Clean Your Screwdriver Tips

[Merkava_4]

Before

After

The Machine

In the first picture, the #2 Phillips has a silverish color metal transfer from driving screw heads. The second picture is after undergoing the cleaning operation.

I'm hoping you can tell the difference. These are the best pictures I can take without a tripod; I don't have a tripod yet.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I just use my pants.

 

[Merkava_4]

That metal transfer is stubborn; the Dremel is the only way I've found so far that works.

 

[jhn9840]

Looks great in the after picture. Do you clean them this way after every use or just when needed?

jhn9840
John

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Has anyone found any decent bits, that the wire brushes don't fly apart in use?


I've used different ones on hand planes, and you really need a face shield.

 

[Merkava_4]

Looks great in the after picture. Do you clean them this way after every use or just when needed?

jhn9840
John

About once a year or sooner if needed. The metal build up on the tips can make them lose grip.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The best thing to do is use replaceable APEX tips, when they get worn, you chuck them, and they have grooves formed into them, ACR (Anti-Camout on Removal) which helps them stay in the screw. You use a magnetic tip screwdriver made to take the interchangeable tips such as the Snap-On SSDMR4B.

The other thing you can do on a really tight screw to make the tip stay in the screw is to fill the head of the screw with Clover valve lapping compound. This abrasive makes the screwdriver tip stay in the screw and sometimes works wonders for you.

Charles

 

[bmwpower]

In the first picture, the #2 Phillips has a silverish color metal transfer from driving screw heads. The second picture is after undergoing the cleaning operation.

I'm hoping you can tell the difference. These are the best pictures I can take without a tripod; I don't have a tripod yet.

I think you just polished the specially coated/laser etched tip.
I'd be worried I'd actually change the shape of the tip.

 

[ImportTuner]

I just use a small wire brush ... seems to work ok ...

 

[eschoendorff]

The best thing to do is use replaceable APEX tips, when they get worn, you chuck them, and they have grooves formed into them, ACR (Anti-Camout on Removal) which helps them stay in the screw. You use a magnetic tip screwdriver made to take the interchangeable tips such as the Snap-On SSDMR4B.

The other thing you can do on a really tight screw to make the tip stay in the screw is to fill the head of the screw with Clover valve lapping compound. This abrasive makes the screwdriver tip stay in the screw and sometimes works wonders for you.

Charles

'tis what i do. I get the Apex/Snap On bits off the truck. I do need to get some of that valve lapping compound though....

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I think the biggest cause of screws camming out is people using the wrong sized screwdriver.

 

[DiStOrTiOn]

That is actually a problem I've been coming across lately. I dislike the screwdriver bits, I really, really prefer having an individual driver for each type of screw. Now that I know how to clean them, my drivers will be just like new. Thanks for the tip!

 

[toolfreak]

I just break them and give them to the snap on man. That is the easy way to do it.

 

[Uncle Buck]

The only time mine get cleaned is when there is something like hardened bondo or dried paint or something like that on the blade. Mine get the wire wheel on the bench grinder when needed!

 

[Stuey]

I think that this is the first proof that we have that Merkava actually uses his tools!

 

[Junkman]

I think that this is the first proof that we have that Merkava actually uses his tools!

Nah......... that is just a used screwdriver that he picked up cheap and wanted to clean it before it contaminated any of his other pristine unused tools, in his display cabinet tool box.....

 

[Fedwrench]

I think he borrowed someone else's screwdriver and offered to clean it before returning it. I can't see him using any of his screwdrivers enough to warrant a wire brushing. It's a good tip though. I never really thought about metal transfer on screwdriver tips before. Aside from a wipe down or a bath in the cuda, that's the only cleaning mine get.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

That is actually a problem I've been coming across lately. I dislike the screwdriver bits, I really, really prefer having an individual driver for each type of screw. Now that I know how to clean them, my drivers will be just like new. Thanks for the tip!

I love screwdriver bits for:
Electronics (My pc's, with a cheap, magnetic, ratcheting screwdriver)
Woodworking (can go from Phillips to Robertson, quickly)
Impact drivers,
and once in a GREAT WHILE (ultra tight spot), automotive.

Normally, give me a regular screwdriver.

But, I would have NEVER even thought of trying this on bits. I will have to try it, so I don't have to run out for another impact bit again.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'd be worried I'd actually change the shape of the tip.

No worries ... the wire brush is no where near as abrasive as you may be thinking; it's a very fine wire brush.

