has spoken elsewhere of the Japanese made Vessels brand JIS "+" point screwdrivers - I must agree with him - they are excellent. Their hollow ground "-" point screwdrivers are even better.
I do however have a set of four American Moody brand screwdrivers - all JIS "+" point and with magnetic interchangeable tips. The magnetic tips make a huge difference in my individual circumstances as I suffer from arthritis in the hands (well everywhere in fact) and being able to pick up and start the small screws that lenses utilise without having to fumble around with stuffed up hands and fingers is a real god send for me. I hope that you don't need to use such tricks, but there is usually a work around for these challenges. I got mine off Ebay - let me know if you want me to look up the seller for you - he had a great range of stuff. Micro-Tools are the other source.
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My 30+ year old Dremel drill stand works well - it works by having the Dremel unit and its drill or cutter fixed and the table being able to be moved up/down. Serves well for milling aperture rings when doing Ai conversions of pre-Ai lenses. I change height/cut by adding sheets of paper under the item being milled. Sounds weird, but in practice is very straight forward and enables very consistent outcomes.
My new Dremel drill stand is a right royal pain in the neck. The Dremel unit and its drill bit moves up and down like a conventional drill press. Unfortunately when doing so, the drill bit does not maintain a parallel line to the column and nor is it perpendicular to the table. Maybe it is just my example, but it will need a lot of fettling to fix up the quill arrangements to get it put to rights. Its OK for drilling things like sheet material but very little else. Check yours for this defect if it is of this type.
A most kind offer. I concur with magnetic tips for these tiny screws, as an aid to sanity. I'm sure I can make a plan for a JIS set locally or via UK, thanks :-) As with gunsmithing screwdrivers etc, fitting the tool to the slot is the golden rule. And as you and Richard know, one needs the best possible quality screwdrivers.
Understand your solution to lift the work to the dremel tool bit - makes sound sense as in adapting a lathe to mill in lateral plane.
I agree fully the latest dremel workstation stand is too flimsy and basically a con. I am planning to purchase a longer core stainless steel tube (if needs be turning it down to correct diameter) to take a top fastener to the dremel; it's basically useless unless it's more rigidly mounted. If I can locate a used stand, well this'll be the simpler solution! Based on what I've seen and experienced (including a failed chuck-locking clutch that warranty did finally honour) Dremel is not what it used to be. Lesson to anyone planning a purchase - search used tools arena first - boycott the currently selling stand. Albeit, so far in my experience with the Dremel, their genuine spindles, bits and drills etc still hold up and deliver.
thanks to you all for feed back on this suite of 135 Nikkors and lens repair etc
best
woody
PS these details on tools etc to open up lens etc (and repair other camera gear) is somewhat off the topic of this thread but relevant to any of us engrossed with classic lenses, and planning to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Hugh and Rick :-) reminds to finalize strengthening the tripod ring on my 70-180 micro-Nikkor as demonstrated by Bjørn R for his lens (see thread earlier this year) but, again, it's need a proper drill press!
