driver bits for hobby gun work

[sksshooter]

the more i find myself tinkering with different firearms the more i find that i don't have appropriate bits for every fastener. example this weekend i took apart a couple of old glendfield model 60's to clean up. there are several different sizes of slotted screws. while i have a decent tool selection i found that i could have used some tighter fitting flat blade driver bits. likewise on the torx bits the t10 and t15 sizes i have broken several trying to remove screws. i have been pulling from my milwaukee bit sets as i break those sizes and they just don't seem to last. finally on the allen wrench side, i do have a pretty comprehensive set of 1/4" socket drive bits however that set resides in my shop in the large toolbox. i would like a solid set of bits for those as well.

Can anyone reccomend a decent "gunsmithing" bit set or just a solid set that would work for this application? i'm not doing this professionally its just for my personal use so i'm not necessarily looking for the snapon option of tools here but i would like some better quality than what i'm using which is a combination of wheeler and milwaukee as stated above.

 

[AlNyhus]

It's a little bit of coin but all you'll ever need. I've had mine for over 15 years...love it.

BROWNELLS MAGNA-TIP 58 BIT MASTER SCREWDRIVER SET

Check out BROWNELLS MAGNA-TIP 58 BIT MASTER SCREWDRIVER SET available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[LVLAaron]

It's a little bit of coin but all you'll ever need. I've had mine for over 15 years...love it.

BROWNELLS MAGNA-TIP 58 BIT MASTER SCREWDRIVER SET

Check out BROWNELLS MAGNA-TIP 58 BIT MASTER SCREWDRIVER SET available Online at Brownells Today and many more Screwdrivers & Sets products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

100% this kit. Lives in the top drawer of my tool cabinet. I use it every day.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I have had Brownells and Snap-on bits for a long time. Just for a cheap range use kit I grabbed a Wheeler Engineering kit, made in Taiwan (not China). Those bits are actually stronger than the others I have. Hate to say it. And no I am not affiliated with Wheeler engineering or I wouldn't be a lathe monkey.

 

[ricco1949]

Wheeler kit has served me well

 

[LVLAaron]

Is Lathe Monkey an upgrade or downgrade from greasy gun plumber?

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Is Lathe Monkey an upgrade or downgrade from greasy gun plumber?

Label it anyway you like, its all the same thing.

 

[Fast14riot]

Another vote for the Wheeler. I have a small kit that lives in my rifle case and it works excellent. For Allen keys, buy American made so they're true to size and hardened. I have a pile of cheap Chinese allens with rounded tips.

 

[Preacher]

Last I knew Brownells replaced any you managed to break, maybe not true these days, but I only ever broke 2 of them...

 

[cavedweller60]

I think preacher is right, Brownells replaces broken bits but, I have never tried to get them warrantied because, to me they are more or less consumables. If I damaged them, I was doing something I shouldn't have been. Chapman makes nice sets and they too, are warrantied for life.

 

[Sniperhandle]

I have had Brownells and Snap-on bits for a long time. Just for a cheap range use kit I grabbed a Wheeler Engineering kit, made in Taiwan (not China). Those bits are actually stronger than the others I have. Hate to say it. And no I am not affiliated with Wheeler engineering or I wouldn't be a lathe monkey.

Believe it or not, The Icon brand from the Fruit Boys, Which are made in Taiwan, Are very high quality. You have to look carefully most of them are Taiwan, But some of them are Chinese. But the stuff I have bought with the Icon brand I would put up there with the top stuff.
I have lots of Snap On stuff, And these days it just isn't worth it to me anymore since some of it to is also Chinese.

My Blue Point Ratchet wrench set is made in Taiwan and pretty nice, I've had them for at least 20 years.

 

[LVLAaron]

Believe it or not, The Icon brand from the Fruit Boys, Which are made in Taiwan, Are very high quality. You have to look carefully most of them are Taiwan, But some of them are Chinese. But the stuff I have bought with the Icon brand I would put up there with the top stuff.
I have lots of Snap On stuff, And these days it just isn't worth it to me anymore since some of it to is also Chinese.

My Blue Point Ratchet wrench set is made in Taiwan and pretty nice, I've had them for at least 20 years.

No lie detected. ICON stuff is a hell of a deal. And 10x the quality Craftsman was when it was still the OG sears brand

 

[sksshooter]

Thanks for the leads guys, the brownells set looks pretty nice but the deal breaker is the price point for what it is. It doesnt include any torx which is the majority of what optics and mounts require these days. Im leaning towards just getting the larger wheeler set which looks to include the assortment of flat blade bits along with all of the others and then maybe just buy an extra pack of t10 and t15 bits for backup. Also considering getting a set of t-handle torx for removing screws and reserve the bits for installation with the torque wrench.

I do have some icon tools myself and am pleased with the quality of the items i have. I particularly like the mini ratchet/bit set and keep it in my work backpack which goes most places with me. Between that set, some mini channeloks, and a leatherman titanium i can cover most basic stuff when im out and about or in the office. I did however snap the t10 bit off on one particularly difficult screw that took out my wheeler torx and a milwaukee first. I then pulled out a 1/4" socket drive gearwrench and broke it finally getting the screw out with an old set of flip out torx i forgot i had.

 

[Sniperhandle]

All of them will snap off, Even Snap on, Kind of an oxymoron.

I have the Brownells, The Wheeler, An old Chapman Gun Screwdriver set and a full set of Grace Gun Screwdrivers, The Wheeler set has a lot more bits and for the price is pretty good, Yes I have twisted some of them off, But it was the very thin flat blades and I have twisted off Snap On ones too.

Plus the Wheeler has a Mauser recoil cross bolt nut tool.

 

[TXJM]

I think preacher is right, Brownells replaces broken bits but, I have never tried to get them warrantied because, to me they are more or less consumables. If I damaged them, I was doing something I shouldn't have been. Chapman makes nice sets and they too, are warrantied for life.

Love my Chapman set. Even has Phillips that fit my tohatsu outboard properly.
Very nice sets available.
Chip

 

[tobnpr]

Whatever you get- make sure the blades are hollow-ground.
Tapered blades will eff up any tough-to-remove screw you run into.

 

[Kurz]

This is the style and brand I use for the Torx drivers:


They fit in my hand while turning in those little screws.

Im leaning towards just getting the larger wheeler set which looks to include the assortment of flat blade bits along with all of the others and then maybe just buy an extra pack of t10 and t15 bits for backup. Also considering getting a set of t-handle torx for removing screws and reserve the bits for installation with the torque wrench.

The Wheeler sets will serve your needs just fine, although I started out with the Brownells sets originally. There are probably various sets in my shop positioned for easy access on several benches. I have a large master set which goes with me when I travel to shoot.

It's a process not one final decision. Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.