Brace & Bit | Paul Sellers 

You can see how to sharpen bits here: woodworkingmasterclasses.com/videos/sharpening-auger-bit/

I'm fairly new to using the bit and brace, but one of the things I most enjoy is the silence of the tool compared to electric drivers and drills.

You are a master of common sense. It is not slower it is more accurate and matches my beginners brain to a speed that returns control of the results to the operator. Thanks Paul

I bought my brace and bit 58 years ago. I use it quite often and It’s still as good as new, no wear and tear.

Once again, a great clear demonstration of a classic tool. Thanks. I taught my 6-year-old grandson how to use that tool, and he was so proud to show his Mom what he had learned: "Look, Mom, it goes all the way through!" He also demonstrated how to properly chuck the bit. The bit set was from Russell Jennings, probably 100 years old.

Many people think "what else can be said about vintage brace". They just need get to know Paul Sellers. Many old topics gain their new and better understanding.

I have my grandfather's brace and bit, plus his augur bits. If you haven't used one, it's hard to imagine how much better this is than fighting with spade bits in an electric drill. I remember the "aha!" moment when I realized the chuck had a ratchet on it. Brilliant! Thanks for this.

I enjoy using these hand tool it make relax no hurrying justo at your own speed it like therapy for me😃

6:38 I cried softly at the “We’ve got all the sizes we need” bit.

A brace is a wonderful tool. These days many people think that drilling holes is difficult without power tools. Not in wood. In bigger hole a cordless drill and flat bit are quite a violent combo to manage. It takes surprisingly little effort to do it with a brace, and control is perfect.

My late father taught me how to use a brace and augers in the 1970's. Today I am still using the same brace and augers which he bought in the late 1940's. It outlived two of his electrical drills as far as I know, as well as three of mine and is still going strong. It is a Stanley 10", I also own a Millers Falls 12" and a dainty Stanley 5" which drives screws sweetly.

Thank you Paul: Another great video. I’ve inherited my grandfather’s well kept brace and bit. Every time I use it I think of him & smile. To drill a perfect hole without noise is wonderful. I really like that screw bit. Will hunt one down for sure! Cheers from Australia 🍻

This is such a brilliant tool. I modified some Ikea cabinets with extra bracing with in-laid cap-head bolts. Only a brace and Forstner bit, could do the job accurately.

When I ask my son for my cordless drill he knows i mean my brace. I have adapters for use on wood metal and construction projects. Paul's video is the first one I've seen that shows you this tool isn't outdated. Thanks for sharing

Brilliant tutorial as always. In truth as a professional joiner I haven't used mine for over 20 years, but after watching this you've made me want to dig them out of garage storage and give them a whirl. Thanks for the memories.

I got my Dad's brace and bit set a couple of years ago (old wooden box set) and I use it every chance I get. Over the summer I made a bassinet for my granddaughter and the only thing I used any power tool for was the larger diameter holes (for the hinge pins) because I thought that I didn't have a large enough bit. Turns out that I did and I wish I would have realized that before I drilled those holes. I ended up with misaligned holes and spent a lot of extra time reshaping them. With the brace I can so easily line it up square and true. Thanks Paul for all the videos! I would never have been able to complete the bassinet without your teaching.

Once again you have hit the proverbial nail on the head. I have taken to using a brace almost exclusively in my woodworking. I have found that a quick-release adapter will chuck nicely in the jaws of my brace. This allows me to use regular twist drills in a keyless chuck that has a 1/4" quick-release hex shank or swap out the keyless chuck for a #2 square driver for deck screws or a #2 phillips driver or a countersink tool... Thanks for pointing this out.

I must say Mr. Sellers..... You have provided ALOT of information and I hope to implement them into my FIRST garage once i get moved into my first home!!! I want to move into it with a little bit of power and tradition.... Then to full traditional...... Just the pride you can take in knowing YOU made it... Every step of the way!! All the time you put in.... Just wow... Keep up the great work Paul! Love the videos!!!

Thank you Paul. I haven’t used a brace and bit since I lived at home, I’m 60 now. I’d just forgotten how useful it can be

Very technical and yet easy to understad. Great!

Fantastic. I would love to see another part about sharpening and more details about different kind of bits. I found brace and old rusty set of bits in my grandpa basement and your help would be invaluable.

The master at work!

