Gun screwdrivers?

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 7:55 pm

I think I remember seeing a thread about this long ago on the old site, but I need the knowledge/advice now. Just received Steve's DVD so my son and I can tweak a Rossi 20 inch I gave him for Christmas. What would be the best gun screwdriver set to buy? Do they have to be "gun" screwdrivers? I don't want junk of course, but also don't want to have to trade the pink slip to the Jeep for one. I sure appreciate any advice. Jim

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:00 pm

Magna-Tip Super Set, best money I have spent!
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ ... PER%20SETS?

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:02 pm

I use and old Chapman set specifically for guns. The bits are hollow ground so the sides of the blade fit square to the sides of the screw slot. The bits come in various sizes and thicknesses to fit the myriad of screw sizes.

If you don't buy hollow ground screw drivers you WILL muck up the screw slots. Guaranteed.

Midway, Brownells, and many gun shops carry sets of gun type drivers. I'd suggest you peruse their sites and buy the best set you can afford.

Joe

bsaride · Post by **bsaride** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 8:04 pm

I bought the Chapman kit after that thread.
One thing I liked was that I could get to leaf
spring screws between the tangs easier with it.
Just my 2 cents.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:28 pm

Brownells Magna-Tip screwdrivers are the best I have found!

Spendy but you deserve the best. Buy cheep and you will regret it!

jnyork · Post by **jnyork** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:35 pm

Chuck 100 yd wrote:Brownells Magna-Tip screwdrivers are the best I have found!
Spendy but you deserve the best. Buy cheep and you will regret it!

What he said.

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 3:04 am

Thanks men, looks like I'll be looking at the Chapman and Magna Tips, and buy the ones I like the best of those two. Jim

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:52 am

I have been kinda looking for one too. I think I like the look of this one....
Wheeler Engineering 89-peice Profesional-Plus Gunsmithing Screwdriver Set

1886 · Post by **1886** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:15 am

Brownells super set. I picked up the 58 pc. master set about 18months ago. What a dream. Run, dont walk and get one. I can not comment on the others but if folks like them I am sure they are quality as well. 1886.

JB · Post by JB » Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:09 am

I had a Chapman set, but they were too brittle. I kept breaking tips. I've had good luck with the Brownells bits, although I still snap a few of the very smallest ones. I recently found a set of hollow ground tips at Sears on sell for arond $9.99. So far I haven't broken or bent any of them.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:03 am

JB wrote:I had a Chapman set, but they were too brittle. I kept breaking tips. I've had good luck with the Brownells bits, although I still snap a few of the very smallest ones. I recently found a set of hollow ground tips at Sears on sell for arond $9.99. So far I haven't broken or bent any of them.

I have the same problem with Chapman's. I'm tired of replacing tips, so I'm going to buy the Brownell's. 2 machinists and 1 gunsmith that I know gave the Brownell's a "thumbs up".

Post by **Hobie** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:45 am

J Miller wrote:I use and old Chapman set specifically for guns. The bits are hollow ground so the sides of the blade fit square to the sides of the screw slot. The bits come in various sizes and thicknesses to fit the myriad of screw sizes.

If you don't buy hollow ground screw drivers you WILL muck up the screw slots. Guaranteed.

Midway, Brownells, and many gun shops carry sets of gun type drivers. I'd suggest you peruse their sites and buy the best set you can afford.

Joe

Excellent advise. I have the Magna-tip from Brownells. Never a failure of the screwdriver...

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:57 am

J Miller wrote:The bits are hollow ground

What exactly is hollow grinding? I've always seen this referred to on 'smithing screwdrivers but I've never known what it meant. Is it a process or a tool that's used?

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:09 pm

awp101, it is simply the way the tip of the screwdriver/bit is ground. Regular screw drivers are flat ground, the angle is a straight taper to the tip. Hollow ground are ground with an inward curve to the tip, making the screwdriver/bit fit square in the screw slot, much harder for the tip to booger up a screw slot.

awp101 · Post by **awp101** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:11 pm

OK, so it's the process used. Thanks!

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:31 pm

I have two sets of the Magna Tips from Brownell's. But agree w/ Joe; peruse them all.