Gunsmith's Screwdrivers ?

[rancidtom]

I've made my own similar to those you can buy and I've also modified Stanley and Wera screwdrivers to fit correctly with diamond files or slow wet grinding so there's no need to anneal then re-harden and temper. I've found the old pre WW2 to 1960's Stanleys to be probably the best (toughest) steel around, some of the modern stuff even from quality manufacturers doesn't hold a candle to the old steels. Some people say it's because of various bombs going off that contaminated post war steels however I just think the post 1960 steels are usually inferior possibly because of other contaminants in recycled steels. I'm not a metallurgist I just know enough to get by to heat treat carbon and alloy steels without destroying them. Wera seem to be around the best of the modern steels for screwdriver and hex bit manufacture.

[bighit]

hollow ground tips is what you need, it fills the screw in the full length of the tip that's in the screw.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51o7zKYQpVL.jpg


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r0wBdYah_V...river_tips.jpg

[Airsporter1st]

Just be aware that if you buy the expensive turnscrews, its not the end of the story; you still have to grind them to fit any given screw. The advantage being you can get an exact fit.

The set of screwdrivers Richard linked to are better - no grinding, but expensive.

The Pachmayr set is a better bet for diy use, though. It has a good number of hollow ground bits (plus others) so you can use the one with the best fit.

[oldcurmudgeon]

Google Chapman screwdriver sets, everything you need in one box.

[RichardH]

Just be aware that if you buy the expensive turnscrews, its not the end of the story; you still have to grind them to fit any given screw. The advantage being you can get an exact fit.

The set of screwdrivers Richard linked to are better - no grinding, but expensive.

The Pachmayr set is a better bet for diy use, though. It has a good number of hollow ground bits (plus others) so you can use the one with the best fit.

Expensive but two sets are nearly 10 years old, used daily and good as new.

Turn-screws are for cased sets not for serious use.

[venoman]

Wheeler make gunsmiths screwdriver set , you can get different size sets. I have used them for years with no problems.

[thisisdonald]

+1 for the bsquare set. I have this and for the price they are excellent. A good variety of hollow ground bits and the extras.
I have a browning auto 5 which has screws with very thin and wide slots - this set works a treat. I think it's about 30 quid

[angrybear]

Brownells sell Bondhus sets which are usually good gear.
You could try looking for "Aircraft quality" tools from general suppliers but they tend to be way pricy as does anything marked for Aircraft use.

[Solvo]

Wheeler make gunsmiths screwdriver set , you can get different size sets. I have used them for years with no problems.

I picked up a set of these from 1967spud (reloading supply website) last year.
Excellent set with a bit for every occasion and the option to use them with torq drivers.

Also very friendly chap runs the site, top service.

[Vernal]

I have a Chapman set, American made but I got it from someone in UK (Sorry, cant remember who). Fairly comprehensive set of hollow ground bits, but I still occasionally find a screw I can't match. For guns which I strip regularly I try to fit screws with allen heads wherever possible - saves loads of hassle.

[MartynB]

I have a Chapman set

Me too, bought in the early 80's and still have them

[rhyslightnin]

I've made my own similar to those you can buy and I've also modified Stanley and Wera screwdrivers to fit correctly with diamond files or slow wet grinding so there's no need to anneal then re-harden and temper. I've found the old pre WW2 to 1960's Stanleys to be probably the best (toughest) steel around, some of the modern stuff even from quality manufacturers doesn't hold a candle to the old steels. Some people say it's because of various bombs going off that contaminated post war steels however I just think the post 1960 steels are usually inferior possibly because of other contaminants in recycled steels. I'm not a metallurgist I just know enough to get by to heat treat carbon and alloy steels without destroying them. Wera seem to be around the best of the modern steels for screwdriver and hex bit manufacture.

It's actually true Tom... Pre nuclear steel commands a high price because of its non contaminated structure. I remember when they sold an old dry dock gate from Portsmouth naval base for loads of money because it was made from 40's steel. Look here;
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low-background_steel

I'd hold on to those screwdrivers if I were you

[Solvo]

I've made my own similar to those you can buy and I've also modified Stanley and Wera screwdrivers to fit correctly with diamond files or slow wet grinding so there's no need to anneal then re-harden and temper. I've found the old pre WW2 to 1960's Stanleys to be probably the best (toughest) steel around, some of the modern stuff even from quality manufacturers doesn't hold a candle to the old steels. Some people say it's because of various bombs going off that contaminated post war steels however I just think the post 1960 steels are usually inferior possibly because of other contaminants in recycled steels. I'm not a metallurgist I just know enough to get by to heat treat carbon and alloy steels without destroying them. Wera seem to be around the best of the modern steels for screwdriver and hex bit manufacture.

The pre war steel is valuable only in the science industry.
It does not posses magical mechanical strength; it lacks radioactive contamination.

Steels which were produced and stored in a protected way (under water) prior to 1945 have a lower level of background radiation in them, this is vital if you are building instruments which are highly sensitive to radioactivity.

If you want a great read then look into the German Imperial fleet which the British captured at the end of WW1.
the fleet was interned at Scapa Flow and scuttled by the german crews - Some of it is now on a trip into the depths of universe, it has been used for high precision instruments for decades and was the source of the steel used in the construction of the Voyager spacecraft.

[rancidtom]

It's probably that I notice the differences in post 1960's steel related to pre- and immediately post WW2 that are maybe more due to manufacturing and refining differences. These days we have numerous special recipe steels claimed to be better than traditional carbon steels. Chrome, vanadium, molybdenum, nickel, tungsten, titanium and other elements added to iron to supposedly make it longer lasting, hold a better edge, be more corrosion resistant, less brittle, tougher... I do think quite a lot of it is marketing hype as I can make a screwdriver from a bar of tool steel that will perform as well as some of the expensive "best ever" screwdrivers you can buy with all their fancy alloy claims.
Correct fit and profile of the blade, finish is important too as grinding/filing marks can be a useful aid to help prevent cam-out but the hollow ground profile is the biggest contributor to anticam-out. It also extends the life of the screw head.