Reply To: New hand brace maintenace
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@Jukka Is the cheaper version you referred to from the same manufacturer (“made in France” one)? Looks like the same as the one Lee Valley sells too (not the Delux one). Rob Lee from LV did not have much praise for them — in a forum he wrote years ago about their new brace offering: “The new braces are pretty much worth what you pay for ’em…. they’re not high precision tools, and we offer for folks that need ’em. Having said that – old braces can be worth more than you pay for them…” He was alluding to buyers who don’t like old tools and want “new”.
I have an old Stanley 965-N which works okay though the chuck jaws don’t stay open and dangles inside when loosened (some spring missing or an old design). It takes a bit of fiddling to insert the shank of the bit. Have been looking for an old Stanley 2101A or similar on ebay. But its hard to judge the condition of what ebay sellers offer and shipping costs are exorbitant to Canada most of the time. As we have nothing useful in flea markets near where I live, tempted to get a new one with a feedback that’s better than a “so so”.
Thanks,