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Thread: brownells screwdriver handles

  1. #1
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    brownells screwdriver handles

    clip tip , law enforcement , hollow ? sounds like they are all magnetic and the hollow handle is just storage (that i dont care about ) law enforcement is smaller . Do you like the clip tip? have i got any of this wrong?

  2. #2
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    I know I’m slow, but I don’t understand what this is all about.
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    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master zymguy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Grinch View Post
    I know I’m slow, but I don’t understand what this is all about.
    mostly im asking clip or no clip

  5. #5
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    I don't think the clip tip is magnetic. I never had a Brownell's clip tip, but every other clip tip handle I ever used very much eventually broke one of the clip fingers off.

    I like the law enforcement handle for most small arms use, although sometimes you do need the bigger handle. Not really a fan of the hollow handle type, I do have an old S-K that I use fairly often.

    If there was one halfway between the large size nd the aw enforcement size, I would like to have one.

    Robert

  6. #6
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    The Clip Tip is non magnetic. It's nice when a mag tip causes issues with tip jump and picking up odd stuff. It also holds the bit from pulling out of the handle, nice to have with Allen bits.
    The Law Enforcement handle is mid size and real handy. The Stubby handle is just that, sometime a bit too stubby to be really useful. A slightly shorter LE handle would be nice.

  7. #7
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    Following comments only about Brownell's screwdrivers. Mostly I use the 'law enforcement' magnetic tips, I have a couple clip-tip handles for the occasional instance where the magnetic tip is moving small parts or springs during assembly, have not had any problems with clip-tip breakage. The clip tips are not magnetic. I prefer the solid handles, the caps on the hollow handles get lost or sometimes broken, sometimes a tap on the screwdriver handle will help seat the driving bit and/or loosen a too tight or corroded screw. I haven't used the hollow handle for 'storage' of bits or anything else. Commonly used bits can become magnetic but seldom create problems. The magnetic drivers will occasionally pick up very small springs, pins, and screws causing a frantic search when part is hiding on driver shaft, don't ask how I know this.

  8. #8
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    Products seem to change with time. I've had a Brownell's screwdriver set (handle with removable bits) for many years, and the bits are not magnetic. I wish they were, as I have a couple of other screwdrivers that are, but they don't fit everything. When dealing with tiny screws a little extra retention by the magnetism and being able to retrieve them from awkward places (like down inside the action) can come in very handy. I'm not familiar with the clip tips. Years ago, when they first appeared on the market, the screwdriver handles with multiple bits were innovative. Brownell's was the one most in the eye of the gunsmithing circles, but I doubt if they originated the idea. Today there are many good sets available from several different companies that feature the hollow ground bits preferred in the trade. As the years have passed I have acquired several different sets, most recently one from CDNN that runs around $29 and comes in a nice wooden chest. They are probably made in China, but they work well and there's a good assortment of bits. They're a little shorter than Brownell's bits. Another thing to look for, and you may not find these in all sets, are bits for the Allen-type screws, square drive, six and eight pointed "stars" some of which use specially made little hex wrenches, but for which screwdriver bits are also available.

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    DG

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    Quote Originally Posted by Der Gebirgsjager View Post
    Products seem to change with time. I've had a Brownell's screwdriver set (handle with removable bits) for many years, and the bits are not magnetic. I wish they were, as I have a couple of other screwdrivers that are, but they don't fit everything. When dealing with tiny screws a little extra retention by the magnetism and being able to retrieve them from awkward places (like down inside the action) can come in very handy. I'm not familiar with the clip tips. Years ago, when they first appeared on the market, the screwdriver handles with multiple bits were innovative. Brownell's was the one most in the eye of the gunsmithing circles, but I doubt if they originated the idea. Today there are many good sets available from several different companies that feature the hollow ground bits preferred in the trade. As the years have passed I have acquired several different sets, most recently one from CDNN that runs around $29 and comes in a nice wooden chest. They are probably made in China, but they work well and there's a good assortment of bits. They're a little shorter than Brownell's bits. Another thing to look for, and you may not find these in all sets, are bits for the Allen-type screws, square drive, six and eight pointed "stars" some of which use specially made little hex wrenches, but for which screwdriver bits are also available.

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    DG
    Hot glue a magnet to the bottom of the socket, most are about 1/4" so a 6mm magnet should work. This should be able to magnetize the tips well, if not run them through a magnetizer too (or first).
    https://www.amazon.com/Neodymium-Mag.../dp/B096FF7142

    https://www.amazon.com/Delcast-Magne.../dp/B00PBCDRN4
    Last edited by Omega; 07-29-2021 at 01:01 PM. Reason: Add pic
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  10. #10
    Boolit Buddy rkrcpa's Avatar
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    I like the law enforcement handle for most gun work but keep a full size handy just in case.

  11. #11
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    I dislike clip tips immensely. They are too hard to remove except with pliers. I'm referring to the Brownell's drivers. I've got two magnetic handles and one clip tip handle that came with the set. It stays in the bench tool box. The other two are always out on the bench at hand.
    John
    W.TN

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    Any handle will work fine. What we need is, a selection of wide bit blanks. I've ground every one of my Brownell bits over the years to fit various firearms. There is a sad lacking of wider bits, though. I've ended up with making a lot of my turn screws to fit specific firearms.

    You can probably go to Harbor Freight and find a set that will do everything a higher priced set will do.
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by waksupi View Post
    Any handle will work fine. What we need is, a selection of wide bit blanks. I've ground every one of my Brownell bits over the years to fit various firearms. There is a sad lacking of wider bits, though. I've ended up with making a lot of my turn screws to fit specific firearms.

    You can probably go to Harbor Freight and find a set that will do everything a higher priced set will do.
    Probably do something the higher priced ones won't. Break under a little pressure.
    John
    W.TN

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by alamogunr View Post
    Probably do something the higher priced ones won't. Break under a little pressure.
    You need the proper balance between hard enough to do the job, yet still able to bend or even break before damaging the screw. Like you, I’ve had less-than-great luck with cheaper brands, but feel pretty good with any bit from Apex, or from a reputable dealer like Brownell, Chapman, or even Wheeler. YMMV!

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  15. #15
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    Most of the Chapman and Brownells bits are made by Apex, Wheeler is part of Midway so who knows.

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