Screwdrivers

[farnorthlbg]

I havent used cheaper 'entry-level' screwdrivers for years as I work on allot of high end Daiwa and Shimano spinners.  Found the cheaper drivers have soft tips and wear out allot quicker, also depending on brand the patterns arent very accurate.

Prefer the European precision drivers over anything they are superior for reel work including my full set of Snap-On drivers which are more suited to mechanics work (bigger, more clumsy and the grips arent very ergonomic).

My top three would be Wiha (mainly because thier grips fit my hand better than the Wera grips), then Wera which is the same quality as Wiha.  I like Wera's 'laser tip' which grips into the screws pattern very well and minimizes slippage when you need to use more torque.  Have been using a full range of all these brands and thats my pick.

For smaller stuff use Wiha's 'Pico Finish' drvers and Nanch.  This 30pc Nanch driver set is absolute precision and very high quality, would reccommend it to anyone....

Also have a full range of Kylin drivers which are also very good quality.  Thier tips are titanium coated and just never seem to wear even after servicing hundreds of reels...

[STRIPER LOU]

Back when I started in Gunsmithing, I purchased the deluxe set of Gunsmith's screwdrivers from Brownells. That was over 40yrs ago, it was a lot of money and then and they certainly haven't gotten any cheaper!

Good tools from them have served me well, but, on this one I have to go along with Mike on the Wheelers set for the best value going. A super assortment of hollow ground blade size's, great Rockwell and temper,
and can be found on ebay as cheap as $35.00 for the 72 pc set.

They look a lot like Chapman's stuff, maybe a bit better, and I think Chapman's just down the road from me.

The Wheeler's kit has fit all the Penn reels I have ever needed to service. Its my second set as my brother borrowed the first one and never returned it!

If your lucky enough to pick up this kit on ebay for a reasonable price, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Best,  ..  Lou

[ReelClean]

x2 on what Realclean said - identify JIS as opposed to PH. You will save loads of screw heads. I found this out back in the sixties working on Japanese motorbikes. On larger screw heads there is some times a little punched 'dot':

https://www.peterverdone.com/jis-cross-head-screws-and-drivers/

But not so on small head screws. If it's Japanese assume it's JIS - Vessel screwdivers/bits are your best bet - some of the Wiha/Wera range also work.
If it's a cross head screw on a Japanese reel I will 'almost' guarantee it's a JIS. IMHO buy some Vessel bits/screwdivers - they are guaranteed to fit
Regular Phillips will cam out!

Forgot to mention:  Hozan is another Japanese tool company that will have JIS bits and drivers.  Popular brand for bicycle tools etc.

[Tiddlerbasher]

JIS technically hasn't existed, as a standard, for something like 10yrs. However the head profile for Japanese/Chinese screws is different to Philips PH.
For PH/JIS size 1/2 or 3 the Vessel bits still offer the best fit - bar none. Over the years, when I played with motorbikes, I tried many makes of screwdriver to find that elusive perfect fit. Klein and Hozan (and many others) make some reasonable drivers BUT they don't pass my test. Clamp a suspected JIS screw (any Asian screw ) in a vice - the test for the screwdriver is will it stay in the screw on its own unsupported - particularly if the screw is at an angle (not vertical). Vessel drivers are the only ones I have found that give this 'perfect' fit - oh and they fit standard PH as well

[Scattergun2570]

I think I am more uncertain than before after so many different responses.

[oc1]

The thing I don't like about screwdriver sets and, especially, the bit sets is that I can never find what I'm looking for.  Having a rag-tag assortment from various manufacturers means you can find the driver you are looking for in the pile.
-steve

[STRIPER LOU]

Steve, the ones I use the most go into a little cup area within the set. The nice part is you can take the screw and run it along the set until you find the correct one. Easy peasy!

...............Lou

[johndtuttle]

I think I am more uncertain than before after so many different responses.

There is no need to overthink it as you are not working on something that requires as much precision as a gun. There, precise fit is essential to prevent marring of the gun's finish. Anything below the $1000+ super spinners is just a simple tool that, with normal care, any decent set of screwdrivers will handle.

You just need something a little better than utter junk, but something well below what a pro reel tech would want. A basic Wiha set or other is more than adequate plus a set of Torx bits and drivers.

[Tiddlerbasher]

Yup - what John said - you don't need precision gunsmithing screwdrivers (ie slotted). Hollow ground slotted bits (like Wiha or Wera etc.) will do a fine job. Just be careful with Asian cross head screws - make sure the driver actually fits. I use Vessels bits and drivers because they reely work better.

[broadway]

I'm with AKfish on this one.  I love my Chapmans and they're reasonably priced as well.
Dom

[Alto Mare]

I have a few sets, some expensive and some dirt cheap.
This weekend I was servicing a vintage reel, screws were verysoft, so I needed to find a screwdriver tha fit nicely.
The one that worked best was a .25 cent screwdriver .
Forget about name brands and use what works best for you.
Just my opinion.

Sal

[oc1]

I agree Sal.  Some old reels have a 'V' shaped slot.  They almost look like the brass screw head was made by splitting it open with a knife blade.  A modern tool will not seat very well so I ground a little junk screw diver to a chisel/knife tip.  It was going to be a quick and dirty short term thing to get one stubborn screw out.  But that little junk screw driver became the one I've used most for the last year or so.  If I'd known I would have started with something that had better steel in it.
-steve

[Rancanfish]

Exactly Mr. Tuttle, (+ others) use what you have, carefully.

My reels are not marred up unless they were purchased that way.  And I'm talking about pristine reels that have I've fished too.  Loaners may not be perfect but clean enough.

[RWS]

WERA LAZER TIP in slot and phillips are a must !!!!!

[Reel 224]

I think everyone knows by now I am sold on Brownells hand tools, I have used them for 45yrs and don't have a bad thin to say and they back there tools 100%.

Joe