Thread: Hand Drills, Brace and bit and Auger bit files

Hi Kate,
Here are photos of what the jaws of your 78 should look like, they are Mitchell pattern* and are usually in good condition due to the high quality steel used in their manufacture. The same jaws are used right across the British Stanley No 78 braces and also in their No 144 and the Aus' A78 and A144's. The cheapest option for you would be, as Ian Wells suggested, to haunt the flea markets, swap meets etc and check out the 78's & 144's for good condition jaws. Note,the Stanley No 73's jaws are totally different and not usable in your brace. I thought I had a spare set but couldn't find them.
Cheers,
Geoff.

*Charles E. Mitchell US Pat' 1,011,227 Dec 12 1911. (Sorry, I just can't help myself)

Hi Geoff,

Thanks for those pics that's exactly what I though they should look like sadly mine appeared to be filed out at the top to take round shank bits most likely by my grandfather the original owner. As for a replacement set thanks for having a look, My plan was to hunt flea markets, Ebay as well as my local old Wears shop and as you suggest by and old brace and use it for parts. Thanks for the info on what models are compatible with my #78

As I just missed out on scoring a original new replacement set on ebay as the shipping from the UK was way to much.

yeah there are a few braces similar to the one I linked that I am keeping my eye on. Not to mention maybe forging my own but that's another story.

I might pick your brains as for good books on antique tools especially brace and bits.

regards Kate

Books Kate, where to start? The American Patented Brace 1829 - 1924 by Ronald W. Pearson, A Sourcebook of U S Patents For Bitstock Tools by James E. Price, Some 19th Century English Woodworking Tools by Kenneth D. Roberts, Dictionary of Woodworking Tools by R. A. Salaman, Ancient Carpenters Tools, by Henry C. Mercer. These five I don't even have to stand up and walk to the book shelf where there are a mountain of catalogue reprints. I'm warning you, this can become a long slippery slope.
Cheers,
Geoff.

Geoff,

Thanks for all those book title's I will be sure to check them out on the Book Depository website. I have a feeling it would be a long slippery slope and one which will need a much bigger workshop. However this said I want the skill of boring holes by hand to be back in the workshop.