Screwdriver recommendation

[Norton Commando]

Does anyone recommend a screwdriver set for working on a variety of BP guns? Or would they be brand specific, requiring several screwdriver sets?

Jason

 

[mykeal]

Any good hollow-ground set will do. Several brands use a single driver with interchangeable bits so you only need to buy what you use, if you know what that is.

I use both Brownell's Magna-Tip basic set and Chapman's No. 8500 set, which are both driver/bit sets. The Chapman's set 'features' bits that fracture before they damage the screw head, so buying some extra bits is a good idea. However, on the good side, it also contains a ratchet handle that really comes in handy at times. You can also buy bits for the ratchet that turn it into a nipple wrench - very handy.

 

[BHP FAN]

Peacemaker Specialists sells a good wood handled one in the Dillon catalog.

 

[Norton Commando]

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone have experience with the Smith and Wesson, six screwdriver set?

 

[BCRider]

I'm not above the idea of further shaping the stock hollow ground bits with a small half round slip stone or similar to get a perfect fit for both width and thickness. A set of snug fitting driver bits dedicated to one gun is a cheap investment in time and cost to ensure that the screws don't get buggered up.

If you don't have a half round stone then a flat stone and a bar of some form to hold the blade level while thinning it down on the stone can be set up to jig the bits and avoid ruining the parallelism of the very tip that goes into the screw.

 

[DuncanSA]

Lots of good stuff available. Personally I like Chapmans.

 

[Texas Moon]

I have the Brownell's Magna-Tip Super Set.
Worth the money.
Gets used on everything(fishing reels, around the house, auto, etc).

 

[ClemBert]

I use the Winchester Screwdriver Set - 31 Piece from Walmart for less than $9. Works great on my BP revolvers.

 

[Norton Commando]

I noticed that the S & W screwdrivers, and perhaps others, have what appears to be the blade thickness stenciled on their shank. For instance, on three of the smaller sizes I've noticed the following: 0.019; 0.024 and 0.030. Do these numbers really represent blade thickness or am I off base here?

 

[wild willy]

I have had the Brownells Magna-tip set for 30 years.Have bought extra bits and another handle its expensive but worth it

 

[BCRider]

Norton, those numbers would make sense if they were the blade thicknesses. A quick check with a caliper would tell the tale.

 

[CHM]

I have the Wheeler deluxe set and it's been great so far. I have dis-assembled a number of trapdoors, a Krag, and a couple of Springfield 1861s with it and have not had any issues. I did bust the small punch already, but plan on getting a replacement soon. The company will send you replacements at no cost if they break.

 

[DM~]

Lots of good stuff available. Personally I like Chapmans.

That's the brand i prefer too.

DM

 

[frontiergander]

Wheeler makes a great kit. I own their $16 screw driver set. They do have a bigger kit though but the price isnt cheap.

 

[Mike 56]

I only use two sizes of hollow ground bits to take apart cap and ball revolvers. I bought a bunch of them from the hardware store. I had to thin the wide bit that fits the hammer spring screw with dremel. I filed a magnetic bit holder to fit my leather man bit holder and i also made a bit adapter to fit my Swiss army knifes and of course i have screwdriver that holds the bits.