Thread: Old wood brace

The chuck design is known as a Spofford chuck. It's a brilliantly simple design, using the limited flexibility/springiness of cast iron to make for a tightening/loosening chuck. Sometimes, you'll find what appears to be a nail near the end of the slit in the cast iron, shoved in and bent over; this is to provide a fulcrum for the lever effect of closing the chuck.

It looks like a J.S. Fray brace; and, if so, an import, more than likely, from the United States. These are not rare here in the U.S., although they're not evenly distributed around the country. I've found maybe four over the years, but, in some parts of the country, you could probably find four in a good weekend of estate/yard/garage sales.

The chuck looks like it should not work worth a darn, but it's actually an excellent chuck when in good shape, and, in general, an excellent brace. From here, it looks like the chuck may be out of line with the brace; you could try rebending it if that's the case, but cast iron is limited in how much you can mess with it. Hold it with the chuck up, and let a little oil run down the shaft at the knob; it's metal on metal where the knob rotates, and some oil will minimize wear.

Some info here: J.S. Fray

Originally Posted by Bill Houghton

The chuck design is known as a Spofford chuck. It's a brilliantly simple design, using the limited flexibility/springiness of cast iron to make for a tightening/loosening chuck. Sometimes, you'll find what appears to be a nail near the end of the slit in the cast iron, shoved in and bent over; this is to provide a fulcrum for the lever effect of closing the chuck.

It looks like a J.S. Fray brace; and, if so, an import, more than likely, from the United States. These are not rare here in the U.S., although they're not evenly distributed around the country. I've found maybe four over the years, but, in some parts of the country, you could probably find four in a good weekend of estate/yard/garage sales.

The chuck looks like it should not work worth a darn, but it's actually an excellent chuck when in good shape, and, in general, an excellent brace. From here, it looks like the chuck may be out of line with the brace; you could try rebending it if that's the case, but cast iron is limited in how much you can mess with it. Hold it with the chuck up, and let a little oil run down the shaft at the knob; it's metal on metal where the knob rotates, and some oil will minimize wear.

Some info here: J.S. Fray

Just checked it over for a makers name...H Boker

so if any one wants it for FREE let me know.

Hi Eskimo,

is your brace still available?

if so, could you please pm me your contact details to arrange pick up

Thank you

Graham.

Originally Posted by macg

Hi Eskimo,

is your brace still available?

if so, could you please pm me your contact details to arrange pick up

Thank you

Graham.

Graham has picked it up.