Gunsmithing Need high quality 1/4” bits

[JimmyH]

I’m sure I’m not the only one that has found the 1/4” bit sets at Lowes, Home Depot, etc to be less than adequate when it comes to strength/quality. Same goes for a very popular bit set a lot of us have in our shooting bags.

I’ve had bits snap off, others (Torx) twist up, and other bits have the edges get worn down very quickly. These bits are all for personal use, mainly hand driven, and are the proper size for task. All of the places of purchase are very accommodating to replace bits but I’d really like to not have to go through this damage-replace cycle and have back up sets of bits just in case.

Anybody have any recommendations for professional grade 1/4” bits? I’d like to build out my own set for my range bag and another master set to keep at home.
Thanks, Jim

 

[padom]

Look at McMaster Carr

 

[JimmyH]

Thanks will do
Jim

 

[missed]

I buy the Wera brand from KC tool they hold up well in the shop. They are still consumables in my mind. T15, T20, T25, T27, 3, 4, 5mm usually only last a month or so in the shop and there headed to the scrap bin. There used every day with power tools.

 

[JimmyH]

I’ll check them out too. Thanks
Jim

 

[Easy_E]

http://www.shooterstools.com/

I bought a torque wrench set from here and the bits are made in America and work great . We sell all the common brands at work Dewalt Milwaukee etc and none of them are as nice as the bits in the Borka set .

 

[pmclaine]

These guys intrigue me…..

Speciality Screwdriver Sets Made in the USA by Chapman Manufacturing

Chapman MFG - Made in the USA for over 80 years, Chapman provides a variety of screwdriver sets for industrial assembly, maintenance, home repairs, and more. From our famous mini ratchet to our Master set, you will surely find the right fit for your precision job!

chapmanmfg.com

 

[Gustav7]

I've bought a few individual allen and torx bits from McMaster Carr and they arrived as Wiha bits, which have been very nice. Bought a little small range bag tool kit from Wiha that uses a 1/4" driver and a bunch of common sized bits. Has been awesome. all the bits are good snug fits on quality screws and haven't rounded one off yet. They're much more likely to round off shitty screws that are loose fits.

 

[prebancolt]

I've bought a few individual allen and torx bits from McMaster Carr and they arrived as Wiha bits, which have been very nice. Bought a little small range bag tool kit that uses a 1/4" driver and a bunch of common sized bits. Has been awesome. all the bits are good snug fits on quality screws and haven't rounded one off yet. They're much more likely to round off shitty screws that are loose fits.

You won't get much better than Wiha.

 

[jetmd]

Wiha is great as others have mentioned.

Another brand is Apex, they make quality bits also.

 

[RedRockCharlie]

I've been very pleased with the Fix It Sticks bits and tools. Top quality and perfect fit. You can buy the bits individually or in sets from their website.

 

[missed]

We used to use Whia till KC tool stopped carrying them. We did get a bum batch from Whia a few years back, but they were all replaced with no hesitation. The Wera has been lasting a little longer than the Whia was.

 

[n2ishun]

Stahlwille
Wiha
Hazet
Beta
Notice a trend ?
All are european tool companies.
They are vastly superior to american made....sad to say, but true.

 

[Hybridhunternm]

I went through a bunch of different brands when I had an older scope mount stuck..tried a wiha set and it made it through and they keep going strong. I haven’t tried some of the other higher end stuff but I went through the normal dewalt, Milwaukee, etc brands quickly. I’ll continue to add wiha tools to my arsenal

 

[TheOE800]

Wiha has outsourced to China on some stuff, hard to tell what’s what now. Wera, Stahlwille, are my go to for euro brand tools.

 

[JimmyH]

Great info guys! I appreciate it.
Jim

 

[ma smith]

Lots of goob brands mentioned all ready, I'll +1 on Apex, Snap-on, PB Swiss, Stahlwille. Most of mine are european brands now, but USA is good if you get the highest grade like Apex or Snap on, etc but then again you are paying $$ for that quality.

 

[Gustav7]

Wiha has outsourced to China on some stuff, hard to tell what’s what now. Wera, Stahlwille, are my go to for euro brand tools.

I've seen Wiha at Lowes now, which I'm assuming is outsourced. Everything I've gotten from McMaster Carr has been very solid and is obviously higher priced, so I'm assuming that is not.

 

[prebancolt]

Good info Gustav7. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the <not> Wiha.

 

[ACard]

KC Tool | America's #1 German Tool Distributor

Find quality hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers and insulated tools. Order catalogs and read customer reviews and our tool reviews and comparisons.

www.kctool.com

 

[Brym427]

Matco hyper bits. And theyre lifetime warranty. Even if they just get dull

 

[Near miss]

From Project Farm video:
(Wear resistance is shown on video but the scores are subjective, not measured.)

I know, not 1/4 bits but this data should correlate at some level.