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Gunsmithing screwdrivers

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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
This ^^^.
I used my Dremel to adjust the blade width and add a bit of hollow grind to some cheap screwdrivers.
Working okay so far, until I get a set of proper hollow grind screwdrivers.
 
Are there any screwdriver sets you all would recommend? I had some sticker shock after first looking them up, so I thought it would be a good idea to get some input before spending the money.

Thanks!
Grace are my choice, but have some old snap-on's that I have ground to fit the tapered slots on the antique guns I work on
 
My friend wanted percussion against my wishes but since it's percussion I can change to flint when he's ready. I think with this year it's 17 brown and counting
 

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To take out a screw that is loose or easy just about any screwdriver will do. It is when you have a screw that is tight that you need a real screwdriver, the hollow ground type. Wheeler, Brownells and others like them are all good. But would strongly recommend getting a set with a really great selection of bits. For the simple reason one of these sets are a onetime buy and sooner or later you will get a screw that is not budging without some real force. That is when the large selection pays off, cause the best fit and width will help tremendously in getting good results without damage. I use Wheeler.
 
My gunsmith, who learned the old ways from his father, also a 'smith and collector, said that if he's working on a valuable rare piece, (say, a Peacemaker) he might start removing a screw by giving it an initial "tap", then letting it sit for a full 24 hrs. before working it again. I'm sure he's got a good selection of Screw Drivers, too! Patience pays off! That may sound real "zen", but if a screw's been in there for a century or more, slow is the way to go!
 
as a professional transmission rebuilder for 45 years, i learned to only buy the best USA made tools. and in the gunsmith world to me grace in the best. i also have a set of Brownell's bits and drivers. they are very good but usually i pick up the grace,,,,,,,,,,
 
The Chapman's have that neat little ratchet driver, I have found for really tight screws I use the ratchet and the handle and push down really hard on the handle while turning with the ratchet.

Pushing down keeps the bit in place and keeps it from slipping out of the slot while turning with the ratchet.
 
You WILL break tips, no matter who makes the tools, when you get burly with them. Thats a given. Some break easier than others. Chapman are in the Tough catagory. And Chapman makes replacements for all their tips. The "gunsmith kits" pretty much cover every size you are ever going to need. I think Ive got hmmm.. 4 kits.. the ones in the old steel flap top round corner boxes. Ill buy tips once a year.. I keep the busted ones so I can read off the numbers on each tip. When you have the gun locked into the drill press, the tip in the chuck and are pulling down on the feed lever and turning the belt by hand... you can indeed bust a tip. But Some fasteners have been rusted together for a century or more. Kroil, a few taps on the fastener.. a bit of judicious TIGHTENING of that locked screw and maybe a little heat.. nearly all will come loose. One of my drill presses has a long drive shaft that can be tapped on (brass hammer) while pullling down on the feed lever will generally break just about any screw loose.
 
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After reading some of the one star reviews about the Wheeler and Grace tips bending and breaking under low torque usage, I think I'll stick with my home modified screwdrivers. I have yet to have one of mine bend or break. Makes me wonder if they have changed their process, material, or both in the past few years.
 
as a professional transmission rebuilder for 45 years, i learned to only buy the best USA made tools. and in the gunsmith world to me grace in the best. i also have a set of Brownell's bits and drivers. they are very good but usually i pick up the grace,,,,,,,,,,
I have an old set of Craftsman tools that are USA made. They were decent tools, not Snap On by any means, but decent. Several years ago, when many bolts and nuts were going metric, I bought a Craftsman Chinese made socket set. They were trash. TRASH!
 
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