Screwheads, was: 5" floppy?.

[Paul Koning]

> > Correct screwdrivers can be found in one of two ways, depending on
> the
> > size you need.  For the small sizes, get watchmaker screwdrivers.
> For
> > larger sizes, get gunsmith screwdrivers.  Both have hardened tips,
> > hollow ground so the point that fits in the slot of the screw has
> > parallel sides, not tapered sides.  With those you can work those
> screws
> > without damaging them, even if they are quite tight.
> 
> Another way to find larger HG sizes is to get a (good) set of power-
> drive bits that will fit a screwdriver socket handle.  Although this
> has its problems with getting into tight spaces, sets of hollow-
> ground hardened power bits are comparatively easy to find.

Good point.  However, those (and hardware store flat bits in general)
come only in a few sizes.  You get a choice of width but not (as far as
I have seen) a choice of thickness.  By contrast, a decent gunsmith
screwdriver set has a lot more widths, so you can more closely match the
screw diameter, and it will also offer a given width in 3 to 6
thicknesses, so you can find the bit that is a nice snug fit for the
screw head you're working on.

It may be that slotted screws are well enough standardized that this is
overkill, but I suspect not.  Certainly not in guns, where the
nonstandard is usual.  :-)

	paul