 

[Uncle Buck]

No worries ... the wire brush is no where near as abrasive as you may be thinking; it's a very fine wire brush.

I think you need to get after them with a bench grinder like me!

 

[hamburglar]

The best thing to do is use replaceable APEX tips, when they get worn, you chuck them, and they have grooves formed into them, ACR (Anti-Camout on Removal) which helps them stay in the screw. You use a magnetic tip screwdriver made to take the interchangeable tips such as the Snap-On SSDMR4B.

Charles

That's what makes sense to me, too. Although you might as well go for the set:

http://www.kell-strom.com/tools/cooper/apex/apexpg10.htm

(Oh no!!! More of that ugly Wera stuff!!!)

 

[Merkava_4]

Charles (in GA)

I'm about to blow your mind because I've got some insert bits with surface rust that need cleaning too.

 

[krusty the clown]

sounds like you need to put some dessicant bags in your box.........

 

[Merkava_4]

sounds like you need to put some dessicant bags in your box.........

Everything facing upwards will look like someone sprinkled paprika on them after winter is over.

 

[krusty the clown]

dessicant bags will absorb the moisture...........maybe a dehumidifier will work best for you

 

[Merkava_4]

It's weird ... I can't see the speckled rust unless it's dark and I shine a flashlight on them.

 

[Itzkwik]

It's weird ... I can't see the speckled rust unless it's dark and I shine a flashlight on them.

Must be some tricky rust if ya gotta sneak up on it.

 

[Merkava_4]

Must be some tricky rust if ya gotta sneak up on it.

....................................................

 

[Lightning]

The Whia Dura screwdriver bits are very good quality. The fits is very good and the steel is good quality.

 

[wrenchr]

I have to spray my tools with WD-40 for the winter.

 

[eschoendorff]

The Whia Dura screwdriver bits are very good quality. The fits is very good and the steel is good quality.

I have a set of Hilti bits and I though that I heard ir read somewhere that Wiha made the bits for Hilti. If this is the case, then yes, Wiha makes some excellent bits.

 

[russlaferrera]

It's weird ... I can't see the speckled rust unless it's dark and I shine a flashlight on them.

Have you tried ....Snap-On tool wax with non skid tip formula ? Made for screwdrivers. It's made to stop rust and create a better non slip anti cam out action.

If you put a magnet in the tool chest it will attract the rust particles ....naw ...even I cant sell that BS!

 

[Junkman]

Russ........ the non slip wax is for the screwdriver handles. There is a special valve grinding clear paste that is used on the screwdriver tips to assist in keeping the screwdriver located in the head of the screw. Can't imagine that you were not aware of these facts.......

 

[Moose-LandTran]

So is there really a Snap-on wax for the handles among other crazy over-priced concotions?

I'm confused as hell..

 

[eschoendorff]

Nah... Not really

 

[Danglerb]

I think the biggest cause of screws camming out is people using the wrong sized screwdriver.

I 100% agree, but if you look in a high quality set of screwdrivers, like a gunsmith uses, there are something like 50 "sizes" of small blade screwdrivers. Getting a good really tight fit may not always be a practical option for most people. I've at least gotten so I don't crank on a sloppy fitting screwdriver, but if its just a bit of encouragement I'll see how it works.

I also prefer a normal screwdriver to a bit, but bits fit in all my specialty handles that ratchet, or apply more torque, so frequently a bit is the only practical choice.

 

[Merkava_4]

The fillister head with their deep slots are the style heads I like the best. You don't have to worry about slipping out of these because your screwdriver blade sinks way down inside them. Some of you guys may have recalled seeing them on carburetors.

 

[eschoendorff]

They also sell Phillips Plus screws at Lowes....

Much deeper Phillips recesses... and it comes with ACR drivers. Worth a look...

 

[logical]

The Whia Dura screwdriver bits are very good quality. The fits is very good and the steel is good quality.

Speaking of Wiha (about a quarter of my tools are Wiha) and stripped screw heads.....these anti-cam-out (ACO) screwdrivers are one of my favorite tools.

http://www.wihatools.com/400seri/469serACOsL2.htm

 

[wrenchr]

Speaking of Wiha (about a quarter of my tools are Wiha) and stripped screw heads.....these anti-cam-out (ACO) screwdrivers are one of my favorite tools.

http://www.wihatools.com/400seri/469serACOsL2.htm

I'm surprised Merkava liked these!! I figured they would make noise like flank drive wrenchs!!!