Thread: Hand drills, braces and bits

I don't know, but I would think any light bearing grease, of the sort you'd find at your local auto parts store or hardware store should do.

As to the auger bits: I don't know who's making them, but, if your area has a decent stock of bits available at estate/yard/boot/whatever they're called in Oz sales, I'd do that. Look, obviously, for shiny if you can. If there's a flat surface available, roll them along the surface and look for any bumpiness as they go, which would indicate a bent bit. Make sure the screw tip's not munged up and there's still a decent amount of spur left. The rest can usually be fixed with an auger bit file.

And, wandering from your questions, if you're enjoying cholesterol-powered drilling, watch for a push drill. There's nothing better for the sort of small holes needed for the screws on hardware (hinges and the like).

Sutton make auger bits. They have a hex shank, so your brace will need to be able to clamp them, but I have found they work very well.

I unexpectedly found that I too prefer to use a hand auger with larger bits in furniture pieces. For me, the controlled progress allows me to see issues developing and stop before damage may be done. And with a sharp bit, the little lead screw actually pulls the bit through the wood, so very little pressure is required.

Hi bueller,

have you tried contacting the local tool club,

hand tool preservation society of w.a.

Graham.

It took me a few years to put together a complete set of auger bits (in 16ths of an inch increments). Most of mine I picked up on ebay one at a time but some I bought from The Old Toolshop in England. I just checked and they still have quite a lot of sizes available made by Clico in Sheffield who went out of business about five years ago I believe. They are Jennings pattern bits with the snail. I have three of their bits and they are very nice. Mine are a mixed bag but most are old Titans made in Tasmania. I make toys in my shed and I like the peace and quiet and running a power drill (or anything else with an electric motor) completely destroys the "serenity". I'm not in a hurry so drilling, planing and cutting by hand doesn't bother me. Good luck getting your set together.

Mick.

If you search the forum there are a couple of threads with people showing each other's braces and egg beater drills might be of interest.

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Brace fanatics was the title of one

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Originally Posted by code4pay

Brace fanatics was the title of one

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Here it is:

Brace Fanatics

Originally Posted by ARealBoy

...but some I bought from The Old Toolshop in England. I just checked and they still have quite a lot of sizes available made by Clico in Sheffield who went out of business about five years ago I believe. They are Jennings pattern bits with the snail...

What Mick says. I think Clico were the last company in the western world making traditional tapered square shank auger bits - but they sold their plane making division (Clifton) and then closed up shop at the end of 2014 IIRC. So NOS or second hand are your best options.

Cheers, Vann.

The best augers are made by Wood Owl in Japan. These are tri-cut. Fast and clean.





They work very well in my North Bros/Bell braces.

Star-M (for drill press) at front and Wood Owl (for brace) at rear. Made by the same company.




After this come augers by Russell Jennings ...





... and Irwin in third place ...


Regards from Perth

Derek

Hi Derek. If that box of Jennings augers is complete, that is a great find!

MA, I bought it 20 years ago, and they were more available and cheaper then. Where’s the time machine?

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for all the feedback everyone! Lot to consider.

I think you need to talk with Boringgeoff

Pictures to come soon but the breast drill rides again, BobL was kind enough to donate a handle and I've already started taking it back to bare metal in preparation for fresh paint. I'm not going crazy with it though, the bearings are in good shape so I'm going to leave the gears in situ and mask them off for paint.

Still looking around at auger bits but have my eye on a few sets now. Will share when I've got my hands on some.