Gunsmithing screwdrivers

ord sgt · Jan 19, 2023

I bought the starter set from Brownells many years ago. 100% guarantee on the turnscrew bits. Broke a few, they were replaced, no questions asked. I expanded the set, buying to fill the need as it occurred. I use the set to work on my unmentionable firearms as well. Sometimes some of the bits get used for small repairs around the house. Well worth the investment. Buy once, cry once.

FishDFly · Jan 19, 2023

rchas said:
Well, not once have I had anything grabbed from my hand when properly using a bench grinder. If this happens to you frequently, you probably need to check your technique. Even Brownells recommends grinding their bit heads to fit odd sized screw slots.

Seems like I hear from lots of folks who then need to check their techniques.

I buy tools, not buy used tools and then modify them for the correct usage.

R Ellis · Jan 19, 2023

I have the Wheeler 43 piece $45 on Amazon

Rifleman1776 · Jan 19, 2023

Mine are Lyman brand hollow handle with extra bits for the magnetic tip. For special screws I do like rchas recommends, grind old screwdrivers to suit my needs.

TobJohn · Jan 19, 2023

SOLANCO said:
Bought this set from Midway years back. I am no professional smith dealing with a huge variety of guns. This set for less than $20 has worked well for me. I added a couple of nut drivers to it over time.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007360766?pid=297593

This is the one I decided to order. My needs are still too modest for a big set and i need to budget for all the other muzzleloading tools and accoutrements.

French Colonial · Jan 19, 2023

I like the Chapmans.

Freezer · Jan 19, 2023

Good choice! That’s what I bought for myself. I've had it for years and when my gunsmith friend had health issues I made a desk type bench for him and bought these for him, he loved them. The on;y problem I have is the magnet, it doesn't stay in the handle. I solved that with a little superglue.

Oberst · Jan 19, 2023

Flintandsteel said:
Been building for 30 years, these are all you’ll ever need.View attachment 191500

Agree. For some of them, I did grind the edge to fit the narrower slots many muzzleloaders come with.

springfield art · Jan 19, 2023

Always regret not having gotten a pro set years ago. Check out Brownell's, too. Many of these sets are most likely China-made? For what that's worth.

Boston Bill · Jan 19, 2023

I am very happy with my Callahan set

https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=callahan+scrrewdriver+set

springfield art · Jan 19, 2023

Oberst said:
Agree. For some of them, I did grind the edge to fit the narrower slots many muzzleloaders come with.

Wow. Will check out. I always wondered why back in the day, the screws had the micro-thin slots! I didn't like grinding as I don't know tempering temperatures, etc.

Oberst · Jan 19, 2023

springfield art said:
Wow. Will check out. I always wondered why back in the day, the screws had the micro-thin slots! I didn't like grinding as I don't know tempering temperatures, etc.

I just used a stone I use for constant chisel sharpening so no real heat generated.

Dusty_Traveler · Jan 19, 2023

I have a full set of Brownells, and they have worked great for me over the years.

Vol423 · Jan 20, 2023

I'll second Brownells screwdriver sets. I have four complete sets and some more specialty bits. Brownells will replace any broken bits.

Lippy984 · Jan 20, 2023

I like my set from Grace. I once broke a smaller one, contacted them and they sent me a new one pretty quickly. I also have a Brownells Magna tip driver that’s sold specifically for single actions.

Huasser1 · Jan 20, 2023

Crow Choker said:
I've used Brownell's hollow ground bits for years. Started out back in the early 70's with a basic set, have added numerous bits and handles over the years. Have bought lot of bits over the years oversize then grind to specific widths. Brownell's has a set of really super thin bits, various withs for really super thin screws. Brownell's are a little pricey at times, but quality stuff. Chapman makes a number of pretty good sets that appear to be good quality, a friend has a set. Wheeler as 'hawkenhunter50' posted also has good quality products, I've a few of them. MidwayUSA has gunscrew sets available also. The 'Grace' non-bit style screwdrivers are nice. I've two sets of them bought over the years, good quality.

+1 Brownells
A little pricier but comes with no questions asked lifetime gaurantee and excellent quality.
Have had mine for many years and love 'em

Widows Son · Jan 20, 2023

You should buy the best set you can afford because you won’t regret it.

If money is tight and if you only have occasional tightening/loosening jobs, you can get away with a set of hollow ground bits.

Don’t use ordinary hardware screwdrivers.

olskool · Jan 20, 2023

i had a set from forster, a couple broke. i called them to get them replaced, they said i would need to send them in for inspection, i did, they denied my warranty! i then bought grace screwdrivers. a couple needed replacement. i called and asked if i needed to send them in for evaluation? the man told me to put them in the trash! he sent what i wanted with no questions asked! i have bought hammers and more screwdrivers from them and would never use anything else!

Howard Pippin · Jan 20, 2023

rchas said:
The bit sets are nice, but can be expensive. If you have a bench grinder, a cheaper but just as viable route is to buy screwdrivers (they are everywhere at yardsales and fleamarkets) and grind the heads parallel your self.

As a mechanic, when I had a good Phillips screwdriver that got bad, I would take it to a small bench grinder (6 in stones), and squared it off, grind two sides parallel, and just a tiny bit hollow ground and they made a nice screwdriver with the bit the same size as the shank. I used such screwdrivers for carburetor work, but they'll work beautiful to keep from messing up any screw head On any screw. If you work with this kind of stuff, is not hard to do.
Squint

TC Tommy · Jan 20, 2023

hawkenhunter50 said:
I have a set of these and really like them.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007363134?pid=439523

I too have a set and love em! Another hobby I have is Small live steam engines, some over a hundred years old and these bits
come in handy for those old tiny screws. What I'm trying to say is, they're not just for fire arms.

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