Thread: Hand braces

First things first......don't buy two, they'll breed.

Buy second hand, they're fairly cheap compared to new.
Look for wear on the jaws and cracks in the handles, some of the cracks can't be easily repaired/ignored.
Exessive wear on the ratcheting gears probably should be avoided but don't get too concerned if the ratchet doesn't work as they seem to gum up with age/neglect and I've been able to loosen all the jammed ones with WD-40......sometimes a lot of WD-40.
As for brands; Stanley is good. The #78 is a good brace and the #73 has a Universal type jaw that seems to hold just about any bit or driver I've put in it so far. The #73 is recognizable by the wire that holds the jaws to the brace.....and the #73 on it. There is also a #81....which seems to be identical to the #78 but knowing Stanley, there is probably some arcane difference.....or I should have had my 2nd coffee before I went to the shed and checked. Anybody know?
I'd avoid the newer 4 jaw chucks; they're good for engineers type bits but don't seem much good for anything that is hex based.

What are you planning to use your brace for?
They make a great cordless screwdriver.


Disclaimer : Typed on a Sunday morining before I've finished my first coffee.

Thanks seanz,
and thanks for the quick reply and sound advice. (I've just had my coffee and am typing at full pace) I want a brace (with accompanying bits) as a back up for when the batteries die on my cordless or when I'm working away from power. People also love to see work being done traditionally and I often work in full view of the paying public. Also there is often filming visitors or something that dont appreciate the noise.
Thanks again,
Graeme

Hi Graeme,

Something like this...
STANLEY No A144 10" MK3 Ratchet Brace & 20 Auger Bits - eBay, Drills, Tools, Hardware, Locks, Collectables. (end time 15-Dec-09 19:30:26 AEDST)
(no affiliation)
would be a good working starter set.

If I had my time over again (I restored some old braces and collected bits over the years), this is how I would start out.

Cheers,
Stu

Hi Graeme

Braces are wonderful, as are eggbeaters. I have a small assembly of each, and they get used often in preference to power tools. The braces have a lot more torque for large holes than most powered drilled.

You can look for a brace as simple as a Fray-Spofford, which has no rachet mechanism (which many prefer):


J.S. Fray

Or go for the Roles Royce of braces, the Yankee/North (Stanley) Bell System 2100/1 ..


Yankee Braces

Here is a rather beautiful early Millers Falls I picked up ..



Most vintage Stanley braces will work just fine - they do not need to be collectable. Just make sure that the racket moves freely and that the jaws grips the bit tightly. Not much to go wrong.

Some of the best eggbeaters were made by Millers Falls, especially the E#2 and #5.

Good hunting!

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks guys,
I've kept an eye on ebay lately and will try to pick up something there. After accidently accumulating a dozen planes over the last 6 months I thought I'd try to turn my addiction, oops I meant attention, to braces.
Graeme

After leaving the farm, where i used a brace all the time for fencing, i made the mistake of giving my good Stanley brace away.

There are several times since that I wished I had not done that.

G'Day,
I also have been thinking of obtaining a brace for drilling larger diameter holes but have a couple of questions. Firstly the standard or most common size - is it 10 inches and does this number refer to the diameter of the handle rotation? and secondly brace bits - can I assume that the standard brace chuck is a two jaw configuration and does this mean that only square taper shanked bits can be used? Lastly where do you guys get your brace bits from?

Appreciate your help.

Coxy

Hi Coxy,

The Sweep size is usually stamped on the brace, as you have guessed it refers to the sweep or diameter of rotation. They generally come in a range os sweeps from about 5 -16 inches although 10 inch is a common size and the larger the sweep the greater torque you get for drilling - so a larger sweep can be better for bigger holes or large brace attachements like hollow augers.

most come with two jaws and generally will need the square taper shank bits but they will also take hexaonal bits. Other two jaw chucks with ''Universal jaws'' will also take normal drill bits and #1 morse taper shank bits, but there are fewer of those around. Seems to be lots of brace bit on offer on ebay but you can usually find the at swap meets and garage sale where you can atleast have look at them and make sure their lead screw threads are ok.

one example of universal jaws for millers falls braces although they do come in other configurations generally with the jaws sort of loose but held with wire but not joined at the end like this

A few Stanley braces - made in England can be found.. got a couple in the shed could look up the model number.

Regards
Steve

Originally Posted by gracoope

Any hints on what to look for in a second-hand brace? Brands/features/what not to get?
Thanks in advance
Graeme

Graeme

I have a few Braces that I have listed in the buy swap and sell section. $20.00 for three. One is in good condition and the others not so good. There are no auger bits. I will also be listing saws, levels, spokeshaves and some planes to clear out the clutter.

Col
Hoppers Crossing
Vic

I have plenty of braces for sale on my web site. They range from 2, 3 and 4 jaw chucks in variuos sweeps up to 14". These are also sets of braces available for sale. Have a look at Home of fine antique tools & stanley planes
stu

Steve,
Exactly the information I needed - Thanks.

Coxy