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Thread: unusual brace
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6th September 2019, 01:29 PM #1Intermediate Member
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unusual brace
Hi.. don't think I have showed this before.. 10 inch brace.
threads are metric, so I am guessing European made.. no markings !
note the slot !
The clamp screw is not original, but if someone has one of these with the proper screw I would make a copy.
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7th September 2019, 09:48 AM #2Try not to be late, but never be early.
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I've never seen one with the wide slot like that before, looks as if its been sawn?
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8th September 2019, 10:43 AM #3Try not to be late, but never be early.
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Kenny, that style of brace was originally patented by Nelson Spofford in 1859 in the USA (US Pat 25984) In this patent he states "A slot, a, is cut into it, which divides said socket into two jaws, that are forced together by a thumb screw".
A patent update in March 1880 (US Pat 22768) Spofford rejects sawing the division in favour of casting it forked because "to preserve the strength and resiliency of an article made of cast metal it is necessary to preserve the skin of the casting intact, as the thin hard covering or skin that envelops the casting has the effect of imparting increased strength to the same. Hence, when the slit is formed in the arm of the bit-brace by cutting the metal away with a milling device, the interior portions of the arms are left without the skin metal that surrounds the outer portions of the arm, and thus the slitted arms materially weakened and their resiliency lessened to a considerable degree".
I would assume that whether the arms are sawn or cast they would then be pressed together to leave little or no gap between the two halves. This style that I've seen are those made by John Fray & Stanley in USA, Mathiesons of Glasgow, W & C Wynne of Birmingham, Henry Boker, Germany and other unknown, illegible or unbranded examples. All are pressed together with little or no gap at the apex of the join so your example is unique in my opinion.
They are frequently found with the thumbscrew replaced due the thread stripping in the casting but yours doesn't look typical of those cases which are usually in lot rougher condition. Have you had the head off? It looks like a bearing sleeve poking out slightly or perhaps a shim sleeve to take up wear?
Anyway Kenny thanks for posting I know a lot of people think I should get a life but you put it up on my birthday which could only enhance my day.
Cheers,
Geoff.Last edited by Boringgeoff; 8th September 2019 at 10:46 AM. Reason: tidying Spoffords words.
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10th September 2019, 11:48 AM #4Intermediate Member
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Geoff.
A belated Happy Biirthday.. In regards to the pad..the sleeve is a piece of brass shim I fitted to take out a little of the wobble near it's mouth.
I must also add that unlike the Mathiesons, the end of the handle is flat, as is the bottom of the hole. Here it steps down and continues thru the pad.
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12th September 2019, 11:24 AM #5Try not to be late, but never be early.
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Kenny,
I've never seen that feature before.
Cheers,
Geoff.
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