Such a great tool! Thank you for this video. My 2 1/2 year old daughter used it recently with me to make a project for her mum. Total control and very safe 👍

Given my belated interest in trying to get into woodwork my Dad gave me a brace drill just like this that my late Grandad gave to him around 50 years ago. It is in immaculate working condition with just some wear of the original varnish on the handles. I love my Dewalt and Metabo battery drills, but I love this more. I feel a sense of calm when using it. I was recently helping my son make a rustic gin cabinet and I suggested recessing the screw heads that were used and then tapping in some dowels for a better look. No matter how careful I was, the power drill produced some tear out with a 9mm drill bit, so I got the brace out. As you demonstrated here, the brace gave so much more control and produced a nice clean hole for a better finish. I always feel a little bit emotional remembering my Grandad when I use this tool which we reckon is around 80 years old. He was an excellent wood worker and I wish that I took more interest as a boy. Thank you for the comprehensive info regarding the brace and bits. I found out more than expected, as usual.

Thank you!💜

The main advantage I find with my drill/driver is when drilling multiples of large holes or when I need to use one free hand for any other task - otherwise I try to use an eggbeater or a brace/bit as I learned from your instructions. I know I am doing something right when the Missus' cat is still napping quietly in the corner!! Thank you.

Paul, love the video. I use my bit and brace all the time and totally agree.

Thanks for sharing that

very informative thanks

I found a nice affordable one from a tool antique shop, now I am searching for bits.

I still use my Dads brace and bits plus a few extra that I have bought, wouldn't be without them, great videos.

Beautiful tool! Designed in a really smart way!

Thanks Paul, your voice is so calm and relaxing to listen to and makes your teaching all the easier to understand. I have recently been given my friends dads tools and a bit and brace was amongst them which I have restored along with the bits and some lovely old brass collared screwdrivers. I am self taught but would have loved someone like you to learn from in the early years. Whilst no where near as accomplished as you I enjoy making things as well as the bread and butter door hanging and second fixing. Keep up passing the knowledge along as I fear the skills are being lost as the machines take over.

My dad had one of these. Used to play with it when I was a kid :) Cool tool!

You're so right about the gentler approach to making a hole. I've seen many jobs where the tearing from using a power tool has ruined the finish. I always keep my brace ready to use, but I must watch your sharpening vid next. Thanks for a most informative video. Cheers, Andy.

I have a chair makers bit :O didn't know that what it's for thank you... Wonderful I have learnt something new today, my day hasn't been wasted.

Mine is not as high quality a tool and there's no spring to hold the two jaws open but it has always served me very well. I also made a standard jacobs chuck on a brace bit so I can mount any modern bit, such as a 1/4" hex drive tool. It's great! I've been using it for more than 50 years and it's still good.

great video.

I’ve got and old brace ‘n’ bit that I bought and started to restore a few months ago. Makes me want to get back to work on it!

My dad had 3 of these and cleaning out his under stair cupboard I found them but had no clue how to use them..... BLESS YOUR DEAR HEART FOR SHOWING ME HOW... 🙏💞🤗

Hi Paul I love watching your content I always learn a lot from you I have seen they just released tickets for makers central 2020 I’ve been to the two previous events and have been surprised both yrs that you weren’t there as a speaker it would be great to see you there

Good day sir, I have been looking all over the place for an explanation of the chuck (shell) that hold those square shank bits and your video was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you 👍🏻

These are great tools. I purchased a brace many years ago and had a few bits for it. It was only within the last three or four years that I realised the true value of them after seeing Paul use them. I have since picked up at least 8 braces for £1 each and sets of bits for a fiver each. I cleaned them up and gave them to friends and relatives. In all cases, they were rusty and needed tlc and lubricating. Cleaning the bits is easy using a brass wire brush on a bench grinder. If you want to go the whole hog, you can follow that with polishing mops and compound. For a little effort you can get a good set in working condition for less than a tenner. There are plenty videos on you tube on how to sharpen them but beware, the outer diameter of the bit must be maintained to ensure it bores the correct size of hole, so don't wear way the outside of the spur cutters. Paul, was that a centre bit lying on your bench? you didn't mention it. Could you please explain where that would be used and how to sharpen them as I picked up an incomplete set in my usual junk shop rummage bin for £5, but would like to know more about them. The set came with the screwdrivers a reamer and a couple of countersink bits. I have only used them for boring shallow holes in fence posts to sink the heads of coach screws but I'm sure they have wider use. Unfortunately the junk shop closed so my source has gone but there will be plenty available at car boot sales. Thanks for a great video and such clear explanation.

So glad I bought mine on eBay a few months ago now that the prices will be going up. 😀 Paul, thanks so much for this and all the other videos/blogs/classes.

I have had good luck chucking 1/4" modern screwdriver bits directly into the square checks without slipping.

Outstanding

Paul, you are like my wood working professor online. I love that I can watch your videos and take what you say for gospel. I recently have picked up an old Mohawk brace at a flea market for $10 US. It doesn’t need much restoring and I hope to add some bits and such to my collection soon. Thanks for showing me how to use it.

