screwdrivers -- common sizes, types & brands

[john_van_v]

Like most of us, I have a vast collection of broken RFs and early SLRs.

I will be needing a set of screwdrivers, and I know that the dollar-store collection I have is not acceptable. What sizes should I get?

Here is my to-do repair list:

My Bessa R needs work (film count lens popped inwards and will probably jam in gears), and I have a number of Soviet cameras that need CLA.

I have a few Spotmatics to mount my three Soviet SLR lenses that will need to be worked on.

I have two early Canon FDs for a Vivatar Series 1 (that was bought as a test lens but turned out to be one of my best) will need CLA.

I use two Kodak compacts, the c875 and its successor the Z1285 -- the latter, Z1285, is not sealed around the lens so squirting it w/ water permanentaly fogged the lens so it needs to come apart. (Z notes below.)

Also, any related anecdotes such as about lubrication types and injection would be helpful. Do these cameras need wrenches--or spanners?

Thanks in advance, John

Z1285 notes: This camera has a tragic flaw, it takes 10 secs to process between pictures. The work around is to use the internal memory, and then copy the memory out to the SD card, removed the SD card, and then erase the memory to start over -- which is about 40 pictures at max megapixels. It makes nice pictures under overcast, but the c875 can shoot directly into the Sun. Also, don't squirt water at the lens.

 

[pgeobc]

I like my Screwdrivers in about a 10 oz. glass. Plenty of ice, thank you.

 

[john_van_v]

wanabe drink for sure

 

[Ranchu]

I don't know anything about your cameras, but I have a wiha 00 x 40 I highly recommend. Also a tiny 1mm standard flat screwdriver and a Stanley set of mini screwdrivers. You can file the flat ones to the size you need, just make sure you do it far away from your lenses and clean the screwdriver and your hands thoroughly before you come back. Wiha makes the best screwdrivers I've used, anyway.

 

[john_s]

I haven't bought screwdrivers from them, but other tools (and batteries):

http://www.micro-tools.com/store/

 

[Keith]

If a screwdriver can be filed it shouldn't be used IMO because it probably means it hasn't been tempered correctly.

I bought a set of screwdrivers from an electronics hobby store that didn't cost much and seem to be very good quality ... three slot heads and three star drives (philips).

 

[Ranchu]

I have a German file that's very hard and fine. Points files from the auto parts store are usually pretty good too, small though. Haven't had much trouble, I guess!

 

[Keith]

I have a German file that's very hard and fine. Points files from the auto parts store are usually pretty good too, small though. Haven't had much trouble, I guess!

I just remember back in my mechanic's apprenticeship days we were taught at tech school how to aneal, file, then re-temper a screwdriver blade. We were always told that if you could file it it wasn't hard enough ... but then again files have probably improved since then! 😀

 

[Ranchu]

It's one of these, swiss I guess...

http://www.riogrande.com/MemberArea...tegory|cat_310|5594=Friedrich+Dick+Hand+Files

It says hardness 66-67!

😱

 

[bigeye]

You'll want a set of Wiha screwdrivers, since you have some japanese cameras. They're a bit different, JIS-type slots. The micro-tools.com site should have what you need.

 

[Landshark]

Another for using micro-tools.
straight blade drivers from 1mm-3mm and cross point in 2,2.5 and 3mm
These are not Phillips but JCI tips.
JCI tips don't have as sharp a tip and the JCI screws don't take a Phillips properly, they slip out and will damage the heads