292
Member
There was thread recently about Brownels screwdrivers. What do y'all think of Wheeler's.
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Wheeler engineering screwdrivers
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Wheeler screwdrivers are OK for their price point. The smaller, thinner bits are brittle and break too easily. Messed up a few screws and the area around them when a bit suddenly broke.The oddball tools like the rebound slide pusher and several others in the Wheeler kit do work quite well, as do the scope base bits.
I've gradually replaced my most used bit sizes with Brownell's Magna-Tip bits which are much higher quality.
Big Cholla
Member
IMHO, Wheeler's are superior to Brownell's. I have worked with my set for almost 20 years and have never broken a tip. I have reshaped a couple of them for special screws in European made fireams and they have performed as expected for me.
I have used the Brownell's sets and now they just gather dust.
I like the Wheeler's big set so much that I purchased the small set for exclusive use at the shooting range. ...........
I have used the Brownell's sets and now they just gather dust.
I like the Wheeler's big set so much that I purchased the small set for exclusive use at the shooting range. ...........
I worked with a set for a few years without breaking a tip or boogering any screws even though the fit of the driver wasn't perfect.
Haven't had much use for them since I picked up a set of Chapman's.
Haven't had much use for them since I picked up a set of Chapman's.
FifthWheel
US Veteran
I have Wheeler's 85pc set. So far no problems.
dfariswheel
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I've used Brownell's Magna-Tips so long I can't remember when I bought them.
I've used them both professionally and for my personal guns.
Wheeler's are made in China, Brownell's in the USA.
If you break a Brownell's bit, all you have to do is send them an email and they'll send you a free replacement, no questions asked.
Brownell's sell more sizes and types then Wheeler, and more sizes and types of handles.
Brownell's bits are much better finished and have an almost slick feel they're so well finished.
From what I've observed over the years, Brownell's is the standard in the gunsmithing trade.
My opinion is that Wheeler is okay for hobby use but not for professional use, and I wouldn't use a Wheeler set over Brownell's if I cared about my personal guns.
I've used them both professionally and for my personal guns.
Wheeler's are made in China, Brownell's in the USA.
If you break a Brownell's bit, all you have to do is send them an email and they'll send you a free replacement, no questions asked.
Brownell's sell more sizes and types then Wheeler, and more sizes and types of handles.
Brownell's bits are much better finished and have an almost slick feel they're so well finished.
From what I've observed over the years, Brownell's is the standard in the gunsmithing trade.
My opinion is that Wheeler is okay for hobby use but not for professional use, and I wouldn't use a Wheeler set over Brownell's if I cared about my personal guns.
My Wheeler set is only about 6 years old. Possibly the smaller bits in mine aren't as well tempered as 20 year old sets. Several broke or chipped in my set. Conversely, the Torx and hex bits are extremely tough.
S&WIowegan
US Veteran
I have a full set of each. Started with a Brownells set and bought a Wheeler set at least 10 yrs. ago. I tend to use the Wheeler set most often. I have never had any breakage in either set. I bought a set of screw drivers for S&W revolvers and the smallest slot head driver shattered almost immediately. They look like the Brownells drivers but I don't know that they are.
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To the best of my knowledge, Brownell's Screwdriver Bits are made by Apex. Apex makes the finest screwdriver bits I have ever used in my life; and that includes Snap-on! Apex still might sell direct if you buy a larger amounts (I used to, but no more), but for all practical purposes Brownells is the place for guys like us to get them from.
There are Wheeler, Grace, etc. that are OK, but the Brownell's (Apex) are simply the best IMHO. By the way, I have several sets of Brownell's Bits that I use for purposes other than on guns. Any time I care about not ruining a screw that is what I use. My Snap-on, Craftsman, Klien and Vaco screwdrivers are now pretty much decorating my tool box draws.
PS: I also have a complete set of Torx, Allen, Phillips (anti cam-out) square drive, etc. etc. from Apex as well. They are all many many years old and I have NEVER broken one. They are all in perfect condition and I DO use them almost every single day. Not only do I use them in Brownell's screwdriver handles, but I use them (with an Apex adaptor) with my 1/4" Ratchets - so they are NOT babied!
PS: I am a TOOL NUT and so there aren't too many brands out there (hand tools) that I haven't owned and/or tried. I'm sure there are some, but all the major brands and styles are either in my tool box or I've sold them. Not bragging, just being honest. I've spent way too much $$ on tools but at least now I feel I've got the best of the best.
There are Wheeler, Grace, etc. that are OK, but the Brownell's (Apex) are simply the best IMHO. By the way, I have several sets of Brownell's Bits that I use for purposes other than on guns. Any time I care about not ruining a screw that is what I use. My Snap-on, Craftsman, Klien and Vaco screwdrivers are now pretty much decorating my tool box draws.
PS: I also have a complete set of Torx, Allen, Phillips (anti cam-out) square drive, etc. etc. from Apex as well. They are all many many years old and I have NEVER broken one. They are all in perfect condition and I DO use them almost every single day. Not only do I use them in Brownell's screwdriver handles, but I use them (with an Apex adaptor) with my 1/4" Ratchets - so they are NOT babied!
PS: I am a TOOL NUT and so there aren't too many brands out there (hand tools) that I haven't owned and/or tried. I'm sure there are some, but all the major brands and styles are either in my tool box or I've sold them. Not bragging, just being honest. I've spent way too much $$ on tools but at least now I feel I've got the best of the best.
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OP
292
Member
Thanks for the replies. I ran across a set at a country store over the weekend, I think it was a 85 piece set for 60 bucks. Based on the consensus I'm glad I passed. I've been threatening to buy more gunsmith specific tools for several years.