Just bought one of these for only two bucks off ebay having seen you use it in an earlier video. What a beautiful way of working compared to the electric drill and also a silent one. I can use that in the middle of the night as well as during the day in my workshop without any neighbours complaining. Thanks for that video.

A timeless tool-I think it was the first woodworking tool I learned to use. I have my father’s braces (he was a ‘trim’ carpenter and cabinet maker in the 20’s-40s) that have two different ‘swings;’ one standard and one with a greater swing distance for (apparently) work which required a greater torque; or use with a very large auger bit.

Takk for fin kanal.

I must get mine out from the back of the cupboard..... great video again, thanks Paul.

With so few words in the title, I'm not sure how I found this but am happy I did!! TY!

Very illuminating. I'm used to thinking about drills in the context of metal.

A really pleasant surprise to meet you in Eastleigh last week. I'd love to see the hand-cranked drill you mentioned sometime. I took up woodworking in my late 60's and have learned so much from your videos. Thank you.

I love all twelve of my braces!!

When I was an apprentice electrician in the late 1970's we had to rewire a very old mansion house which had oak beams the electric drill burnt out and the flat wood bits melted I ended up using a brace and bit to drill the holes as well as some large auger bits which used a broom handle to turn the auger bit and gues what it was quicker than the electric drikk

Got my three uncle's one and two from dad, one has a stubby bar and round knob for tight areas. Yeap got the hex bit adaptor from Workshop Heaven very useful. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

When we moved into our house in Connecticut it had plaster walls and the cable guy called for a bit and brace because he was afraid an electric drill would wreak havoc on them.

Used mine yesterday on some Teak. Really need to Sharpen them.

I do have two braces one high quality USA made Stanley and one sub-standard but not any brace bits.. I bought them from flea market. I do use them with electric drill machine bits and it's works for me perfectly. Thank you Sir Paul Regards from Karachi.

Hi Paul The DeWalt bit at 7:33 is for when you need to put a screw in overhead, it stops the screw falling off the bit. There are are special bits for inserting a screw flush, as they hit the surface of the wood they withdraw the screw driver bit

I’d forgotten about this tool. It’s still as useful as ever.

I have a couple of drill drivers. But, I still use my brace and bit. I have a set of spoon bits(I think you call them "shells"?) and a set of augers for it. I use it whenever I need a precise hole. With the tiniest bit of care a brace will create a perfectly round hole with no breakout on either side. Because the brace moves exactly at ones own speed, one almost never makes a mess. I have seen so many guys skid a drill driver across a finished surface, or drill an oblong hole because they are in a hurry. Because of the design of the auger bit, it is also very easy to make perfectly perpendicular holes. I also have a socket adapter for 3/8 drive and a hex head bits as well. I use it for screwing things as well. With the extra control you carefully drive screws into even the most difficult material without any fear. Vintage for the win in my kit!

I bought my first one yesterday in a flea market for 5€. A little rusty, but all is functional (jaws, mandril, ratchet) and I plan to use it for long time, after a little restoration.

Thank you for setting the standard of how to use my next wood working tool Im getting. Could you please do a video on transitional wood planes. I used my first one a 27 1/2 stanly and in a non restored state out classes all of my modren planers. Thanks.

I definitely want one of these. So much more controlled than the electric type.

The most amazing tool for removing old flat head screws, Incredible torque. I broke the bit my grandfather gave me tying to remove a screw much bigger than the bit. The modern replacement is rubbish by comparison! Great video Paul

Just bought my first bit and brace a few weeks ago I’m 16 my dad could care less about a bit and brace loves the power

Fabulous. I am just restoring a brace I picked up from a carboot sale. Do you, or anyone else, know what might be stopping the shell from being unscrewed. It seems stuck. Thanks in advance. Brilliant videos

I recently bought a set of auger bits. They are made for a power drill. But at low speed, and stopping to drill from the reverse side, I can accomplish the same thing. I had a hand drill 40+ years ago, just a boy then, building dog houses for some money for my Mom. Melancholy remembrance. Maybe I'll get one again. Thanks.

Oh nice, and I just bought a German made and Craftsman branded brace that has 3 spring loaded jaws in the chuck for a dollar at a yard sale. It's got a fully enclosed ratchet with a single peg thing that you position for either locking the ratchet for a traditional revolution use or for a left or right ratcheting function like a socket wrench. Love it. Only downside is that I have no idea how to comfortably disassemble it. I know from looking at it I have to drive out the two pins holding the pawls in place and the little roll pin on the side next to the pawls, but I'm not sure what to do next. According to georgesbasement, this was made based on an expired US patent by H.V. Smith and it has a little trouble with gripping bits.

