What toolkit - precision ground screw drivers

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McTrucky

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2019
Messages
72
Hi all,

I am looking to buy a decent set of screwdrivers to work on multiple guns with. I have a selection of hollow ground bits from cheap kits that I have ground to fit on occasion - but it is time to buy the right kit.

I am drawn to kits by WEAVER and WHEELER that can be bought from various places, but here is a link to Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wheeler-73...xt&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A1KOJ9KOBXSJLM&gQT=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WEAVER-Gun...mzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks,
Alan.
 
I am not so sure about the longevity of the bits by Wheeler, but the kits are nice and complete. Guns often seem to require non-standard bits, especially flatheads in odd sizes. Having a wide selection of bits and using the right one will help avoid scratches and marring or even chewing up slots entirely. (Been there 🥲 ). Also invest in a good selection of punches while you are at it, as the right punch makes it so much easier to eject and replace rolling pins and such.
 
PB Swiss for me. Also the punches.
Some screws will have a big head but a small slit. For that you have to grind a wide bit to the right width.
Otherwise it will damage the screw.
 
I've bought a Wheeler kit from Brownells. I did a lot a reading on other forums but little concensus as to what is best, and it may be I will still need to grind bits to get them thin enough for some guns.
 
PB Swiss for me. Also the punches.
Some screws will have a big head but a small slit. For that you have to grind a wide bit to the right width.
Otherwise it will damage the screw.
You can't get PB Swiss over here now.
The importers closed up.
 
Personally I'd be averse to purchasing a gunsmithing screwdriver set for the following reasons:
1) If it's got "gunsmithing" in the advertising, then it's going to attach a markup to suit.
2) It's unlikely to contain all the 1/4" hex drive bits you need, so you're going to end up buying more, or grinding existing bits to suit.
3) Bits wear, and worn bits damage screws. So at some point you're going to want to replace individual bits. Possibly an issue if you've bought a set.
4) Quality. Both the driver handles in the Wheeler and the Weaver kits listed on Amazon make my teeth itch. They look cheap. Possibly follows onto the quality of the rest. As Bavarian mentioned, buy some decent quality bits. I'm also a big fan of Wera (and Wiha) bits.

If gunsmithing is going to become a big thing for you, then I'd also invest in a 1/4" hex drive torque driver. Doesn't just make sure you're doing screws up enough, it stops you overtightening them too. Broken screws and stripped threads aren't fun.
 
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