Looking for gunsmith screwdrivers

CATI1835 · Nov 15, 2015

I am looking for a set of screwdrivers. First, let me say I do not want a set with changeable tips. I want full screwdrivers. The two brands that seem to be the best reviewed are Forster and Grace. Does anyone have any experience with either? Are there others I am over looking?

Drm50 · Nov 15, 2015

I have a bushel of screw drivers. Grace is low end, but not bad
for novice. I have them all, Brownells is probably the best. Having said that, I'm going to get into replaceable tip models.
I have broke more gun screw drivers than I care to admit. The
run of the mill brands are to soft. Such as Dewalt, Craftsman,
Ect. Contracted in China. There are good industrial grade bits
to be had. APEX is one that comes to mind. Brownell's have
good ones too, in many sizes and types.

Big Cholla · Nov 15, 2015

IMHO, you are overlooking the Wheeler Engineering screwdriver set. If you are going to work on multiple brands of firearms this set will answer many problems that come up with the special tips that are included. The large set is the one to get and it can usually be bought in the $60/70 range as opposed to the MSRP of about $100. ...........

Muss Muggins · Nov 15, 2015

Mine is a very, very old Chapman set. Unfortunately, one of the tips has been lost over the years, but the rest are as solid as the day my dad bought them new in the 1960's. I can't vouch for their new product, and I don't know where it's made, but it seems affordable and the reviews I've read are positive.

H Richard · Nov 15, 2015

The most important thing (in my estimation) is to have a driver bit that "fits" the screw slot. Since there is so much variation in size of slots, thickness, width, and depth, I buy the biggest set of replaceable bits I can find. Currently the Wheeler engineering set from Midway. Even then, I find screws that have difficulty getting a "correct" fit. Even with only S&W side plate screws, I find considerable variation over the decades of manufacturing, especially the older "5th" top screw. Don't give up on replaceable bits.

chief38 · Nov 15, 2015

I own a set of Grace Gunsmithing screwdrivers and while they are adequate I honestly don't think they hold a candle to the Brownells fixed blade screwdrivers. The Brownells are much better constructed, stronger and more precision ground. Since buying the Brownells set I rarely use the Grace set anymore.

I own the Brownells switchable bits as well but you did mention you were not interested in that type, so look at the link below and look into the fixed sets. Once on Brownells site, you can look at smaller sets as well. There are all different sets from starter to Master set. I own only ONE lonely Forster screwdriver (think I got it from my Dad) and use it on rare occasion so I will not comment on them because I have little experience with that brand.

I also own a set of Grace Gunsmithing roll pin punches and while they are OK and do work, the Starrett brand punches are far superior. Yes, I am and will admit to being a "tool snob".

FIXED-BLADE SCREWDRIVER MASTER SETS | Brownells

smokindog · Nov 15, 2015

I too have a set of Grace, the Brownells magnatip master set plus, and their fixed blade Super master set. I have both because I got one for a Birthday present after already purchasing the other. Sometimes it's just easier to say thank you and it's always nice to have the right tools

The Brownells fixed blade are the most reached for on the bench!

The Magnatip set is currently on sale.

080-112-081WB
58 Bit Master Set Plus w/ #81 Handle

080-454-000WB
Fixed-Blade Gunsmith's Screwdriver Super Master Set

silentflyer · Nov 15, 2015

I have 2 sets of Chapman's with the interchangeable bits, never had a problem with them, they work great.

chief38 · Nov 16, 2015

You could also save some of your old and worn out screwdrivers to be re-ground into hollow ground bits for specific uses. You can use a Bench Grinder, Belt Sander or a Brownells Grinding Stone that is made to be chucked in a Drill Press or Electric Drill. If you screw it up nothing is lost, but after a while you can get the hang of it and you will have some really useful screwdrivers. Here are a few I have done; one from an old Yankee screwdriver and one from an old S&W screwdriver. Actually it's rewarding and fun - for me.

