Anyone know where to get a good deal on a large set of bits? combo flatheads (thick ones) torx, hex, etc? Do these have to be had via brownells or can money be saved just buying them through northern tool or harbor freight?
Gunsmithing Hollow Ground Bits
- Thread starter kmc0929
- Start date
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
I have use many brands of hollow ground bits, and nothing beats the brownells magnatips.
I have use many brands of hollow ground bits, and nothing beats the brownells magnatips.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know your skill level, but I prefer to custom grind screwdrivers for specific screws. It only takes a couple minutes, and you can achieve a perfect fit. </div></div>
Perhaps my skill level is not sufficient, but I am relatively sure that I could not grind a Torx bit in "a couple minutes".
As previously mentioned, the Brownells bits seem to be pretty good - certainly much nicer than cheap Harbor Freight bits. I would not recommend going cheap on this type of tool; this ain't like hangin' drywall!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know your skill level, but I prefer to custom grind screwdrivers for specific screws. It only takes a couple minutes, and you can achieve a perfect fit. </div></div>
Perhaps my skill level is not sufficient, but I am relatively sure that I could not grind a Torx bit in "a couple minutes".
As previously mentioned, the Brownells bits seem to be pretty good - certainly much nicer than cheap Harbor Freight bits. I would not recommend going cheap on this type of tool; this ain't like hangin' drywall!
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
Has anyone tried the Wheeler Engineering Gunsmithing set? I have seen them advertised at Midway and other places.
Has anyone tried the Wheeler Engineering Gunsmithing set? I have seen them advertised at Midway and other places.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
I have, and i have a set in my range bag as a backup set, but when it comes to bench time they just dont cut it.
I have, and i have a set in my range bag as a backup set, but when it comes to bench time they just dont cut it.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
They can usually be found at ACE hardware, Walmart, Farm and Fleet, and Home Depot in big sets for not too much money.
I have several sets (~7-10), because it seems like you can never have too many around, and probably because they always seem like such a steal.
They can usually be found at ACE hardware, Walmart, Farm and Fleet, and Home Depot in big sets for not too much money.
I have several sets (~7-10), because it seems like you can never have too many around, and probably because they always seem like such a steal.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
I can't say anything to the Wheeler set.
I was given a Chapman set, many many years ago. It was 'ok' for starters, and didn't last long. I then ordered up the good-sized Brownells set, and haven't had a problem since.
There are times when a tip needs to be ground or customized, but I personally have NEVER needed to grind myself a torx bit. They actually come in different sized for a reason.
I also find it good to have some extra bits around that are "sacrificial" and used specifically for grinding and changing. Handy to have an aircraft mechanic friend who has access to the better quality bits.
I can't say anything to the Wheeler set.
I was given a Chapman set, many many years ago. It was 'ok' for starters, and didn't last long. I then ordered up the good-sized Brownells set, and haven't had a problem since.
There are times when a tip needs to be ground or customized, but I personally have NEVER needed to grind myself a torx bit. They actually come in different sized for a reason.
I also find it good to have some extra bits around that are "sacrificial" and used specifically for grinding and changing. Handy to have an aircraft mechanic friend who has access to the better quality bits.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know your skill level, but I prefer to custom grind screwdrivers for specific screws. It only takes a couple minutes, and you can achieve a perfect fit. </div></div>
Perhaps my skill level is not sufficient, but I am relatively sure that I could not grind a Torx bit in "a couple minutes".
As previously mentioned, the Brownells bits seem to be pretty good - certainly much nicer than cheap Harbor Freight bits. I would not recommend going cheap on this type of tool; this ain't like hangin' drywall! </div></div>
To clarify, I was not referring to torx... Although I generally find it necessary to grind torx bits a little shorter so they fit better.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't know your skill level, but I prefer to custom grind screwdrivers for specific screws. It only takes a couple minutes, and you can achieve a perfect fit. </div></div>
Perhaps my skill level is not sufficient, but I am relatively sure that I could not grind a Torx bit in "a couple minutes".
As previously mentioned, the Brownells bits seem to be pretty good - certainly much nicer than cheap Harbor Freight bits. I would not recommend going cheap on this type of tool; this ain't like hangin' drywall! </div></div>
To clarify, I was not referring to torx... Although I generally find it necessary to grind torx bits a little shorter so they fit better.
Re: Hollow Ground Bits
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To clarify, I was not referring to torx... Although I generally find it necessary to grind torx bits a little shorter so they fit better. </div></div>
Yeah, I know - just had to rib ya a bit
But given that I indeed have several firearms that don't even have a single slotted screw, a source of quality bits is probably more important that having a bench grinder and a chunk of tool steel. Whether this is a good thing or not is a topic for some other thread
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turbo54</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To clarify, I was not referring to torx... Although I generally find it necessary to grind torx bits a little shorter so they fit better. </div></div>
Yeah, I know - just had to rib ya a bit
