Best screwdriver bit set for gunsmithing
- Thread starter Jabol
- Start date
Those with more time to spare might try a bench stone or a hand file- I'd be worried about taking off too much metal with one of those. But a true gunsmithing bit will be specially hardened, so for the pros....
- Location
- Steel Town
I have my gunsmith make me /modify a screw driver to fit each frequently removed screw. It doesn't cost that much, and it's always a perfect fit. I laser etch the rifle(s) name on the handle.
^this is true, but perhaps a bit misleading. Especially if anyone reads into that and thinks "As long as the quality is good, I'll have the bits I need". I have this set, and am grateful to have the number of flat-head bits it has. As many as there are, I've still run up against slot screws that I don't have a perfect match for. I'm going to look at some of the more complete sets mentioned in this thread, and consider an upgrade.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/15478964828...eb&brand=WHEELER&_trksid=p2047675.c101224.m-1
I have a couple different sets, Chapman and Brownells. Both good, but there are a lot of those bits I have never used, and some just barely fit the screws.
I like the idea of grinding my own, although I have not done this yet.
A guy on another forum said he buys old screwdrivers cheap at garage sales, flea markets etc, then grinds them to fit.
Seems like a good way to get some practice in for not a lot of dough. The stones are reasonable, and all you need is some kind of power to turn it. A small bench grinder would be perfect.
I like the idea of grinding my own, although I have not done this yet.
A guy on another forum said he buys old screwdrivers cheap at garage sales, flea markets etc, then grinds them to fit.
Seems like a good way to get some practice in for not a lot of dough. The stones are reasonable, and all you need is some kind of power to turn it. A small bench grinder would be perfect.
yea you're right about that. on the down side of the Bronwell set there are at minimum of at least 1/2 of the slotted driver bits you would never use on a gun, they're huge. i like the set though, been able to accomplish what i needed done.
Any purpose built set will do.
But go to yard sales and pick up a bucket of random screw drivers. You can cut & grind your own to fit. Especially important on old guns and especially w/ existing screw damage. This is recommended/demonstrated by Mark Novak on his Anvil YouTube channel. My guess is this is the common practice for skilled gunsmiths.
But go to yard sales and pick up a bucket of random screw drivers. You can cut & grind your own to fit. Especially important on old guns and especially w/ existing screw damage. This is recommended/demonstrated by Mark Novak on his Anvil YouTube channel. My guess is this is the common practice for skilled gunsmiths.
I bought a Wheeler scope mounting kit with the Fat Max torque wrench a while ago. Since then I've added a screwdriver set and file set. I've got a few bench vices and leather for clamping barrels/actions as well as a plastic rest for cleaning or refinishing guns. I'm covered for about 99% of repair or restore jobs I come across. Would love a drill press (and tap/die set) too and a lathe, but have no idea how to run a lathe so I'll leave that to real gunsmiths.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yup, even more so if you're dealing with some Euro shotguns.
- Depending on the width needed, I like to start with Milwaukee or Makita slotted bit.
- Brownells Magnatip, not the cheapest. But a wide variety of bits.
I'm no expert gunsmith, so I just use an inexpensive Maximum 70 piece ratcheting driver set from Cambodian Tire, and a Vortex branded torque screwdriver made in Taiwan. Between the two I have everything I need to service and maintain all firearms in my inventory sans a few gun-specific tools (I'm looking at you, Tavor barrel). The quality of steel in the Maximum bits probably isn't super high grade, but so far I haven't had any issues at all with them, and the set came with an assortment of useful torx and hex bits... so for the price I think it was an absolute steal.
When it comes to screwdrivers, most people barely know how to use one properly and the first thing they do to their shiny new toy is to take it apart and GALL every screw slot, etc on the rifle, reducing the value by the cost of getting replacements and you need to factor in shipping, time, taxes etc.
Flat blade screwdrivers are designed to fit snugly into the slot, all the way across.
Not a bit larger on any of the dimensions or smaller. Both of these issues will create damage to the screw and the area around the screw, reducing the value of your firearms immediately.
The blade edges all need to be sharp, not rounded. The soft, interchangeable bits often not only don't fit properly but they get dull very quickly.
The first thing I look for when purchasing a rifle are the screws and the area around them.
If the screw slots are galled or the area around them are scraped, reduce the value of the firearm by 10%.
Poorly fitting screwdrivers are, IMHO, indicative of the knowledge concerning firearms care by at least one or more of the owners.
