Disappointed with B-Square Screwdriver Set - what are your experiences ?

13 April 2002, 22:31

carcano91

Dears readers,
this is the text of the email which I have just sent to B-Square's customer service. I shall keep you informed when and how they answer... let's see .

In the meanwhile, I would be interested in your own experiences. Is this just an occasional lemon, or are other B-Square screwdriver sets as bad as this one ?

12th of April, 2002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I have recently purchased a B-Square product and am so thoroughly dissatisfied with the low quality of this specific item, and with several specific manufacturing flaws, that I wonder whether I just accidentally might have stumbled upon a rare "lemon", as may always happen with any manufacturer.

In the latter case, please let me know whether you would be able and willing to exchange for a better specimen.

The product in question is the "Gunsmith's Screwdriver Set". The faults of the item included a severely crooked screwdriver shaft (not axial to the grip), a grip cap the threads of which do not engage the inside threads of the hollow grip, because the grip inside was already cracked when I opened the sealed package, and blade bits which wobble around in the too-large shaft opening of the screwdriver.

I would appreciate any helpful and service-oriented response and remain as a first-time customer

yours sincerely

(address)

Email: carcano91@hotmail.com

14 April 2002, 00:06

SDS

I had similar problems: the shaft wasn't straight, the grip cap strips and won't stay tight, and the bits are made out of soft steel. One of my Torx bits crumbled like it was made out of stale pastry. At $14.00, I think it was a bad deal: if that's the only screwdriver you brought on your trip and it quit on you, you'd lose a lot more than the cost of the screwdriver. A company with a reputation has to constantly maintain that reputation.

14 April 2002, 01:24

Alex Szabo

How many times are products, goods or services 'marketed' with a specific packaging in mind? The vendor was probably offered so many units at a greatly reduced cost in order to receive an order at a discount. The vendor thought to pass the 'savings' on to their clients.

Sounds as if the expectation was precision )becuase of the venue) as associated with tools (i.e. Starret etc), but instead received a Nagasaki 'Nut Bucket'!?

I had a similar experiance with tools recently using these hex 'bits' (not from this vendor). It was a torx tip (#50) wherein it crumbled like stale bread when applied to the workload. The second time, it snapped like a piece of celery. You see, most OEM's make these cheap item(s).

Good lesson that goes back to 'buyer beware'. Unfortunately, what we do not know collectively is, which OEM make hex variety bits which have precision based on the quality of the materials and longevity as a result.

------------------
Best regards,
Alex

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote! - Benjamin Franklin 1759

14 April 2002, 03:33

R Flowers

Yeah, my B-Square screw driver set was pretty much junk as well.

First of all, hardly any of the bits in the set fit any darned thing. I thought it was designed for use on guns?

And after darned little use, the handle separated from the shaft and I had to use copious amounts of super glue to get it back together.

Not a good product, in my opinion.

R Flowers

14 April 2002, 05:34

Sheister

OK, well it seems that the consensus is that the B-Square is junk. I've had a couple problems with a set I bought from Midway and another set I bought from a gunshop- both marked "Gunsmith Screwdriver sets".
So, who makes a really good set and where can we get one? I'm just getting tired of dealing with this junk, even though I paid pretty good money for a few of them. Breaking tips, tips that don't fit, etc... is really getting old. Who makes those great sets my gunsmiths use on their bench? TIA- Sheister

14 April 2002, 10:08

<Doc in Texas>

I got mine from Midway as a free gift and it has been nothing but a problem child. I e-mailed B-square and never got a reply. I sent mine back to Midway and they gave me a $15.00 credit. At least Midway was good about it.

Doc

14 April 2002, 10:59

<Antonio>

I have one of the sets from Brownells and they have worked fine so far.

Antonio

14 April 2002, 14:55

LoneEagle

I have never had the (dis)pleasure of using one of the sets you mention. Buy Brownells Magna-Tips. They are worth the money. Sean

14 April 2002, 16:34

tsturm

quote:
Originally posted by R Flowers:
Yeah, my B-Square screw driver set was pretty much junk as well.
First of all, hardly any of the bits in the set fit any darned thing. I thought it was designed for use on guns?
And after darned little use, the handle separated from the shaft and I had to use copious amounts of super glue to get it back together.
Not a good product, in my opinion.
R Flowers

DITTO on the JUNK!!!!

14 April 2002, 18:30

<Lefty223>

FWIW I started w/ the B-Square set, but also had the damn end cap fall off. Stripped threads?? Christ they're undersized by a long shot !!

That said, I bought Brownell's empty Magna-Tip box and added some Magna-Tip allen head & Torx sets to the mix. At least for me I've had no problems with the B-Square bits ... maybe it was a bad batch you got??

FWIW my WORST experience with alleged gunsmith screwdrivers was an expen$ive 12-piece set by Forster. Within a month 3 of them broke and I wasn't crankin' on 'em either! They were so hard they were brittle. I worked in aerospace then and had the broken ones hardness tested.

I sent the broken ones back to Forster with the Rockwell report and they REFUSED to refund any money or even replace a single darn tool!! To the end of my days I avoid anything they make ... if they, and only they make a tool I think I might need ... I'll do without it, the bassturds :-( !!