DocB · Nov 16, 2015

What Cholla said. . .Wheeler is the way to go for about anything you might need.

flintsghost · Nov 17, 2015

Drm50 said:
I have a bushel of screw drivers. Grace is low end, but not bad
for novice. I have them all, Brownells is probably the best. Having said that, I'm going to get into replaceable tip models.
I have broke more gun screw drivers than I care to admit. The
run of the mill brands are to soft. Such as Dewalt, Craftsman,
Ect. Contracted in China. There are good industrial grade bits
to be had. APEX is one that comes to mind. Brownell's have
good ones too, in many sizes and types.

Brownells tips are made by Apex. When you get them take a magnifying glass and look and most I have are marked with the part number and "Apex". Brownells, also has a line of full screw drivers with the same tips in most cases.

Drm50 · Nov 17, 2015

Like evert thing else a lot of gun tools are not actually made by
the"House", they are contracted out. I am fimilar with APEX
They supply a lot of bits, adapters, ect to industrial customers.
I don't have any Brownells replaceable bit type yet, I didn't know
they were made by APEX until it was posted. Lyman, Wheeler
ect are these contract jobs. In other words middle men. Find out
the maker and you can buy them a lot cheaper. I also am not
thrilled with "sets" of screw drivers, drill bits, taps& dies. A lot
of tools in sets are never used. I'd rather buy the ones I use. When something comes up out of the ordinary, I grind one to
fit. It depends on your needs, if you just occasionally do some
minor stuff, grace or Wheeler will get you by. I work on guns
almost daily I want good tools. When working on guns cheap
tools will end up costing you dearly, in buggered screws, scratches ect. Morale of story is you are better off with the best
you can afford.

chief38 · Nov 18, 2015

flintsghost said:
Brownells tips are made by Apex. When you get them take a magnifying glass and look and most I have are marked with the part number and "Apex". Brownells, also has a line of full screw drivers with the same tips in most cases.

I have known that fact for many years. I also think that the Apex Brand which I have owned for 30+ years (before I even knew of Brownells Co.) makes the finest bits that exist. Most of my original Apex bits still look like the day I got them. If there are better bits than Apex/Brownells - I do not know of them.

Dr Denby · Nov 19, 2015

Is the choice of the fixed blade screwdrivers a matter of just preference? or have you found a performance difference to the bits?

I ask because I have done my own work for many many a year now and have only used bits.

Doc

chief38 · Nov 19, 2015

Dr Denby said:
Is the choice of the fixed blade screwdrivers a matter of just preference? or have you found a performance difference to the bits?

I ask because I have done my own work for many many a year now and have only used bits.

Doc

I've got both and the big difference (at least to me) is that I am MUCH MORE likely to take a Bit and custom grind it for one specific screw more often than I will a fixed blade screwdriver to do so. A replacement is a lot less expensive! Individual Bits also allow themselves to be used in a Ratchet handle with a 1/4" socket converter - which gives you much greater versatility and agility. The bits are also 1/5th the cost! I also find that the Apex / Brownells Bits have a larger selection of sizes than do their fixes blade counterparts. I've got well over 110 different Bits compared to the fixed blade version that come in about 20 some-odd sizes. Apex sells a HUGE selection while Brownells has a smaller selection - that's why I have both brands.

Sometimes if I am working on a gun that has mostly one size screws or I am only dealing with one specific screw I will grab the fixed blade tool. Other times I like the Bits because I can take the Law Enforcement Handle and a block of bits which will do anything I need. On the Apex bits the ends are chamfered which will pretty much prevent any damage to a gun should the bit slide slightly out of the screw slot - the fixed blades do not have that feature so IF you are working on a flush screw or counter sunk screw, the chamfered edges are terrific! You certainly do NOT want the screwdriver blade scratching the sides of a counter sunk hole.

The Brownells (Apex) Bits are much more refined and have much more accurate blades than the Grace screwdrivers have. If you look at them under a 10X loop or an Optimizer you can really see the difference!

jculloden · Nov 21, 2015

I have a bunch of slotted APEX bits I'll probably sell on this forum

Looking for gunsmith screwdrivers

CATI1835

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Drm50

Big Cholla

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Muss Muggins

H Richard

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chief38

smokindog

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silentflyer

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chief38

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DocB

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flintsghost

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Drm50

chief38

Dr Denby

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chief38

jculloden

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