Chapman MFG #1000 Mity Master Set
See:
https://chapmanmfg.com/
I was interested in USA made products so I decided to try bits from Chapman Manufacturing. Although I like these bits, understand that the bits differ from the standard bits as sold by almost everyone else.
I decided to not buy Wadsworth (see
https://wfmc.shop/) because they require a spline drive to use the bits. Great set if you do not want to use other drivers. The Chapman bits are usable with other drivers if desired.
The bits are not your normal bits because:
- Each bit has a knurled end that limits what drivers can be used with these bits (see my compatibility comments below), but allows for finger tightening. This is more useful than I expected.
- Each bit has a ball detent for better retention. Yeah, it works and is needed because they do not use magnets. I think that this is a better system... until you want a magnet to grab a screw. No magnet is better with some electronic equipment.
- Slotted bits are hollow ground with parallel tips so you are less likely to damage a screw. These sets are highly used by people (such as gunsmiths, furniture makers, artisans, etc) when they want the screws to look pristine without damage. Grace, PB Swiss, and Lie Nielsen (high end wood working tools) also have parallel tips. My Craftsman, Vessel, Stanley, Tekton, Wera, have a triangle type slotted tip.
- The bits are designed to bend or break before they damage the fastener; so check the designed strength for each bit, which is included in the box and it is mostly obvious after look at the sheet.
- Each bit has a shoulder between the 1/4" hex drive and the business end of the bit. This provides a positive stop for the drivers preventing the bit from passing through a 1/4" hex opening. I measured the shoulder to be 0.277"
The set is packaged in a plastic case as shown below:
The case is available in dark green, red, orange, and yellow. Bit rails are easily removed / replaced. Bit can be purchased so you can fill your own bit rails with bits of your choice. Standard bits will fit in these rails but they will sit lower.
Each bit has a ball detent. If the “ball” is facing the bit-rail wall, it is held more firmly in the rail. I have nod had a bit fall out in any orientation.
All bits are 1/4" hex bits, similar to the PB Swiss C6; if you ignore the knurled end. The following bits are included in the #1000 Mity Master Set:
- Phillips : PH1, PH2, PH3, PH4 (labeled P1, P2, P3, and P4)
- JIS : JIS 1, JIS 2 (labeled CP1 and CP2)
- Ball mm : B 3.0 mm, B 4.0 mm, B 5.0 mm, B 6.0 mm, B 8.0 mm (labeled B with size)
- Ball SAE : B 1/8, B 9/64, B 5/32, B 3/16, B 7/32, B 1/4, B 5/16 (labeled B with size)
- Hex mm : 1.27, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8 mm (labeled by size only)
- Hex Inch : 0.050, 1/16, 5/64, 3/32, 7/64, 1/8, 9/64, 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 5/16 (labeled by size only)
- Torx (Star 6pt) : T6, T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30, T40 (labeled with an S)
- Robertson : S1, S2, S3 (labeled 61, 62, and 63).
- Socket Adapter bit, labeled 24, allows you to use 1/4" sockets.
- Slotted : 1/8, 5/32, 3x3/16, 7/32, 2x1/4, 3x21/64, 2x3/8 (labeling is unusual and listed below)
Each bit is labeled, but for some the label is confusing, this is especially true for the slotted bits, which are labeled as shown below. The list has the label, the blade width, and the blade thickness as shown below:
- 88 (.125" x .023") = (1/8" x .023")
- 89 (.160" x .030") = (5/32" x .030")
- 90 (.190" x .025") = (3/16" x .025")
- 92 (.190 x .030) = (3/16" x .030")
- 25 (.190" x .037") = (3/16" x .037")
- 26 (.230" x .037") ≈ (7/32" x .037")
- 93 (.250" x .025") = (1/4" x .025")
- 17 (.250" x .037") = (1/4" x .037")
- 95 (.328" x .030") = (21/64" x .030")
- 96 (.328" x .037") = (21/64" x .037")
- 91 (.328" x .050") = (21/64" x .050")
- 97 (.375" x .025") = (3/8" x .025")
- 98 (.375" x .037") = (3/8" x .037")
The set does not include all available bits. Not included in the set:
- slotted bit labeled 19 (.375" x .050")
- Slotted bit designed to remove grips from a 1911 type .45 handgun.
