Gun stock screwdriver

D

Dixie Gunsmithing

Moderator Emeritus
I have a tip for the gunsmiths on here. I just bought a couple of large screwdriver tips, made by Bosch, from Cripes Distributing on eBay. I do not have anything to do with the company, so what you see is there's. The tips run $1.00 a piece, and are perfect for butt stock removal. Use them with a locking extension on a screwdriver.

Do a search for this on eBay to find them:

Bosch 3-3/4" 14-16 Slotted Screw Extension 328246
 
Clark,

Of course you'll pay S&H, but these bits are cheaper, and actually longer than the ones Brownell's have that are similar. At $2.50 a bit, inc. S&H, and for two at $5.00, I thought was a steal. You still have to pay S&H for any you order.

Also, these have a c-clip on them, so one could put a round spacer over them, to center the bit in the screw hole, and it can't slide off the end. I use these with a locking extension, and a T-handle, and they work great.
 
I forgot to add this, but with this distributor, you can ask them for a new total with modified shipping. eBay automatically adds the shipping per each one, but if you ask the distributor, they will recalculate it for you. How much this will save, I don't know, as I didn't do it for those two. I did use it on some other tools, on another order, and it did save some. They mention this the at the bottom of the page.
 
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Yes, eBay's shipping calculator is for the birds on things like this. I ordered a good amount of other tools off these guys, and my real shipping was almost half.

One thing I found, is to use their shopping cart, as once you're done, you can ask the seller for a correct total from there, and the order is put in limbo until they send you a bill. It makes one wonder, though, how many don't catch this, and get burnt, as I almost forgot to mention it myself!
 
Here is what it looks like.

The tip is .050" thick and .458" in dia.
The shaft is .458".
The centering ring is .533"
 

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"I use these with a locking extension, and a T-handle, and they work great." Dixie can you post a picture of your setup you've described. Thanks
 
Waltin,

Yes, I'll try to do it by Sunday.

Really, all I use is a 1/4" drive T-Handle which has a 1/4" square drive to 1/4" magnetic bit conversion socket on it, to accept the 1/4" hex bits. I have a 12" bit extension, with a locking collar, to hold the bit so it can't come out, or the type where you pull a collar back to release them. Irwin makes these, and I think you can get Asian made copies too. Anyhow, I use the bit we're speaking of, with that.

Another way is to use a GearWrench brand ratcheting driver or T-Handle. These are set up to take 1/4" square drive extensions, and also have some long extensions with 1/4" hex bit ends in the kits.

The last is to use a 1/4" sq. drive T-Handle, with a 1/4" hex bit conversion socket. Then, you can use a 12" magnetic bit extension, however, the bit could be pulled loose if it got wedged or stuck.

Here is a locking bit extension by Irwin, but it's a shorter one, as you'll want the 12":


IRW_BM90112 by matneyw, on Flickr

Here is the T-Handle:


t-handle by matneyw, on Flickr

The 1/4" square drive to 1/4" hex bit drive socket looks just like a 1/4 socket, except it has a retainer in it, or magnet to hold a bit in it. Most all the new screwdriver bit kits have one of these with them now, even the cheap ones. The socket by itself generally runs around $3.00 to $6.00.

GearWrench 890002GD Ratcheting Screwdriver 1/4-Inch Drive to Bit Adapter:


Drive Socket Adaptor by matneyw, on Flickr
 
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I have quite a few bits, supposedly made to fit perfectly for gunsmithing. But, I have found a good fit is rare. What I have been doing since time began is using old screwdrivers, many bought at flea markets or wherever, and grinding them to fit my need exactly. Cost is near nothing and the tool is customized.
 
I do not.
Click to expand...

Haha, but Mike, I bet you wished you owned the company don't you?

Actually, I wouldn't doubt if Irwin is not who makes the magna-tip bits for Brownell's. Several years back, I noticed that their handles, and a slew of different bit sizes, which are offered to the public, look almost exactly like Brownell's, as it would take a company like this to supply them. I know they're not Chapman, as they use a totally different bit. However, I believe the Brownell's bits are US made, so it points to someone like Irwin.
 
Rifleman1776,

Even on these, for using them on gun stocks, they are just under 1/16", and may be too fat for some screws, because its up to the gun company whether they followed conventional standards for head sizes. One might still have to grind these too. The good thing about the tooling I use is, if it has a hex head, I use it instead of the screw slot.

Brownell's has an enclosed bit, but in reality, I think they are drag link bits, and to thin a blade, I don't know if you could, since they are recessed into a socket body.
 
Dixie, thanks for clarifying with the photos, I placed an order for the screw tips and once they arrive I'll get my T-Handle. Thanks
 
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