetothelovelornAlaska

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Nobody is better than Brownells - pays to grind your own as well

Nobody is better than Brownells -

It pays to sometimes grind your own as well - at one time a lot of MAC tool screwdrivers would be reground to fit various gun screws. A decent drill press and vise will do a find job of narrowing and refining bits to fit just so.

 

[JNewell]

I'm going to join the chorus. It took me years to buy the big Brownells set, and I kicked myself for months for not buying it years before. The quality is unbeatable. These bits are really, really hard, so they last, and they don't break and damage screwheads or guns. The sizing is perfect, and perfectly graduated, for guns. I got Santa to put the thin bits add-on set under the tree this Christmas for those old doubles and some Euro guns. I really can't urge you strongly enough -- get the Brownells set, and you will never look back.

 

[Sheldon]

I'll pipe in on the Brownell's set as well. I am still making do with their starter set. As soon as I can afford it I want to get the rest of the set to fill out the rest of that case!!

 

[Sunray]

In the shop I worked in long ago, we used whatever screw driver that was cheap. The "bits" in the sets are designed to break before they bugger a screw head and they're not always easy to replace.
Having said that, the size of the blade is more important than anything else. It must fit the screw. Lots of professional smithies make a lot of their own tools.
If you have a bench grinder you can grind a screwdriver to fit whatever you need it to fit. Handy things those bench grinders. Stone wheels let you sharpen drills, etc. They can take a buffing wheel for trigger work or a fine brass wire wheel for removing light rust too. Use the monsy you're thinking about spending on a screwdriver kit and buy a bench grinder.

 

[JohnBT]

"It took me years to buy the big Brownells set, and I kicked myself for months for not buying it years before"

Me too.

John

 

[shoot870p]

is the Basic set fairly well equipped?

 

[P95Carry]

Basic set is ''adequate'' - with something like 25 maybe assorted bits .... enough to deal with most things. This is including not just slotted but cross-head and some Allen sizes.

I have just added the ''Magna-tip super set add-on pack (080-108-100). This greately extends usefullness because wider selection of each width re blade thickness. Ends up being I guess approx $100 plus investment but - gotta be worth it to keep screws pristine. Wish I had bought mine years ago.

 

[sm]

Agree with Brownells.
I also had the S&W , Colt Scewdrivers as well. Add the various Fore- armwrenches for varous shotguns. I was into shotguns as most know. I also made various tools , say brass punche and such for specific needs. Always been one to either buy good tools and make specific tools as needs arise.

Get a good small vise. IF you can find a "Gravers Ball" that is real handy for some stuff.

That said, ALL of my gunsmithing tools went up in smoke - literally.

I'm getting by with a B- Square set and part of another B- Square...I 'borrowed' bits to make specific tools for the task...Always done that too. Kinda glad these were not with the good tools or guns and stuff that burnt to a crisp...

See that big gray cloud? That is where I am...underneath it that is...

Sigh...steel guns are easier to get serial #'s off of ...the homeowner had some polymer guns...they don't react to fire real well ...FWIW.

 

[RugerNo]

Simply stated, booger the slots on a $500 firearm and turn it into a $250 firearm. Where's the economics in that?

 

[Onmilo]

I have a huge collection of Brownell Magna-Tip handles and bits.
I also own a complete set of their premium fixed shank screwdrivers and am seriously considering buying a full set of Forster Gunsmith screwdrivers.
One can never have too many of these quality tools!

 

[GaryK]

I see a pretty complete B-Square set offered at some of the gunshows in my area for $20.00 or so. I have not tried it but my experience with B-Square products has been excellent.