Screwdriver set that fits

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The Wheeler Engineering set from Midway has sufficient number of bits you should get one to fit nearly every screw. For som applications modification of a bit may be necessary.
 
FWIW, I've been using a Chapman set for several years and don't have any reason to complain or change.
 
If you just want a basic set for general use, Chapman are OK. You can generally find a set for $50.

I've got sets from Chapman, Wheeler, Grace and Brownells and I think Brownells Magna-Tip are the best. Don't count on one set to fulfill all your needs and don't count on them lasting forever.

Magna-Tip's are sold by width and thickness and they're probably the best. Start with their "Standard Set" and add from there. Measure the slot width and thickness that you generally engage with a dial caliper and buy additional bits as needed. I recently laid out $50 on tips that needed replacement and I consider it money well spent.
 
I like the Brownells screwdrivers, they have a lot of different size slotted bits and you can always grind them to fit if you have something that is not covered by what they sell.
 
The Brownell's Magna-tips along with their "Law Enforcement" driver handle is simply the best their is - IMHO. I've owned a set for decades and I own a bunch of their Fixed Handled ones as well for the ones that get used all the time. They are TERRIFIC !! I do have the other style handles as well but my go-to is the LE Magnetic version.
 
I ponied up for the Brownell's Magna Tip after I had already owned the Wheeler set. They cost more but I am glad I spent the money. Also ordered later on 8-10 of the very narrow bits 180-1, 180-2 and so on. Very pleased. I cringe sometimes when I view a YouTube video and the guy is using some beat-up driver I might use to pry something..certainly not any detailed/careful gun work. Have believed for a long time..you get what you pay for.
 
Proper Screwdrivers are cheap - when compared to the price and hassle of finding new screws! Some screws are incredibly difficult to find and when you might find used ones they are usually not in any better shape than yours. The BEST way is to not bugger them up in the first place.

Anyone who thinks Brownell's Screwdrivers are expensive should go look at Snap-on's, which in my opinion are not even as good as the Brownell's.
 
Buy all the 'sets' of screwdrivers available and you will still run into a difficult screw that not one of them will fit perfectly. The only solution is to get the proper bench grinder and wheel and learn to custom grind a bit to fit. Work on a gunbench long enough and you will run in to this situation. I had a couple of occasions with very expensive foreign shotguns that I had to set up my knee mill as a precision grinder to get the proper blade for a screw that I absolutely could not take a chance on buggering.
 
My first set was a Chapman kit with about 25 bits, a ratchet, driver and extension. My last one is the large Wheeler kit.
Any of the bits can be ground for special applications. They cost about a half a buck.
If you work on guns, you already make a lot of the tools you need, don't you?
 
I don't know if I posted on this as I went to the last page knowing I had been here before. I had the smaller Chapman set for years and it was good for rifles, but by the time I got into daring to open up handguns, all of the smaller bits had been trashed long ago removing scope bases which were all screw head back then (pre Allen and way pre Torx). I have the Brownells kit and it is great, although I break a heck of a lot of the 300-3 bits! Brownells sends me a new everytime no questions asked. They told me they are designed to break before wrecking the screws.

ETA: My friend has a big Wheeler kit that has some unique specialty bits and tools in addition to the driver bits, which are of pretty good quality as well.
 
Last edited:
sbrmike said:
I don't know if I posted on this as I went to the last page knowing I had been here before. I had the smaller Chapman set for years and it was good for rifles, but by the time I got into daring to open up handguns, all of the smaller bits had been trashed long ago removing scope bases which were all screw head back then (pre Allen and way pre Torx). I have the Brownells kit and it is great, although I break a heck of a lot of the 300-3 bits! Brownells sends me a new everytime no questions asked. They told me they are designed to break before wrecking the screws.

ETA: My friend has a big Wheeler kit that has some unique specialty bits and tools in addition to the driver bits, which are of pretty good quality as well.
Click to expand...

They sent me one of the big Wheeler kits to evaluate when they first came out (I was doing a new products column for the ASSRA Journal back then.) I was able to go for about an average week or two of amateur gunsmithing, primarily Winchesters, Ballards, etc, without ever having to leave that box except for some deeply recessed Allen screws. Oddly enough, one of the first bits I broke was one of the biggest... while trying to remove a rusted-in draw bolt on an old shotgun. The Wheeler may not be a great kit, but it certainly qualifies as a very good one.

I also use a starter set of Brownell's Magna Tip screwdrivers with perfect satisfaction and have several small sets from Chapman that do well for routine work.

Need something to throw in the range box? A Chapman set will probably do. Normal amateur DIY? Get the big Wheeler set. Professional work every day? Pay the freight for all the Brownell's Magnas. Then you will still need to specially grind the occasional bit for specific screws.

Froggie
 
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