- Security Torx (T8 – T30)
- Bristol 6 Flute Spline bits
- Reed and Prince / Frearson bits
- Metric slotted bits, nice for European machinery
Our 1/4" Drive Screwdriver Handles are roughly 3.5" long and 1" diameter. Available with or without a set screw. Set screw is adjustable with our CMS-3 .050 Allen hex insert screwdriver bit and enables you to lock an extension or a bit in the handle. Handles are to be used with Chapman insert...
chapmanmfg.com
One black and yellow handle (CMH-3) driver is included with the kit. Other handles are available including black, Slim ESD, and Stubby. A black handle is available with a set screw that can lock a bit or extension into the handle. The set screw uses a 0.050" Hex bit (included in the set) to loosen and tighten the set screw.
Spinners and Palm Ratchets
Two cheap plastic spinners are included in the set; one round, one triangle shaped. The spinners are $2.50 each and they can provide a little extra torque hardly affecting clearance. I have used these and it is nice when you need just a little more torque than you can get with just the bit.
The spinner is great for impossible to reach screws or turning delicate fasteners (especially using #88, 89, 90 on firearms). Chapman spinners are designed to be used with Chapman precision screwdriver bits. While they may fit other 1/4" Hex drive screwdriver bits, they are not guaranteed to...
chapmanmfg.com
Not included in the set is the PR-13 Palm Drive ratchet (PR-13). This is a 20 tooth non-reversible palm ratchet. This replaces their “famous” CM-13, that I know nothing about. The spinner has decent back drag and works OK. One side is labeled “IN” and the other is labeled “OUT”. To screw something in, you insert the bit so that the business end says out so that while using it the word “IN” is staring back at you.
A new way to ratchet is here! It has the same 1/4" drive 20 tooth gear as our famous CM-13 mini ratchet is 1.75” in diameter. This new mini ratchet is easy & fast to drive fasteners in or out by simply flipping to reverse direction. The PR-13 has all metal components. The case is stamped on each...
chapmanmfg.com
I purchased the version without a case for $16.
The kit includes two extensions, the E2 (2 inch) and the CME-1 (3-5/8 inch). Also available are the E6 (6") and the E8 (8") extensions. The 3-5/8" extension is available with, and without, a set screw; same as the handle with a 0.050" hex head set screw. You must loosen the set screw to fit a bit or extension into the extension. They sell extra set screws.
3 5/8" length bit extensions are available with or without a set screw. Set screw is adjustable with CMS-3 .050 Allen hex insert screwdriver bit & enables another extension/bit to be locked in the extension. The E2 2" extension is not available with a set screw. Made in Durham, CT from USA...
chapmanmfg.com
The extensions have the same knurled end as the bits. Extensions can be inserted into other extensions, handles, spinners, ratchets, and palm ratchets.
Bits and extensions bottom out in handles and extensions when the knurled end hits the back of the handle. Extensions stop in ratchets, spinners, and palm ratchets when the “lilp” on the bit hits. Long extensions have two small protrusions that stop the ratchets and spinners (see the top example in the picture above). They include a spacer that is round on the inside that hits the protrusions stopping the spinner just under the ball detent. The spacer prevents ratchets and spinners from going all the way down to give you an extra 3/4" reach by preventing the ratchet from going any lower. Because this extension is round, it spins.
On the surface this feels a little silly, but, by allowing this extra space, you can put a ratchet onto a longer extension, place the back of the extension into a handle, and then use the ratchet to turn the driver. OK, so not as silly as I thought it was when I first received the kit.
