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| Article by R.Ted Jeo | |||||||||
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You want to see something pitiful? Take a look at the scratch on my Carcano carbine below. Wanna guess how it got there? |
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Something like this can be avoided by using the correct size and type of screwdriver. Enter the Wheeler Engineering Professional-Plus screwdriver set. This is a well thought out set of screwdrivers and adapters that anyone working on rifles and pistols ought to think about getting. The set comes with a total of 54 hollow-ground flat bits, 8 Allen bits, 4 Phillips Bits, 3 Torx bits and 15 specialty bits. Also included are two different length no-slip handles and a sturdy box to hold all the goodies in place. What Wheeler did was measure the screws on over 100 antique and modern firearms and came up with a selection of bits to fit the greatest variety of screws. In addition, they included some very useful specific mil-surp bits. |
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Two of the very uniquely useful mil-surp bits included in the kit |
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Other specialty bits include Weaver, Ruger, Redfield, Millett and Glock scope ring, windage, and sight adjustment bits. There is also a selection of pin punches in .062”, .093” and .118” widths. |
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The set comes packed into a handy case that holds all the bits and adapters in place. It also includes a well for keeping small parts. |
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A critical step in taking out screws is to make sure that the screw is clean and corrosion free. You can use a pick or a small brush and solvent or, if the screw is corroded, some penetrating oil. To select the correct bit for the job, Wheeler recommends that you first determine the slot length, using either a caliper or by comparing with the nine families of bits in the set. Choose the bit best fits the length as to spread the rotational force over the maximum surface area. Do not select a bit too wide, as it will damage the firearm around the screw head. Next, determine the width by comparing with the set bits. The bit should fit all the way to the bottom of the slot. |
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Correct size (width and length) is critical as not to do any damage to firearm or screw. |
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Examples of dinged up screws caused by using the wrongly sized bit. (l to r) Bit too thick and wide for screw, bit too wide, bit not deep enough. |
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I found the kit to be extremely useful and very practical to take apart any of the mil-surps that I own (let alone work on any modern firearm). Gone are my days of trying to get a bit to “sort of” fit. As you may or may not know, Wheeler Engineering is one of the Battenfeld Technologies group of companies. It just shows how dedicated this company is to the shooting community. The Wheeler Engineering Professional-Plus Screwdriver Set is available from MidwayUSA (#439-523). Midway does offer a dealer discount for C&R licensees. |
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| Article by R.Ted Jeo |
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