What brace should I get
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27 October 2015 at 3:21 am #131767
I don’t think at this point I will need more than one. I am looking for a brace that I can use with a traditional augur set. I see tons on eBay, but I don’t know what I am really looking for, models or otherwise (other than good mechanical condition.
Advise? Thanks!
27 October 2015 at 6:10 pm #131792I have an old Miller Falls brace which works really well. Out of curiosity, I went online to date it and it appears to be from the ’20s or ’30s. It and a number of bits came in a 3 dollar box of odds and ends I bought at an auction.
I’m not sure about buying new. Lee Valley sells braces, but they sure aren’t cheap!
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32300&cat=1,180,42337&ap=129 October 2015 at 12:05 pm #131854I have somehow wound up with four in my collection. I think my favorite is a Pexto model 8012B with Samson pattern chuck. The wood is very nice and it has held up very well although it has obviously seen heavy use. I’ve also got a John S Fray company 10″ with a Spofford chuck that has held up well for it’s 100+ years. I would happily recommend either if you happen to come across them. I’d give the edge to the Samson chuck since I find it easier to use, but that is probably just personal preference.
29 October 2015 at 5:58 pm #131864I got mine and my set of bits from separate sales on Etsy. The Millers Falls brace is 14″ long and has a 5″ throw (I think that’s the term – center of handle to center of bit). The Russell-Jennings bit set came with the original three-tiered box, although some of the bits were replacements.
I love this thing. I think (not certain) I paid only $20 for the brace and about $20 for the bits. I spent some time removing rust and oiling moving parts and oiling the wood parts when I got it. Works great.
Good luck.
FYI – there is a blogger (http://thevalleywoodworker.blogspot.com) who did a series of posts a month or two ago about braces and bits. Bob Demers is a very knowledgeable guy. Good reading.
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