My experience with the Tekton mini ratchet (2888) and Pittsburgh 92630 right angle screwdriver, I expected the small Chapman (not reversible) bit ratchets to work poorly. I was wrong. The 20 tooth Chapman bit ratchets are a huge improvement, but are not awesome. They are more usable and can really get into tight places while holding onto the bits very well. The handle labels “IN” and “OUT” complete with arrows pointing in the proper direction. I was disappointed that these are not usable with standard bits (see compatibility below).
The kit comes with a black dipped (CM-13) ratchet with a textured handle that holds well in the hand. They also have Yellow and Blue, but those look like they are not textured so are probably slippery. These are currently selling for $8, now that is a great price. I would have one in every car if these were usable with standard bits.
A classic tool with a comfy twist! Our new dipped mini ratchets have a grippy coating for added comfort and grip for wet or oily hands. Chapman dipped ratchets are small and lightweight for tight spaces with quality made for smooth ratcheting action. Made, hand assembled & inspected in Durham...
chapmanmfg.com
There are painted version of these ratchets for $10. The painted versions are available in Silver, Blue (and silver), Black (and silver), Red (and silver), Orange (and silver), and Flame Treated. I bought an orange ratchet.
Our famous CM-13 stainless steel mini ratchet provides about 200 in lbs of torque with a 20 tooth gear and an 18 degree working arc. Customers tell us that this "is the ratchet used to feed lube through a Lyman lube and sizer" Made, hand assembled & inspected in Durham, CT from USA materials.
chapmanmfg.com
Normal bits do NOT work with Chapman drivers, spinners, or ratchets. Chapman does not use magnets to retain bits and extensions. This is intentional for use with sensitive electronics. Non-Chapman 1/4" hex shank fit into the tools, but without a ball detent they are not retained (they fall out). Even worse, most bits go straight through the ratchets and spinners because they do not have a raised lip like the Chapman bits. So the ratchets and spinners are only easily usable with the Chapman bits with the ball detent.
Chapman bits work with some other products. A rule of thumb is that anything with a back end like the Tekton mini ratchet (2888) and Pittsburgh 92630 right angle screwdriver will not work. If the driver can work with a double sided bit, it probably will work, but most bit drivers and handles are too shallow:
- PB Swiss PB 451 M magnetic bit holder, handles, and ratcheting screw drivers. Nope
- 6 point 1/4" shallow socket. Nope.
- LTT Ratcheting screwdriver Nope
I did have some success:
- Tekton ratcheting screw driver. Yes
- Chinese SK handle with a strong magnetic. Works but shallow.
- Tekton comfort grip handle bit driver. Works but shallow.
- SK Deep 6 point1/4" socket. Yes
- ICON Locking flex head & ratchet bit set. Bit Ratchet yes. Handle end extension Works but shallow.
- Gearwrench 1/4" drive 6" 72 tooth bit ratchets. I tested with the 6" and 12" flex-head 81025 and 81030 ratchets. Yes
- Megapro 15-in-1 drivers. Yes. This uses regular size double sided bits.
- Megapro Amigo. Works but shallow. This uses short double sided bits.
- RolGear ratcheting screwdriver. Works but shallow. Best back-drag ever, try one of these.
- Craftsman 47480 10-in-1 screwdriver. Yes. Uses double sided bits.
- Craftsman CMHT68129 Ratcheting Screwdriver (SpeedDrive) with 2" doubled ended bits. Yes.
I had not previously used a handle or extension with a locking set screw, and most of my single sided bits do not have a ball detent. I love how well these bits are retained even without using the locking set screw. This is my goto set for sensitive electronics or anything were bit retention is really important; ever lose a bit down a car air duct?
Depending on use, buy a few extra handles; it is nice to have a few different bits ready to go but this still takes less space than multiple full sized screwdrivers.
I had to place another order because I realized that there were a few extra bits that I wanted. Also, this set might replace my Grace screwdrivers designed for woodworking and firearms.
Now if only they would create specific bits designed to work on hand planes. I think that Lie Nielsen is the only place that sells these.
This is a nice set, but you will not be dropping these bits into an electric screwdriver (or similar) I think.
Now I need to decide what to look at next.
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For 5/16 hex bits: