What to do with these bits

[jmk89]

Over the years I have collected quite a lot of bits (for use with a brace), generally by buying job lots on Fleabay. As a result I have quite a number of less than desirable items.

For example, I have a number of bits where the owner, for reasons I don't know:
removed the spur on the outer edge of the bit so it won't scribe the circumference; and/or
[LIST=2]cut off the square end of the shank (perhaps to put into a 3-jaw chuck of a power drill)
.

What would you do with these? I can't think of what use they might be, but I don't want to throw them out and then find that I need them.:doh:

[elanjacobs]

pics?

[wheelinround]

Your not alone Jeremy
I was given such a box of bits still have them as well as some of my dad's pls two braces.

One reason the spurs were grund off was to get closer to the bottom but not score through same with points. Dilling a rescess was the other reason.

might find this of interest Sharpening Auger Bits | Logan Cabinet Shoppe (http://logancabinetshoppe.com/blog/2012/01/sharpening-auger-bits/)

[jmk89]

Thanks wheelin' I hadn't thought of those reasons. :2tsup:

So I'll store these and forget where they are when I need to do either of those things!:o:doh:

I agree that Bob's site has some really useful posts and videos, including that one. Fortunately I had already worked out how to sharpen bits, but thanks for posting the link anyway as I'll probably remember that you did that rather than which site has it!

[IanW]

Umm, Jeremy -are you SURE the spurs have been 'ground off'? Hardwood bits never had spurs.

Cheers,

[jmk89]

I assumed that because I never knew that there were separate hardwood and softwood bits. Wouldn't not having a spur make d for a ragged hole, even in hard wood?

[IanW]

..... Wouldn't not having a spur make d for a ragged hole, even in hard wood?

Not especially, Jeremy - after all other types of bits like twist drills can make a reasonably neat hole in hardwood. I don't know when spurred bits first appeared, but the non-spurred variety have a very long pedigree. I have a box full of them, which I rarely use nowadays, mainly because I've gotten lazy with battery drills & all, so my nice old brace languishes in the cupboard for months on end. About the only time I take it out for a run these days is when I need to move a particularly stubborn slot-head screw. It's unbeatable on that job...

Cheers,