Pig Hunter
Member
The heat treat of the Wheelers is inconsistent from batch to batch. Some are great others not so much. The Mag-Tips are guaranteed ( except the thin bit set) and will be replaced if they break. You might think about going to a pawn shop and buying odds and ends of good quality drivers you won't feel bad about grinding to fit, and put together model specific groups.
This must be the case, you hear of half the people liking them. I bought a set 10 years or so ago and every one I used snapped. Of course the ones I used were the ones that fit S&W.
Ed
Kenneth07ex
Member
I can't imagine any screws on any of my revolvers ever being tight enough to snap even a cheap bit. So Wheeler has been good enough for my needs. If you really need heavy duty quality, then there's better brands than the Wheeler. But I'm certainly not paying Brownells prices for a screwdriver set. Hollow ground screwdrivers aren't uncommon at all. If you want better quality, then shop around.
But I can say that a quality warranty is a big selling point. And Brownells certainly has that. So if money isn't the top consideration, then what can you lose. I rarely break any bits on anything anymore. So I can't justify the price vs just buying a new bit. But that's me, I'm cheap.
But I can say that a quality warranty is a big selling point. And Brownells certainly has that. So if money isn't the top consideration, then what can you lose. I rarely break any bits on anything anymore. So I can't justify the price vs just buying a new bit. But that's me, I'm cheap.
+1 for steamloco76, dfariswheel, and chief38!!!
I can't speak to the quality of the Wheeler sets, but other forum members already have. I agree - some like them, others don't.
Early on I was mistakenly using my Craftsman screwdrivers (I have many) but it's the wrong tool for the job. Spoke with my friendly gunsmith (aren't they all??). He strongly recommended the Brownell set, hands down.
I bought the 58-piece Master Set Plus with hollow handle. Brownell's also offers discounts for LEOs and former military.
I own several different firearms from Wilson Combat to Colt, Springfield Armory, and best of all Smith & Wesson. They seem to each use different screw head thicknesses and screw head widths. The Brownell set has all the bits that you'll need.
I haven't buggered a screw head since I bought them!!
I can't speak to the quality of the Wheeler sets, but other forum members already have. I agree - some like them, others don't.
Early on I was mistakenly using my Craftsman screwdrivers (I have many) but it's the wrong tool for the job. Spoke with my friendly gunsmith (aren't they all??). He strongly recommended the Brownell set, hands down.
I bought the 58-piece Master Set Plus with hollow handle. Brownell's also offers discounts for LEOs and former military.
I own several different firearms from Wilson Combat to Colt, Springfield Armory, and best of all Smith & Wesson. They seem to each use different screw head thicknesses and screw head widths. The Brownell set has all the bits that you'll need.
I haven't buggered a screw head since I bought them!!
RV4driver
US Veteran
I bought the Wheeler set because it had SOOOO many sizes, and the additional weird, one off drivers. I really just needed something to fit the rib screws on my Caesar Guerini shotgun...nope, didn't have one that thin, so I ground it down just a bit, yeah, it fits, but I'm not going to put any oomph on it, if you know what I mean!
Targets Guy
US Veteran
I have had this set since 2013. They have worked great.
Bought a Brownells super set around 1985 and haven't had a problem at all. Broke a couple of bits not doing gun work. If Big Cholla wants to sell his Brownell set I would be interested.
Wheeler tools are decent for the price. I have a Wheeler screwdriver set and an older Pachmayr screwdriver set. I've had both sets for several 10+ for the Wheeler and maybe 20+ for the Pachmayr's. Both have given me very good service, never broke or damaged a tip on either. I do have some Brownell's tools such as a file set and some AR specific tools and they seem to be very high quality. If price was not an issue, I would go with the Brownell's over the Wheeler's.
I have the big Wheeler set, and have mixed feelings about them.
I really like the two driver handles, one long and one short, the grips fill my hand yet are just soft enough to be really comfortable.
While I've had no trouble with bit breakage or twist, the finish on them looks like as cast, not ground, the ends are not dead flat, and in spite of the plethora of widths and thicknesses, I cannot find a perfect fit on something as simple and commonplace as S&W revolver side plate screws.
OTOH, I have an ancient set of Forster gunsmith screwdrivers that have excellent ground bits and heat treatment, but the handles are too small in diameter and the sharp edges very uncomfortable in my hands.
This is another area where big sets are more price attractive than buying individually, but you end up with a bunch of stuff you'll never use and still not get exactly what you need.
I do wish the screwdriver makers would specify exactly what screws by gun they fit, or that the gun makers list their screw slot dimensions, but it's still a trial and error affair unless some old smith has made his own table and wills you a copy of it.
I really like the two driver handles, one long and one short, the grips fill my hand yet are just soft enough to be really comfortable.
While I've had no trouble with bit breakage or twist, the finish on them looks like as cast, not ground, the ends are not dead flat, and in spite of the plethora of widths and thicknesses, I cannot find a perfect fit on something as simple and commonplace as S&W revolver side plate screws.
OTOH, I have an ancient set of Forster gunsmith screwdrivers that have excellent ground bits and heat treatment, but the handles are too small in diameter and the sharp edges very uncomfortable in my hands.
This is another area where big sets are more price attractive than buying individually, but you end up with a bunch of stuff you'll never use and still not get exactly what you need.
I do wish the screwdriver makers would specify exactly what screws by gun they fit, or that the gun makers list their screw slot dimensions, but it's still a trial and error affair unless some old smith has made his own table and wills you a copy of it.
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