I am assembling a Bowser kit and replacing the cheap couplers with better ones. The problem is I cant grip and drive tiny screws. Has anyone had any experience with the so called slot gripping screwdrivers?
I had the same problem until a modeling friend of mine gave a three prong gripper..Works like a charm with those tiny screws.
I can even start those small screws with that tool.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
Trouble is all of the gripping screwdrivers I find online are too big for tiny screws.
Moses45 Trouble is all of the gripping screwdrivers I find online are too big for tiny screws.
Moses45,
I guess, you did not check out this site,that I posted on your other thread, they have all kinds of tools like you would be looking for.
http://www.micromark.com/emailrequest.aspx
Brouse, the tools,you don't have to join anything.
Cheers,
Frank
Laryy,
Do you know where your friend got the little gripper?
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
mlehman Laryy, Do you know where your friend got the little gripper?
True Value I think but,you can order them from Walthers.I call it a gripper but,its actually a three prong holder.
Walthers Part # 230-203, p. 882 Walthers 2014 HO Scale Reference A scale, $6.95.
Its a very handy tool to have.
I like these, they work good. www.hjjcoinc.com
regards, Peter
Ear wax.
charlie
charlie9Ear wax.
stick glue
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
gregc charlie9 Ear wax. stick glue
charlie9 Ear wax.
I've use chewing gum..Work like a charm.
3M strip caulk (From an auto parts jobber like Napa, dont bother looking at part hucksters like Advance)
Black tacky type strips in a box, will hold screws, stop light leaks inside cabs, stops rattles, lots of uses. 1 box ought to be a lifetime supply for you and your buddies. The possibilities are endless!!
Not as gross as ear wax, wont get hard with age like putties and gum, harder to misplace than any tool. I pull 2 strips out at a time, ball it up and I stick mine to the side of my workbench. 2 strips last me a few years before I have to dig the box out of the garage. (I use it there too!)
Found some on ebay, 5 bucks than Wally World (I'm amazed wally world carries it )
Karl
NCE über alles!
I have a two part solution that works in most cases:
First: Toss the slot screws in the garbage and get some Phillips head (cross head) screws with the same thread, not stainless steel.
Second: Stick a small magnet on the shaft of your screwdriver close to the handle.
The screw will stick quite nicely on the end of the screwdriver without the need to use any condensed bodily fluids, black sticky stuff (although I can see a ton of other uses for that stuff - thanks for the lead Karl) or otherwise. It will stay straight enough to start it in the socket threads.
Using the same technique for slot screws doesn't work because the screw will flip sideways every time.
Actually we here in Canada don't suffer the annoyances of trying to keep your slot screwdriver blade centered in a screw slot because we don't use slot screws. (How many times can you say 'slot' in the same sentence?).
My favourite Canadian screw is the 'Robertson' square head. It sticks on the end of a screwdriver just fine. No slipping unless your screw socket or your screwdriver is worn out. You US guys need to get with the times! Just kidding! If your hands are steady enough to consistently drive slot screws then you have my admiration! Me - every slot screw I come across goes in the garbage. Unfortunately you can't get Robertson screws small enough for rolling stock.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Dave,
I totally agree with you, about the slot screws.
I too like the Robertson squarehead, but they are hard to get in the USA.
I have successfully used tweezers to hold the screw in place while getting the screw started with the screwdriver.
Good luck
Paul
hon30critter I have a two part solution that works in most cases: First: Toss the slot screws in the garbage and get some Phillips head (cross head) screws with the same thread, not stainless steel. Second: Stick a small magnet on the shaft of your screwdriver close to the handle. The screw will stick quite nicely on the end of the screwdriver without the need to use any condensed bodily fluids, black sticky stuff (although I can see a ton of other uses for that stuff - thanks for the lead Karl) or otherwise. It will stay straight enough to start it in the socket threads. Using the same technique for slot screws doesn't work because the screw will flip sideways every time. Actually we here in Canada don't suffer the annoyances of trying to keep your slot screwdriver blade centered in a screw slot because we don't use slot screws. (How many times can you say 'slot' in the same sentence?). My favourite Canadian screw is the 'Robertson' square head. It sticks on the end of a screwdriver just fine. No slipping unless your screw socket or your screwdriver is worn out. You US guys need to get with the times! Just kidding! If your hands are steady enough to consistently drive slot screws then you have my admiration! Me - every slot screw I come across goes in the garbage. Unfortunately you can't get Robertson screws small enough for rolling stock. Dave
Hi,
This is an easy fix, but needs a light touch to do it right........
LIGHTLY touch the end of the driver to a dab of paint (I use clearcote) and then put the screw on the end. It only takes a minute amount for the smallest of screws, and you don't want to overdo it by any means.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Go to your local stationary store. The Staedtler/Mars mechanical pencil for the 2.0mm leads is ideal.
The jaw is composed of three prongs that are spring loaded and will hold the smallest of screws/bolts tight.
