Hand Brace and Auger Bits!


Greebe

Greebe

Non ducor, duco.
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So I picked up a Hand Brace the same day that I picked up the axe at the antique store that was going out of business the other day. I was able to pick up the hand brace for only $7 which I believe was a decent deal.

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Then I looked around on ebay and picked up the following 23 auger bits, two twist bits, and a flat screw driver for $20. There are about 10 or so that are in not so great condition that are either missing the outside spurs or that have then bent. There are also a few that have the shaft bent a bit but they can be straightened out. I think I should be able to fix a number of these. Overall there are a number of duplicates so I will have a good set.

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Greebe
 
I loved my dad's old brace and bits - old saws - old jackplanes.

I'm not gonna rush my sis...but when she tells me she's ready to start going thru his stuff from his recent passing...I've already been looking forward to putting those to use again!

new power tools are wonderful, efficient, and fast....but they can't capture the magic of old hand tools.
 
Awesome. I think you got a good deal. I have one of my grandfathers hand braces and use it often in woodworking. I am much more precise with a hand brace than a power drill.
 
Thanks guys. I have always been surprised at how well a hand brace and auger bit works. It will boar a hole faster and cleaner than any power driven hole boring set up.

I touched up a few of these last night and they work great. I need to sharpen the rest and get then straightened out.
 
Looks like that one has a reversible ratchet. I've got one like that. Love it. When I need a new tool, the first place I look are at antique and collectible shops.
 
You got a great deal there and some really nice tools to work with. I'm drooling with envy LOL
 
Not only can you produce accurate results with these, they still sell them brand new. And as a back up to power tools they are great. No batteries to worry about, and they are quiet. Just in case anyone likes to see these used as intended, watch the Woodwrights Shop on public television (usually Saturdays around here). He has absolutely no power in his shop except for the lighting. Even his lathe is leg powered. And, many of his shows have lessons that can be applied to the bush and primitive living.
 
question here-you mentioned you were going to resharpen some of those bits. how? (i've got several i was given and made up a nice roll for them, now i jsut want them to actually cut!)
 
Grits said:
Looks like that one has a reversible ratchet. I've got one like that. Love it. When I need a new tool, the first place I look are at antique and collectible shops.
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Sure does. It is definitely a nice feature to have.
 
MiddleWolf said:
Not only can you produce accurate results with these, they still sell them brand new. And as a back up to power tools they are great. No batteries to worry about, and they are quiet. Just in case anyone likes to see these used as intended, watch the Woodwrights Shop on public television (usually Saturdays around here). He has absolutely no power in his shop except for the lighting. Even his lathe is leg powered. And, many of his shows have lessons that can be applied to the bush and primitive living.
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Yeah Irwin makes them and they look pretty nice, however they are pretty pricy compared to used.

Roy's shows are pretty cool. My dad watched them when I was a teenager and I did not appreciate them then. Now I notice that you can get the last 5 seasons on PBS. I have been watching a few of them the past few weeks. I would like to get set up to work like that without power tools.

Greebe
 
Good for you. I think some were made with only one spur, but you make me wonder if i just never looked close enough:6: surely not.

I like the brace up to about 3/4" depending on the wood and depth. I decided that when boring through 4 inch maple bench top with a new drill...Im only 3/4s romantic
 
briarbrow said:
Good for you. I think some were made with only one spur, but you make me wonder if i just never looked close enough:6: surely not.

I like the brace up to about 3/4" depending on the wood and depth. I decided that when boring through 4 inch maple bench top with a new drill...Im only 3/4s romantic
Click to expand...

One of the bits is a 16 or 1", and after sharpening it I bored a hole about 3" through a piece of oak in my wood pile. It worked surprisingly well but gave my arm a workout. That is when it would be nice to have a 12" brace. This one is a 10" which I think is pretty good for general use but it would be nice to have a larger one for bigger bits.

Greebe
 
that's a good idea-larger brace. I was thinking T handle. Somehow I lost my T's 1" to 2-1/2"
 
That is a nice set you have there, I think a "T" handle would be nice for the larger bits. When my son first saw mine in the shop and asked what they were we told him it was the Amish version of cordless tools.
 
That's cool that a few of you have your grandfathers tools. I wish I had some old tools that belonged to my grandad.

A "T" handle would be nice. How are they constructed? Is there some sort of metal plate with a square hole or something that keeps them from turning in the handle? If you guys have pictures of comments on this I would like to hear more.

Thanks
Greebe
 
I have 2 of the rachet types of braces. Both have 3 jaws that expand or contract to hold the bit . How do you get it to hold a square shouldered bits. I have a few of the tapered square shouldered bits . Can't get them to fit centered in the chuck . I sometimes use regular drill bits . Most of the time I use hex sided bits . Like screw driver bits . The braces are backup to the corded and cordless drills that I use . Have put on a couple metal roofs and the brace with a bit that fits the screws worked great.
 
Ahh, the original "cordless screwdriver"! Most of the better woodworking supply companies sell an adapter for hex bits; you would be amazed how quickly and effortlessly you can drive screws with it. I put down 200 sq ft of decking in an hour. Took some effort but felt great afterwords.
 
Saw one the other day for $25 and no bits, had to pass it up.

Always on the lookout for old tools, just something about putting some four times older than you back into service, good feelings all around.

-Brandon
 
Greebe, seen your post the other day and started me hoping I'd run across some. Well today I lucked into some. Got the Brace (Miller Falls), 33 Bits, a small BP Hammer, an Awesome little monkey wrench and plier/wire cutters and wide chisel. The Brace and Bits were $10.00, $14.00 for the rest. Thanks for the inspiration.
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