Looking for advice on NES tool bit?

AlderAlder
in Help Wanted!
I have about 150 carts that I'd like to give a thorough cleaning (many have grimy pins on the edges, hard to reach with q-tips), so I thought the best way to do it would be to invest in a bit to disassemble my carts. 

I bought a bit before online, it was a set of 2.  I can't remember where I got them from, it was around 3 years ago.. but one bit worked well for about 20 carts or so, but then it was stripped and was really hard to remove screws without pressing really hard.  The second bit was a very tight squeeze for all of my carts, so I decided not to use it at all.  Yes, both of them were listed as for the NES, and the tight one didn't work for SNES or Genesis. 

What is the best bit to buy for an affordable price?  I was thinking of asking for one as a stocking stuffer but I want to first get some advice on the best ones to buy. 

Comments

  • dra600ndra600n
    I got mine on ebay for like, $5 or $7 shipped, came with 2 sizes, and worked great so far.
  • removed04092017removed04092017
    The silver hardened steel ones, somebody'll drop a link in here soon I hope. The black ones are okay, just don't last nearly as long. I've went threw a few of those and I won't be getting another once this one that I have dies.
  • AlderAlder
    I think the one I bought had a driver (just the handle part, it was black) but the bits were silver.
  • T3rraT3rra
    ihavethatpma was selling a bunch of the black ones really cheap. I've had a set for several years now, and as long as you don't abuse them they should last a while.
  • ihavethatpmaihavethatpma
    I have quite a few sets for $4 shipped per pair, but they are the black ones. I have used the same set for 2+ years without problems on them, and they're made to work with a socket driver.
  • AlderAlder
    About how many games do you think one bit would be good for?
  • T3rraT3rra
    They should last for as many as you want. Just don't over-tighten the screws.



    The problem is, the teeth on them are tiny, so they slip over the security screws and strip out the inside of the bits. If you use a proper handle with them they rarely slip.



    And most of the time the screws weren't super tight in the first place, so you risk damaging the plastic if you tighten them too much.

    Oh, and if I read ihavethatpma's posts correctly, for $4 you get a set... meaning one size for carts, and another that will work on N64, Game Cube and such. Most of the time it's $5-7 for only one size.

    As I said before, I've had my set for several years without a hitch. It's just like a standard screw: use the right one and don't rush it and you won't strip it out.
  • OtterOtter
    my black bit has outlasted my silver one....but i was a rookie when i got the silver one
  • 8BitPat8BitPat
    Lukiegames.com has some for 2.99 I believe. I don't know how much the shipping is, but if you buy for over 25 dollars, you get free shipping.
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