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/images/products/drafting/00v02540000000-st-01-holder.jpg
I had a micromart gripper, but only use the Staedtler pencil, it works great. They are getting a bit expensive though.
but they do the job like nothing else I have seen on the market. The pressure of the jaws is the secret.
Larry, to be honest I don't come across very many slot screws. Most of the rolling stock I have purchased already had Philips screws so not that many slot screws have been sacrified.
I have a gripper but I don't ever seem to need to use it. With the magnet on the screwdriver shaft the Philips screw practically puts itself on the end of the screwdriver (well, not quite but close). I don't have to take the time to line the screw up in the prongs of a gripper which I personally find to be an unneccessary middle step. Besides, I get a perverse pleasure from tossing something that I consider to be an outdated and ineffecient design (no offense intended).
My father would cringe too if he knew that I was throwing out "perfectly good screws", but then again he used to spend hours straightening out used nails.
Now, if we really had our all acts together we would be using Torx head screws for everything (Torx screws are the six pointed thingies that are often used in automobile applications in case some of you didn't recognise the name). The screws stay firmly stuck on the screwdriver, the screwdriver tips last a very long time (one of the weaker points about Robertsons is that they have a somewhat limited tip life) and the screws are very difficult to strip (another weak point of the Robertson design). Too bad they have not had a wider application.
The original post was talking about those bothersome tiny screws, such as used for coupler pockets.
There is no way you are going to find screws/bolts that small with Robertson heads or even Phillips heads.
These tiny small screws are usually either slotted or hex headed.
That is why a gripper type utensil is required. With a strong springed gripper you can start the screw/bolt to the threads, then use the small optical type screwdriver or the small socket head driver to finish tightening the screww/bolt.
Hi Don:
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you about the availability of Philips head screws small enough for mounting couplers. I have a ton of them of various sizes down to #0-80 x 1/8". They are readily available here in Canada and they are priced the same as slot head screws of similar size.
Here is one Canadian source. He attends most of the train show/sales in southern Ontario and has a huge selection of hobby tools and supplies:
http://www.hobby-worx.com/
I agree with, DAVE, we also have Phillips head miniature head screws,here in the US, almost all Electronics,have them. On some precision, applications, Electrical and Mechanical,have security Torx screws, those are the Torx screw heads,with a center pin,that can only be removed, if you have the tool, Thank God, which I have.
As far as Phillips head screws some of Athearn's RTR cars use them and they still require a gripper (three prong holder) to start..Also all of my newer LL P2K Geeps use them.
Some N Scale cars and locomotives also has Phillips head screws.
zstripe On some precision, applications, Electrical and Mechanical,have security Torx screws, those are the Torx screw heads,with a center pin,that can only be removed, if you have the tool, Thank God, which I have. Cheers, Frank
On some precision, applications, Electrical and Mechanical,have security Torx screws, those are the Torx screw heads,with a center pin,that can only be removed, if you have the tool, Thank God, which I have.
Those Torx head screws have been around a while. I recently had to replace the ignition switch in my 88 Ford truck, and it was held in place with those security screws. So at least they have been around 25 years, if not longer! And I too, feel blessed I bought the tools years ago!
As for there not being a phllips head screw small enough to be used on a coupler box cover, Bachmann used tons of them back in the 80's and 90' to hold the coupler box covers on their horn hook equipped freight cars. You almost needed a magnifying glass to see the head of the screw.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Gripping Screwdrivers?
I usually grip the screwdrive between my thumb and forefinger. Just kind of roll the driver to turn the screw.
For holding a screw to the screw driver: I despise magnetic tools, They do not let go when you want. Since you are working at your work bench, and an open jar of soldering flux is right there, stick the tip of the screwdriver in that, and it will hold the screw.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
I have found the five prong gripper works better than the three prong gripper.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
richg1998 I have found the five prong gripper works better than the three prong gripper. Rich
While I have no issues using the three prong I often wondered if the five prong would be a tad better.
I found better results with the five prong. Had troubles with say, 00-90 and 0-80 screws using the three prong.
If you are careful, you can some times start the screw into the hole with the gripper. At least a thread or sometimes two.
kbkchooch zstripe On some precision, applications, Electrical and Mechanical,have security Torx screws, those are the Torx screw heads,with a center pin,that can only be removed, if you have the tool, Thank God, which I have. Cheers, Frank Those Torx head screws have been around a while. I recently had to replace the ignition switch in my 88 Ford truck, and it was held in place with those security screws. So at least they have been around 25 years, if not longer! And I too, feel blessed I bought the tools years ago!
Karl,
Yes, they have been out for awhile. I bought a used, Ford Crown Vic, Secretary of State Police interceptor, That had a Variable Ventura carburator, on it, nothing but security Torx on it. What a nightmare, that carb was to rebuild. That car was a trip, plain looking four door, light blue, big tires, when you sat inside and started it up, your eyes would lite up, extra gauges, on the lower dash, 140 MPH speedometer, 5-speed overdrive trans, what a sleeper! Sorry! got carried away.