[This message has been edited by Lefty (edited 04-14-2002).]

14 April 2002, 18:36

downwindtracker2

Here is the heresy,use a magnetic tip screwdriver,almost any will do,buy a handful 1/4" power srcewdriver bits and 1 1/2 "x 1/2" die grinder grinding wheel at a industrial supply.Do not buy them at your local hardware store or home center.Use the grinding wheel in a drill press to size.

14 April 2002, 22:12

HiWall

I have a Chapman set, 24 bits which I chose from a vast available range, shaft, handle and ratchet gizmo which fits on the shaft. Top quality hollow ground flat bits, torx, hex and philips head drivers. The only small problem is that it is sometimes difficult to get to some screws due to the collar on the shaft which holds the bits. Also has 1/4" drive for sockets. Really good gear but expensive. ($140Aus)

15 April 2002, 01:36

Big_R

The best mag tip screwdrivers I have used, and I use a lot for my work, are made by two companies, Magna and Xcelite. I've never been able to break a tip, but that can be bad since the tips make sure the screw breaks before they do. I know Xcelite is available through Techni-Tool, but I don't know who carries Magna anymore, maybe Grainger or MSC.

15 April 2002, 03:45

Phantom Duck

Sorry to hear this. Just ordered one from Midway. Oh well the girlfriend needs a screw driver set.

15 April 2002, 03:58

<eldeguello>

The B-Square certainly isn't a Brownell's!! But it didn't cost as much either. Mine's OK for general screw-driving, and for guns I use the bits in a Brownell handle!! The bits seem OK.

15 April 2002, 04:03

savageshooter

I've had good luck with individual bits from McMaster-Carr. Always appear to be good quality, and I've never broken the small torx bits. Don't know about sets though.

15 April 2002, 15:59

<sure-shot>

For slot screws I've used a Forster set for years. Its decent. sure-shot

15 April 2002, 16:15

Pecos41

Wow, thanks for the post, guys. I've been thinking I should order a set of these screw drivers from Midway. NOT NOW! Saved by the bell.

16 April 2002, 09:35

aHunter

I use Magna tips and handles acquired from Brownellï¿½s.

They are good.

Hermann

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15 April 2002, 23:34

Mark

I have found the best variety and quality bits are from the various mechanic tool-vending trucks. Snap-On, Mac, Cornwell, etc. Just go to your close local garage and ask when the tool vendor guy comes. Bits will be as reasonable as anywhere else and you can get them in a wide assortment of sizes, even ones that fit scope rings, or #0 phillips.

For handles don't forget about Craftsman also, but I have just a bunch of different handles floating around. One nice thing is to use a large handle when you are using it on tiny screws, you can hold it with your fingertips and you have a lot better feel than when you use a smaller handle.

16 April 2002, 02:42

Need Just 1 More Gun

I have found the Hoppe's multi-bit screwdriver to be pretty handy and durable. it will hold about twelve bits in the handle, which makes it pretty versatile, and comes with a "T" handle adapter so that you can really torque a screw down. I would like to get a Brownells set for my workbench though.

19 April 2002, 11:33

TGetzen

You should take a look at the Black & Decker kit -- a ratcheting screwdriver, about thirty bits including Torx 1 & 2, #s 6 - 8 - 10 regular, and phillips, in a decent case, for about $15 at Home Depot. The bits are so tough they will strip out hardened #2 phillips drywall screws.

I haven't found much from B-square I've liked in the past, except their crossbolt drilling jig. They probably outsource much of what they sell, as someone else pointed out, so quality will vary.

Todd

19 April 2002, 13:08

<JohnT>

You get what you pay for!!!

I have a B square unit & they are fine for the $14 bucks I paid for them at Midway. I also have a Chapman set but they cost more than double for less than half the bits but they do appear better made.

Depends what you want them for too. For occasional use to remove stock from action etc they are fine. If you want more I understand from my gunsmith the set from Forster is excellent but you'll pay for it too. As it should be.

Regards,
JohnT

19 April 2002, 15:06

300H&H

I have a B-Square set and they have worked fine so far. Their quality control must not be very good since there seem to be a lot of bad sets out there. I have heard that Brownell's are some of the best, and if I have any problems with the B-Square ones I'll get Brownells.

20 April 2002, 22:55

DEPUTY450

I have a Chapman bits that I won as a door prize at a pistol match. I have had these for 20+ years and they look like new. I would recommend these to anyone...

My 2 cents....

21 April 2002, 14:53

Red Label

Ditto on the Chapman set, excellent quality all around.

cheers, Mike

22 April 2002, 13:08

djd

[This message has been edited by djd (edited 04-22-2002).]

23 April 2002, 15:11

Atkinson

I have never seen good screwdrivers, I spend a few hours each month recutting and re tempering all of them..but I grind them a lot..

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

24 April 2002, 14:25

Antlers

I have a set and concur - junk!

24 April 2002, 20:15

Eterry

Get the magna tip from Brownells, I have had a set for 14 years, and have broke a couple, my fault, but it is well worth the cost.

Good luck and good shooting