Help With Smithin' Tools Please...

[sm]

I have a Gun Screw Driver Kit( No. 9600) made by Chapman Mfg. , Late 70's / early 80's. I need to replace the no. "90" and "26" hollow ground screwdriver bit.

Also, need a smaller Torx than a T-8, prefer a bit that might work in my Chapman or 1/4" nutdriver ( need to swap ends on a clip on a knife-itty-bitty Torx and T-8 too big).

I didn't find a listing for Chapman in doing a search, IIRC they were /are in Conn. I can't find my hard copy records...and my favorites I saved didn't have this one ( and others....arrgh).

If something that will fit is easier to secure...great.

 

[Traveler]

All of the Brownells bits are interchangeable, as are most commercial bits. I'd go with the commercial for the Torx because they are easier to get as a single item.

 

[dfariswheel]

One nice thing about interchangeable screwdriver bits, is that they all interchange between brands.

So, I'd suggest buying my screwdriver bits from Brownell's for several reasons.
Brownell's make the best gun-specific bits there are, and their bits will be replaced FREE if they get broken.
They offer a very wide variety of sizes, in both width and thickness. Instead of having to grind a bit to fit a screw, one of Brownell's bits will be a perfect fit on all most any screw.

Their bits won't fit into the Chapman box, and will tend to slide through the flat ratchet Chapman handle.
For this reason, I'd suggest converting over to Brownell's a few bits at a time. Instead of biting the bullet and buying an entire set in one splurge, you can buy a plastic Brownell's box and buy bits as needed.

For Torx, you can buy from Brownell's or go down to the local electronics supply store and get them fairly cheap.
Electronics shops carry the smaller bits like the hard to find #5, and even smaller.

 

[sm]

Thanks for advice. I did find the Chapman Web Site: http://www.toolsplus.com/index.html
( The pc and all I tried first from had a filter...)

Ok, my gunsmith/friend said time to get out of the dark ages and get a new set from Brownell's. I did inquire about Torx < T-8, T-6 still too big...surely smaller available, no luck yet. I've seen this used in phones...somebody has to have.

I may have a pc...still using wooden pencils and cast iron cookware...go easy on me fellas...relic at 48

 

[HankL]

Try McMaster Carr Supply Here. Go to page 2627.

 

[Sunray]

You should be able to get them in any automotive supply place. The stupid Torx head screws are used in a lot of vehicles(head lights mostly) and Compaq computers use them too.

 

[sm]

Thanks for the links and suggestions. I have a friend whom manages a NAPA, smallest they have in a bit is T-8, can get a fixed T- 6. I still need smaller. McMaster looks like the place for the torx.

I cheated.

Since Gunsmith gets a break on price from Brownells, and he had made fun of my antiquated set ( which he gave me sooo long ago) He gets to pick out and give me a new set. He found some stuff in McMaster's he wants, so we'll see.

As I mentioned in original post this is the itty-bitty torx like some knives have clips attached with. Some phones use them too. I figure I'll get these and never have a use for them again. But if ever again someone chooses to change from clip up to clip down ...I'll be tooled up.

Tools, I have tools older than myself and can't buy that quality again. Another truism: no matter what you have , you won't have it and will need to buy another tool.