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"Gun Smith's" screw drivers.
asop
Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭✭
Are these special because they are made of a softer steel than conventional screw drivers thus having a lesser tendency to "bugger up" the screws?
Comments
I don't think so.
Most all gunsmith screwdriver sets have hollow-ground blade tips. They are also tougher, to resist bending. Some are so hard, that the tip will break before bending.
I have sets, such as Bonanza and Chapman........but the set most used, is the Brownell's Master Set.
Hope this helps.
They come in a LOT of different sizes so that you can find the perfect fit for each screw. They are a MUST if you don't wanna bugger up every slotted screw on a gun.
Look at an older gun, if you see a slotted screw that doesn't have a STRAIGHT smooth slot.....that means someone used a regular screwdriver that did not fit properly!
I have two of these master sets, one at work and one at home and I use them pretty much every day. $180.00 and worth every penny.
"Every gunsmith knows no two screw slots are ever exactly the same. Because so many factories use outside vendors for screws, slot sizes can vary, even within the same model of gun. If you want to be professional about your work, you custom grind each bit to the correct size, a frustrating and time-consuming task without a Super Set. Magna-Tip Bits feature TRUE hollow-ground bits which transmit all the energy of torque evenly and smoothly, up the shank of the bit. Not only does hollow grinding permit this power transfer, it also gives complete metal-to-metal contact between the tip of the bit and the entire screw slot. Thus, maximum power can be exerted. The 58 Bit Master Super Set Plus adds 10 hex-head bits (#185-9, #185-10, #185-00, #185-0, #185-1, #185-2, #185-3, #185-4, #185-5, #185-6), 3 Phillips-head bits (#440-1, #440-2, #440-0), and a 1/8"" square bit for Remington buttplates to the contents of the 44 Bit Super Set Plus. It's the most incredible screwdriver system you will ever use!"
NO
They are termed gunsmith's screwdrivers and also called Hollow ground screwdrivers.
You can research Hollow ground screwdrivers to get the idea.
If you are a gun tinkerer or a carb mechanic get yourself a set.
Midway also sells some at a reasonable price.
"Gun screws are cut with slots that have squared edges. Normal screwdrivers are tapered and can damage gun screws by putting excessive pressure on the top edges of the gun's screws. The hollow ground gunsmith screws are cut so that the tips have parallel edges where the screwdriver bit meets the screw slot. This places more surface area of the bit in contact with the screw slot and resists damaging the screw."
I have a set of Grace Gunsmithing Screw Drivers that I use frequently for changing grips and working on my Italian Single Actions and Black Powder Revolvers.
This $50 set is probably all I really needed though.
However, the price on that auction seems high when you can buy an 8 piece set for less:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007075186?pid=621146
I agree with @Ricci.Wright for the Brownells set. Then add the thin bit set for the narrow slots.
I have the large Wheeler set because it has some specialty bits that the Brownell's set doesn't. I use the S&W rebound spring tool quite a bit (see what I did there..😉), as well as the punches. Pretty handy, and quite a bit cheaper.
https://www.wheelertools.com/gunsmithing-tools/wrenches-and-screwdrivers/89-piece-professional-gunsmithing-screwdriver-set/562194.html#start=1