Chapman MFGChapman MFG 9600 Starter Slotted Screwdriver Set - 20 Pieces - Includes 14 Slotted Head Insert Bits, 2 Phillips, Mini Ratchet, Screwdriver Handle, Extension + Open Slots, USA Made (Yellow Case)

I bought the smaller kit as allen keys did not seem to be worth it to me. First off, I generally hate these type of kits with a drive handle and a variety of tips that fit into the handle or extension. Usually the slop in the various pieces is annoying to me. I find it very difficult to use for any type of work as first you must take up all the slop in the adapters. I cannot speak to other gunsmith type kits (such as Wheeler) as I do not have any of them but I can tell you that Chapman makes a superb set. Don't get me wrong, everything fits together easily but the tolerances are close. Anyone who appreciates good tools will appreciate this set. Putting the screwdriver together winds up with something very close to a one piece screwdriver.Chapman spends a great deal of time in the instructions talking about the strength of their bits, or adapters as Chapman calls them, and the proper usage. I can't say for sure but I would guess that the biggest reason anyone would break these bits ("adapters") is because of the gunsmith who installed the offending fastener. I have run into many so called gunsmiths, including those who write "How to Gunsmith" books, and haven't found any of them that understand Loctite products. I have had a great deal of experience with Loctite products and their R&D groups and their understanding of their products clearly exceeds any gunsmiths'. Every gunsmith I have ever visited and every gunsmith book I have mentions thread lockers and to use only one formula - the blue 242. If you go to Loctite's web site you will see that they recommend that locker for 1/4 to 3/4" fasteners. If you use it on a smaller fastener, it will cure and make removal extremely difficult. This is a great way to break a screwdriver tip, break a screw head off, or both. Generally, Loctite 290 the green locker that can be applied after the fastener is assembled, should be used on smaller diameter screws. I don't actually have any firearms with fasteners larger than 1/4" (6 mm). I don't know for sure, but I would guess that a lot of these supposed "frozen" screws were installed by a gunsmith who couldn't be bothered understanding the materials he is using. I see no reason why a Chapman bit would fail with any fastener properly installed on a firearm if it were properly torqued to begin with and used the correct thread locker. If you have some firearm that you feel recoils so heavily that small diameter fasteners must be installed with Loctite 242 (which I personally can't imagine) then don't complain that the screw is difficult to remove. I am not sure you are going to get it out without the assistance of a drill press anyway.I was happily surprised by the quality of the kit, made in the USA doesn't always mean superior quality, but the materials and workmanship in the kit I received are first rate. I would have no hesitation recommending this product, or any Chapman product, to anyone.

I recently purchased a Taurus 605 revolver and I was looking forward to disassembling it and cleaning it up. The big problem I ran into was removing the three side screws (the screws on the revolver's side plate). With the screw drivers I had on hand I couldn't get the cylinder release screw (located between the cylinder and trigger) to budge ... leaving me fearful that I would damage the screw if I fiddled with it any more. Same problem with the other two side plate screws. Once the Chapman set arrived I found removing all three of these screws was a breeze ... and all three came out easily with no forcing at all. It was a great relief and I was amazed how well Chapman's set worked. Because after reading some of the comments complaining of weak bit material ... resulting in failed bits ... I was afraid I might run into that problem too based on the difficulty I had originally with the screws. But that wasn't the case at all. It left me thinking again how nice it is to have the right tool for the job. So I found the Chapman set to be excellent and am very glad I purchased it ... and would purchase it again in a heart beat.And as a side note for anyone who might own this type of Taurus revolver ... the #90 Chapman bit perfectly fit the revolver's cylinder screw and the Chapman #89 bit perfectly fit the other two smaller side plate screws. These bits literally removed these screws as if there was no problem with them at all. I actually still can't get over how easy the screws were to remove with this screwdriver set. So I give the set five stars with no hesitation at all.

Sue here. This set of Chapman screwdrivers came highly recommended by a training school for people who work on sewing machines. I have recently taken upon myself projects of returning antique, treadle sewing machines to working order. So many of the screws that I needed to remove were very badly damaged by people using screwdrivers that did not fit, and they applied so much pressure that they actually made it impossible for me to follow up and get those screws out without taking drastic measures. These screwdrivers fit the head of each of the screws that I've had to remove perfectly and they are wonderful to work with. If you are working on sewing machines or you have worked on them you know how important it is not to damage the screws otherwise you may not be able to find a replacement, especially if the highlight of your projects is 113 years old. I recommend these to anyone who needs a quality set of screwdrivers.

This is a good starter set especially when combined with the "G-Pack with spinner" That way you have all of the basic size slotted screw heads, 2 phillips heads and metric/standard hex heads that will fit most all modern firearms without any duplication of heads. Adjustments needed to be made to set screws for "adapters" to fit into the extension shaft and for the shaft to fit into the handle. One of the previous reviews complained that there was not a allen head included to fit the set screws but there was one in this set so easy to make necessary adjustments. One slotted head ground rather short. Haven't yet gotten in touch with Chapman to get replaced but based upon other reviews of Chapman customer service don't expect any issues. Very happy to be able to buy a quality USA MADE set.