You can watch a video on how to sharpen a brace bit woodworkingmasterclasses.com/videos/sharpening-auger-bit/

I've been wanting to buy a Brace & Bit to include in a camping tool set, definitely a lot faster and more precise than carving a hole with a knife, or even burning a hole using a bow drill.

I did buy one about a month ago now i wish i did have it in my tool box befor

had a brace and full set of bits for years (including screwdriver bits) unfortunately they were stolen in a van theft, it was great to use and very versatile, sadly i can't warant replacing them as i no longer do much carpentry

Great insight! Perpetuating the "good old" techniques & tools is indeed a debt of gratitude we must pay to the previous generations. Thank you Paul! As I would love to add this nice piece of equipment to my toolbox, is there a brand you would recommend?

Would also like a video about bit sharpening

I was given a Stanley brace as a wedding present, some fifty years ago I still have it, although It has spent many years lurking at the back of a tool drawer. But I had to use it last week. The only bit that I had of the correct size was a funky augur that I found at a motorcycle autojumble a long time ago. I bought it simply because I had never seen one just like it before. But having given it a few strokes with a file, it cut like a champion. And, as you said, I was in full control.

I often use those drill bits in a hand drill for large repeatable holes because if I wanted to drill large holes with a power drill I’d need a fairly expensive forstner set and have to recharge the battery

Looking at the brace you are using, it looks like an Irwin. Same jaws, same ash handles. New ones don't seem to be readily available in the US anymore, but Irwin still makes them in Brazil: Irwin 5420 12" Ratcheting Bit Brace. Searching, I couldn't find them in the US except on E-Bay. About $30-40 (including shipping) will get you a new one - and it is pretty nice. I have tried others (including a $70 Veritas which was complete garbage) and this Erwin is the best.

I might have my dad's brace... Did they all ratchet? Thanks for making me aware of this wonderful tool again!

Paul, I've been a carpenter for more than 40 yrs and i think its amazing how much more pleasant hand tools are to use than power tools if properly sharpened. NO DUST! just the wonderful crisp sound of a sharp plane. And the finish! unobtainable with sand paper. I'm learning wood working all over again. thank you for your videos. looking forward to the next one.

Thanks for another great educational video Paul. How much of the bit spur can be ground down before the bit becomes useless? I inherited a bunch of old abused bits that I'd like to restore?

The secret here is the sharpness of the bit and the fact you can sharpen it.

How eerie is this?! I was just looking at brace & bit on Amazon yesterday and thought to myself how nice it would be if Paul Sellers made a short video about that tool that I could watch before I buy one, and today you posted this video! Well, I watched the video, looks like I have to buy one now! Thank you Mr. Sellers, any recommendations?

Fisch make the traditional augurs bits in Austria. Highland Working in the States provide the specs of the old bits.

Thanks Paul. Think you need to know how the hand tools work before the power tools.

Paul can we please see a video from you on how to sharpen the bits?? Great video as always, a long time subscriber in New Zealand! :)

Great demonstration! When you have a few minutes to spare I hope you'll do a video on sharpening the bits... By all means we should take advantage of what "new" technology has to offer. But we'd be fools to throw away perfectly good "old" technology and skills, especially when it offers an alternative that does not require electric power.

Hi Paul, could you make a video showing how to sharpen the bits?

Love the video and enjoy using my brace and bit for those very reasons. Silence and control. But..... I've just been using my brace and bit - and now I can't remove the bit - is there an easy fix - is there a spring that has failed.

Paul, I still have and use regularly, the brace I purchased with my first batch of tools prior to starting my apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in 1976. One of my students gave me a brace she acquired at an auction. This brace has a number 1 Morse taper socket in stead of a chuck. I’ve never seen one before. Can you give any more information on this. The brace has a small swing. Perhaps you could enlighten your viewers on the use of different swing sizes in braces. Regards, Terry Gleeson (Sydney Australia)

I would love a video on sharpening the bits. Some old ones hav had their snails accidentally filed down by someone attempting to sharpen.

Thank you so much for showing the Brace and Bit. I have one that was my grandfather's. I only have one bit. Do you know where I could locate a small set of bits to fit it?

Hi Paul, thanks for another wonderful video! I recently bought a brace and bit set off of eBay, and was surprised that the holes it bored seemed very uneven and chewed up. Could that mean the bits are crooked and is there anything I could do to make them usable?

Would you recommend purchasing a new brace or look for an older one

What maintenance does the mechanism need? Cleaning and greasing?

I enjoy your program very a lot where do you get the attachments to make it work with modern bits

Brace-n-bit, the tried and true tool which is in fact, far better than an electric, battery powered drill. Only draw back to it is, if using to "set" screws, nothing will beat a hammer/impact drill for those unfortunately. They are starting become a bit hard to find now days though, with the true "shank". Most are hex shank bits now.

Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס״ד