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Hello!
What modern screwdriver kit and brand works for proper disassembly and service of 1894 rifle 38-55 (circa 1900-05), please??
THANKS!
.r
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Brownells Magna-Tip Super Set (58-bit master set)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I concur. They used to sell a thin bit set too. Now I can only find the empty thin bit box and tray? If someone wants to know what bits came in mine I can let you know. This set is a must in my opinion.
Chuck said
This set is a must in my opinion.
Nice to have without doubt, but I think the 58-bit set is major overkill. All those useless hex & Phillips head bits? I have the standard 22-bit set & also the thin-bit set, but what do I use most often? My 50-yr old Chapman set bought the first yr it was advertised, though I have replaced several of the smallest size bits, the ones most likely to twist or chip.
Actually, however, looks like Brownell’s is forcing customers to buy the largest set, as all the standards sets are out of stock. What’s up with that?
clarence said
Nice to have without doubt, but I think the 58-bit set is major overkill.
Maybe but I would rather have more than less. I sure you have had to modify one for some special purpose. I made a couple boxes to hold both sets and a lot more. I even use them on things other than guns. Here is the one I built for myself. I’ve been too lazy to finish it.
Ive been using the Brownells screwdriver set for the past 20 years, with screwdriver numbers # 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, & 13 being all that I needed. My dad had one of the Magna Tip sets, but I didnt like them because they were magnetized and the bits were more apt to get lost. Looking at the Brownells site today, the screwdrivers have become quite spendy to purchase at $12 each.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
A friend of mine had a large Winchester collection, a couple bad screwdrivers, a bottle cold blue, and the need to take his guns apart and clean every bit of age off. After his death I appraised his guns, I could see every cold blue spot and every screw he ever turned. If he would have bought a good set of gunsmith quality screwdrivers, never bought the cold blue, and not taken things apart that didn’t need it, the family would have gotten thousands of dollars more when they auctioned his 350 guns.
I buy good screwdrivers and try not to use them. I try not to be the first person to turn a screw that Winchester was the last to turn. A screw that hasn’t been turned on a gun is rare. T/R
Chris, I like screwdrivers best and have an 8 pc. set from Forester. These kits are easy to carry around. I keep one in the house and one in my cleaning/range box. Since I have many different kinds of guns I need some of the modern hex and allen head bits. Hell some of the allen wrenches are metric. Torx are a must. Magnetic tips are nice for me especially on the smallest screws. Keeps me from dropping the bits or screws and with alignment. The Chapman sets are OK but I don’t like the fat collar that the bits fit into. It gets in the way many times. Small pistols require the thin bit set more often than the Winchesters.
Chuck said
The Chapman sets are OK but I don’t like the fat collar that the bits fit into. It gets in the way many times.
But you don’t have to use it if bits are inserted directly into the handle, as I do. What is invaluable for a screw that hasn’t been loosened in a century is Chapman’s reversible ratchet & not just because you can apply greater torque–being able to use one hand to hold the bit down in the slot & the other to apply torque greatly reduces the chance the bit will twist out of the slot & gouge the surrounding metal.
TR said
I buy good screwdrivers and try not to use them.
That is the best policy of all!
clarence said
TR said
I buy good screwdrivers and try not to use them.That is the best policy of all!
Without a doubt, a fine nugget of wisdom.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
clarence said
TR said
I buy good screwdrivers and try not to use them.That is the best policy of all!
It certainly is.
Clarence, I have a Chapman set too that I carry in my range box.
The magna tip sets now sold by Brownells are for modern guns. I believe they start with the #3 thickness blades. The set I have, I purchased in 1981 and it starts with the #1 thickness blades. The thin blades are still available but have to be ordered individually. Times are a changing. One major mistake lots of people do is: NOT cleaning the bottom of the screw slot before attempting to turn, I very carefully use a dentist steel pick, NOT an automotive one and remove the crud from the bottom of the screw slot to make sure the screwdriver blade is fully engaged in the slot. This is another reason screws are buggered, even using the proper bits. If one is attempting to turn stubborn screws, spray them with Kroil from both sides if you can, a couple times a day for a few days and try again. This does make a difference.
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
One major mistake lots of people do is: NOT cleaning the bottom of the screw slot before attempting to turn, I very carefully use a dentist steel pick, NOT an automotive one and remove the crud from the bottom of the screw slot to make sure the screwdriver blade is fully engaged in the slot. This is another reason screws are buggered, even using the proper bits. If one is attempting to turn stubborn screws, spray them with Kroil from both sides if you can, a couple times a day for a few days and try again. This does make a difference.Erin
Yes, the Kroil makes a difference WITH time–days, not hours. Brownell’s once sold a better product called Tasgon, but hasn’t been available in yrs as far as I know.
One more helpful thing in addition to cleaning the slot–tap the screw head smartly with the bit or a brass punch to break the bond of any corrosion or dried oil turned to varnish.
clarence said
One more helpful thing in addition to cleaning the slot–tap the screw head smartly with the bit or a brass punch to break the bond of any corrosion or dried oil turned to varnish.
Yes! I insert the bit in the slot and tap the end of the bit with a brass hammer, it DOES help.
Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
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