Gimlet

[Andy Mac]

Who still uses a gimlet for starting screws? I just put 4 hinges on a small pine box and used mine instead of a drill, works a treat and makes me wonder why I don't get it off the toolboard more often! Wouldn't use it on hardwood though.

Cheers,

[thumbsucker]

I do - I have only one bought it for a dollar as an oddity at a used market but would love a set as I find them most useful. I have used them in hardwood Jarrah and Spotted Gum, it is harder but not hard.

[orraloon]

I use one for small screws if the wood is not real hard. Mine is one of those needle awl thingies for stitching grain sacks.

[Gra]

wasn't he one of the worrals???

[bitingmidge]

Yep, until this post Andy, I thought Gimlet was a Hobbit-friend.

Well actually I have got one in my kit, with a nice wooden handle too, but electric screwdrivers have put them out of business I would have thought.

Till now that is.

P

[rsser]

They're good for getting a centred start with twist drills.

[Barry_White]

I've got a Stanley Push Drill that I use occasionally. I used to use it when I was putting up curtain tracks and fry screens for a living before I bought my first Black & Decker battery drill 37 years ago. Still got one gimlet somewhere but never use it.

[Skew ChiDAMN!!]

Nup. I use an awl.

A gimlet has a spiral-cut tip, doesn't it?

[rsser]

Yep.

[JDarvall]

Like a twist bit ?.....I think I've got a plastic handled one in the shed somewhere.

New to me....I thought a gimlet was just gin and lime juice.

Anybody got a picture ?...

[rhancock]

I use mine fairly regularly whenever I want to be sure the screw goes in exaclty the right place, or when the screw will slip around in the electric drill.

I've just installed built ins in the bedrooms made with melamine, and the handles swmbo chose had tiny little screws which would be a pita in the electric drill, but the gimlet lets me put the screw in the hole I've made in exactly the right place, and start it by hand so it goes in right.

I also use it when hanging doors, windows, etc as I can put the door up to the frame, screw the gimlet it, let it take the weight, and then do the rest of the screws with the drill.

I also use a bradawl for many similar jobs, but the gimlet doesn't require as much brute force.