I have at least two dozen flat blade screwdrivers, with properly ground dimensions for the majority of screws I come across in my endeavors. They're usually picked up at yard sales for a buck or so each, then taken home to the shop and ground to fit, when it's necessary.
Philips or X head screwdrivers are more difficult to duplicate and sadly the screw heads are often so badly damaged by POORLY FITTING screw drivers, usually from socalled "gunsmith" sets, that it take a lot of time and effort to get them out for replacement.
I've had to mill the heads of hundreds of screws, so that I can get to the shanks and remove them.
When one is that bad, usually all of the screws on that firearm are in similar condition and often, depending on the value of the firearm, I will just pass on the purchase because of the effort/time/expense to fix the issues with the damaged screw heads.
Torx screwdrivers are not something that can be fitted and don't usually require any special fitting, so off the shelf kits work quite well.
I don't particularly like interchangeable bit drivers. That doesn't mean I don't use them. They have their place.
Most people don't know how to use a screwdriver properly. It looks pretty straight forward, until attemps are made to take things apart, without making sure the item is in a solid position.
The other mistake made by moste neophites is to hold the screwdriver at an angle to the work.
Another mistake is, not applying downward force on the screwdriver to keep the bit in the appropriate slot, etc.
All of the above issues can be avoided with just making sure your screwdriver bits fit snugly, are wide enough or thick enough for the screw type and knowing how to use the tool.
Using screwdriver tips that are TO SMALL FOR THE JOB AT HAND DO MOST OF THE GALLING.
Individual, purpose made screwdrivers are best for almost all jobs. You can pick them up cheap at yard sales and pawn shops.
If you don't have the space or ability to grind or store purpose ground screwdrivers, the Canadian Tire multi purpose kits are barely functional and should be avoided. There are good kits out there, but they tend to be pricey. Still, they usually cost less than a full set of screws for your valuable firearm.
Flat blade screwdrivers are designed to fit snugly into the slot, all the way across.
Not a bit larger on any of the dimensions or smaller. Both of these issues will create damage to the screw and the area around the screw, reducing the value of your firearms immediately.
The blade edges all need to be sharp, not rounded. The soft, interchangeable bits often not only don't fit properly but they get dull very quickly.
The first thing I look for when purchasing a rifle are the screws and the area around them.
If the screw slots are galled or the area around them are scraped, reduce the value of the firearm by 10%.
Poorly fitting screwdrivers are, IMHO, indicative of the knowledge concerning firearms care by at least one or more of the owners.
I have at least two dozen flat blade screwdrivers, with properly ground dimensions for the majority of screws I come across in my endeavors. They're usually picked up at yard sales for a buck or so each, then taken home to the shop and ground to fit, when it's necessary.
Philips or X head screwdrivers are more difficult to duplicate and sadly the screw heads are often so badly damaged by POORLY FITTING screw drivers, usually from socalled "gunsmith" sets, that it take a lot of time and effort to get them out for replacement.
I've had to mill the heads of hundreds of screws, so that I can get to the shanks and remove them.
When one is that bad, usually all of the screws on that firearm are in similar condition and often, depending on the value of the firearm, I will just pass on the purchase because of the effort/time/expense to fix the issues with the damaged screw heads.
Torx screwdrivers are not something that can be fitted and don't usually require any special fitting, so off the shelf kits work quite well.
I don't particularly like interchangeable bit drivers. That doesn't mean I don't use them. They have their place.
Most people don't know how to use a screwdriver properly. It looks pretty straight forward, until attemps are made to take things apart, without making sure the item is in a solid position.
The other mistake made by moste neophites is to hold the screwdriver at an angle to the work.
Another mistake is, not applying downward force on the screwdriver to keep the bit in the appropriate slot, etc.
All of the above issues can be avoided with just making sure your screwdriver bits fit snugly, are wide enough or thick enough for the screw type and knowing how to use the tool.
Using screwdriver tips that are TO SMALL FOR THE JOB AT HAND DO MOST OF THE GALLING.
Individual, purpose made screwdrivers are best for almost all jobs. You can pick them up cheap at yard sales and pawn shops.
If you don't have the space or ability to grind or store purpose ground screwdrivers, the Canadian Tire multi purpose kits are barely functional and should be avoided. There are good kits out there, but they tend to be pricey. Still, they usually cost less than a full set of screws for your valuable firearm.
