Young Carpenter

Moonlite37 · Aug 20, 2016

Neighbor, about 45 tears old builds houses and does not own a handsaw or bit brace, He found two nice bit braces in an attic od one of his buildings and gave them to me. I already had one and do not need three. I have three handsaws and seldom use even one of them, Really he did not know what a bit brace or an auger bit is.

Geo-TH,In · Aug 20, 2016

Brace and bit, first cordless drill.

FLOLDFORD · Aug 20, 2016

Yep got a couple of those cordless drills in the shop. Use them from time to time.

TimV · Aug 20, 2016

Keep a couple braces hanging up in the garage--one has a countersink bit in it so I don't have to hunt one up, put it in a powered drill, make a couple passes, then take it out and put it away--it's faster just to grab the brace. Another use is for getting more torque on a fastener than you can with a hand screwdriver--I keep one with a good 1/4" hex bit adapter in it so all I have to do is pop in the correct bit. Have a dozen or more braces scattered around, most of which I've picked up for a buck or two at garage sales and such. I also find they're great gifts for kids who want to do a bit of carpentry--give them a brace, an old auger bit, and some scrap wood and they'll stay busy for quite a while!

T.R.K. · Aug 20, 2016

I work on lawnmowers. I have a brace hanging behind the workbench with a 5/16 tap in it. It sure is quicker to just run the tap in mower spindles with the brace rather than with a tap wrench.

pete black · Aug 20, 2016

As a boy my dad sent me by bicycle to granddaddys to borrow his brace & bit. After granddad put the bit in the brace I simply hung the brace on the handle bars with the bit hanging down. Nearing home I stood up to pedal and with the swaying of the bike from side to side the brace started swinging when; the bit got caught in the spokes and in an instant the bike stopped but I didn't. Head over heels, came up bleeding but got back on bike and made it home. Funny thing, I never told dad, afraid a boy of the fifties would get in trouble I guess.

Tony in SD · Aug 21, 2016

I used a bit brace when I was a lineman drilling 11/16" holes in poles all day long. We called them "Saw dust pumps". Got good at sharpening bits too. I still have some of my Granpa's hand saws. Teaching my Grandson how to use them as mine taught me. Besides he is 8 years old and my SIL won't allow him to use power tool yet.

gtractorfan · Aug 21, 2016

Similarly I still use what we called a "speed wrench" (a crank that holds sockets) quite often whereas many would use an impact. BTW, I see mechanics using speed wrenches when working on top fuel drag race engines.

Mike(NEOhio) · Aug 21, 2016

My dad was a carpenter. I have his brace and a box of bits along with a couple of his hand saws and Stanley planes, one is a 28" jointer he used to fit doors. I like to use them once in a while. There's something I like about the sound and feel working wood with hand tools. My brother went into the trade and says a carpenter has no use for a hammer any more.

Geo-TH,In · Aug 21, 2016

I have some too, NEVER used them.

Russ from MN · Aug 21, 2016

I still have my compete set!

4wdtom · Aug 22, 2016

Yes, I have one, and a two speed hand drill. I don't use them much but once in a while it is nice to have them. If you have a nice old one you can always hang it on the wall, it is still there if you need it and not kicking around in the shop. And you could have fun showing those who say "What's that?" the original "cordless screwdriver/drell".

Young Carpenter

Moonlite37

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Geo-TH,In

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FLOLDFORD

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TimV

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T.R.K.

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pete black

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Tony in SD

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gtractorfan

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Mike(NEOhio)

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Geo-TH,In

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Russ from MN

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4wdtom

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