screw driver bits

[two bit okie]

Having boogers some screw heads im my mods, I was hoping that some of our members could give the bit numbers so that I can order the hollow ground bits to put the new screws in properly. these would be for grip frames actually. any help appriciated.

 

[rkrcpa]

Brownells sells a kit with all the properly sized tips needed for a Ruger single action. I believe they have kits for S&W revolvers also.

 

[Anonymous]

I have the Wheeler Engineering bits. Their bit number 11 will fit everything on my Single-Six except the sight screws.

Number 11 is .180 (3/16) X .035.

Number 11 fits everything on a Bearcat except the hammer pivot, which is number 16, .210 (1/4) X .040.

They have a special bit for the Ruger base pin latch nut. The center is missing to clear the exposed screw end.

I wish Wheeler had a chart available showing all the bits with dimensions. I can't find one on their website. Midway's site does give the dimensions, when you look up each bit individually!! I did, and made my own chart. Then I measured all my screw slots and bought only the bits I needed and a handle.

 

[Pinecone]

Get a "good quality" kit, like Wheeler Engineering, Brownell's, Chapman, etc. The chinese bits are "soft" and you not only chew up the screws but the bits also as some of the screws are also soft!....................Dick :wink:

 

[flatgate]

I usually use "moderate quality" individual screw drivers from "Schmoe's Hardware and Paint". I grind them to fit the screws on my guns.
I keep them "tuned up" so they do not mess up the screw heads.

flatgate the cheap-skate

 

[Anonymous]

This might help somebody. A chart I made of which Wheeler Engineering bits fit what screws on my guns. Copied and pasted from Microsoft Word, so it kinda loses the chart format:

Bearcat

Ejector Housing – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screw - 5/32 X .035 Bit 7
Hammer Pivot - 7/32 X .040 Bit 16
Trigger Guard - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Trigger Pivot - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11

Mark III

Front Sight - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screws - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Elev. - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Wind. - 3/16 X .020 Bit 1
Receiver Filler – 3/32 X .032 Bit 3

Single-Six

Ejector Housing – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Frame Screws – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Front Sight - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screw - 5/32 X .035 Bit 7
Rear Sight Elev. - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Wind. - 3/16 X .020 Bit 1
Trigger Guard – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11

Wheeler Screwdriver Bit Dimensions
(Six digit numbers are Wheeler Catalog #)

Bit 1 # 152-854 - .112 (3/32) X .020
Bit 3 # 235-314 - .112 (3/32) X .030
Bit 6 # 566-361 - .150 (5/32) X .030
Bit 7 # 183-148 - .150 (5/32) X .035
Bit 9 # 727-536 - .180 (3/16) X .025
Bit 11 # 616-759 - .180 (3/16) X .035
Bit 16 # 165-664 - .210 (7/32) X .040
Ruger Base Pin Latch Bit - # 663-569

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

Wow, thanks Bearcatter! You don't by any chance work on Marlin 1895's too do ya?

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, thanks Bearcatter! You don't by any chance work on Marlin 1895's too do ya?

I don't really "work on" anything, but try to take care of what I have. So I wouldn't know what fits anything not in my signature here.

I measured my slots for width and thickness, then went through the individual bit listings on Midway to get the bit dimensions. Saved money, and space in my "tool box", getting only the bits I need. And, ordering individuallly, you get 3 of each bit in a package (except the base pin latch bit). Spares if you happen to bend or crack one. Judging by Midway's feedback on these, they are the best bits made.

I missed my Bobcat on that list. A Bobcat (or Tomcat) grip screw takes the number 9 bit

 

[SAJohn]

I am with Flatgate.

 

[Anonymous]

I used good quality, but flea market bought, drivers years ago. Regular screwdrivers are tapered. Just pick one that is too thin for the slot, and file off the end until it fits. But it's only touching the top edges and bottom center of the slot. I did get by okay that way.

Better drivers are hollow ground, where the blade thickness stays the same. That way they fill the slot. Much better support and far less likely to bugger either screw or driver.

Figuring out which bits I actually needed, and a handle, set me back about $60, and I get spare bits that way to boot. The Wheeler set is $90, I'd have one of each bit, 3/4 of which I'd likely never use.

One kick I have with Wheeler's bits. Besides not having a chart for the bit dimensions (can be looked up, one bit at a time, on Midway), their bits are only marked with the six digit catalog number. They should have the bit number on them.

 

[Cracker-American]

I had a set of Irwin wood handled screw drivers modified a la Flategate. Got them in 1971. Somewhere along the way they wore out, got used for other screws, or lost.

I am not good enough on a grinder to do it myself so I now reley on a set from Brownells.

 

[Hammerdown77]

This might help somebody. A chart I made of which Wheeler Engineering bits fit what screws on my guns. Copied and pasted from Microsoft Word, so it kinda loses the chart format:

Bearcat

Ejector Housing – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screw - 5/32 X .035 Bit 7
Hammer Pivot - 7/32 X .040 Bit 16
Trigger Guard - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Trigger Pivot - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11

Mark III

Front Sight - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screws - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Elev. - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Wind. - 3/16 X .020 Bit 1
Receiver Filler – 3/32 X .032 Bit 3

Single-Six

Ejector Housing – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Frame Screws – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Front Sight - 3/16 X .035 Bit 11
Grip Screw - 5/32 X .035 Bit 7
Rear Sight Elev. - 3/16 X .030 Bit 6
Rear Sight Wind. - 3/16 X .020 Bit 1
Trigger Guard – 3/16 X .035 Bit 11

Wheeler Screwdriver Bit Dimensions
(Six digit numbers are Wheeler Catalog #)

Bit 1 # 152-854 - .112 (3/32) X .020
Bit 3 # 235-314 - .112 (3/32) X .030
Bit 6 # 566-361 - .150 (5/32) X .030
Bit 7 # 183-148 - .150 (5/32) X .035
Bit 9 # 727-536 - .180 (3/16) X .025
Bit 11 # 616-759 - .180 (3/16) X .035
Bit 16 # 165-664 - .210 (7/32) X .040
Ruger Base Pin Latch Bit - # 663-569

Little late to this discussion, but I was looking for EXACTLY this information. Thanks a lot, bearcatter!

This should be a sticky, if not already.

Incidentally, these are the Brownells bit numbers that come in their Ruger SA specialty bit set.

150-4 (.150 x.035)
180-3 (.180 x .030)
180-4 (.180 x .035)
210-4 (.210 x .035)

The bits for the frame screws are longer so that you don't mar the top of the back strap with the screwdriver when removing the top screws. Also, this kit comes with a long allen head bit for the Bisley.

 

[louiethelump]

I like the Chapman kits. Comes with a very wide variety, and you can order a few of the odd ones that don't come in the set very cheaply.