Old Tools!!!! How we used to do it!! this is the Brace and bit 

One of the things I enjoy most about using old school hand tools is the absence of screaming noise. No ear muffs, no dust mask, no trailing cables or flashing lights of dying batteries just the gentle sound of a mallet on a chisel or a handsaw humming through wood. So much more relaxing for everyone around.

Aww - lovely trip down memory lane! We ol' git handymen love to reminisce!!!

Those were the days - Woodwork in School in the 60's 🤠

Well that’s taken me back to 1973 when I started my apprenticeship in the joinery mill, used a brace and bit all the while, including screwdriver bits and drill bits that fitted into the brace. Still got and use all my carpentry tools I bought in 1973 and still going strong. 👏👏

The good old belly brace. I remember the amount of energy and core strength needed when drilling out lock mortises. Just before the Makita cordless with the battery in the handle took off. Fast forward 37years😂 Festool, massive progress in tools. Enjoy your video’s plus same age and profession 🙏🏻👍🏻

I started in '84, after 2 years we had one battery drill between 6 chippies. Learn the normal way (for the last 2000 years +) and you can not go wrong.

Sometimes it's nice to cut joinery by hand. I made my mum's kitchen table using only tools I could take down on the train, which was a good set of back saws and my Ashley Iles firmer chisels. It felt good making a table for my mum the way her dad made his. I met Ray Iles a few years ago, we chatted for well over an hour about tools and toolmaking.

Absolute quality.. ive still got mine. And my yanky driver in my stack system just incase the batteries die... how lazy have we become..?. Cheers Robin.. nostalgic but so true.

Still got the tool box I made when starting out, along with my old school tools.

Still got my brace and bits in my old school wood tool box

Only yesterday evening, I went to inaugural local gathering of old private boarding school boys. At 68, I was oldest by a long way. Mr Wright, head of maintainence and a joiner by trade used to run 7 hours of open woodworkshop a week. In, effect, I had an apprenticeship making loads of furniture, all with handtools plus, for us more advanced, the lathes. One of the other guys did same about 10 years later. He immediately imitated Mr W sharpening chisels on the oilstones. Mr W became a teacher and head of woodwork department to pass on his trade. Got a load of tools for 18th birthday and trawled the used bits and pieces shops in sidestreets of town. 50 years ago. Still have many of the tools and heavy sash cramps. The brace went a long time ago but I still use augur bits in the cordless drills. I still have a set of mortice chisels, so score and drill to same width as chisel instead of that bevel-edged chisel

I started like that. No such thing as cordless tools back then. For a number of years all the tools I had fitted in one of the old school carpenters bags made of like sacking. It is still in my shed with some of my old tools. Including bit and brace. And hand drill. My first power tools were an electric drill. And a 9 1/4 inch Hitachi circular saw. That was it for a long time. That saw still works. I was ripping hardwood slabs with it only last week. 40 years old. With regular use. Still going. All that has ever been done to it are several sets of brushes. Try that with a modern saw. The original cordless tools were quite frankly rubbish. But you didn't know that then. Nowadays they are pretty good. The generation now don't know how good they have it. Those old tools though taught you how to work with the wood. You felt your way through jobs. I believe that was beneficial. A lot today don't have any understanding of the medium they are working on as a result of skipping the hand tool phase. But time moves on.

Golden era mate! If you're doing a series, the Yankee screwdriver would be fun to see. Nothing like trying to keep that beast in the slot ;)

My clinker-built commercial fishing vessel was in a place without electricity, and anything that had to be done, that could be done without going into a boatyard, required hand tools. Compass and other planes, spokeshaves, drawknives and similar tools were used. What did change for the better was the availability of Sandvik auger bits, and handsaws (Bahco etc.) that were sharp, inexpensive, and could be deemed "disposable" when blunt. One of the downsides, when battery tools became more widely used, was that they aren't anywhere near as controllable, especially when you're bent double, upside down in the bilge of a wooden boat. The "wrong" holes then became a feature for some repairs.

Brings back so many memories the old brace and bit

You could even use a sweep brace to remove stubborn screws. Still have all my screwdriver bits for it as well!

People used to start cars with them things - ask Roger!

As a carpenter of 47 years I use my ratchet brace all the time . When I was an apprentice we were forced to buy the devils tool "The Yankee screwdriver" I just could not get on with them. Luckily for me one of the guys I worked with also did not like them and used his Brace as a screwdriver . I soon had a set of screwdriver bits and never looked back . The brace screwdriver can get in to places battery drills cannot and drive the biggest screws either in or out.

I used to hate doing mortice locks with them

I was late in years going to carpentry. But the man i learned off, was fitting internal doors on new build, see him hang 6 doors and locks, using hammer and chisel for hinges. Bit and brase for mortise locks and spindles and key holes. And Yankee drove all screws. Done in quick time, and perfect margins. He had a beautiful leather roll for all his brace bits. Think myself this is how you get the feel and touch in your arm and hand for work. Like Drive a 4 inch nail with power and know how to caress a chisel for butt hinge or a mortice lock face plate. 🤔🇮🇪

I remember using a brace and bit. I started my apprenticeship in 1973.😂

Love the hole in yer trouser knee! I’ve got a brace n bit and it’s a great bit of kit ,if a bit medieval. Your channel is, if I may say 1st class Robin. Thanks.

Still keep one in the kit started same year as you used it for all the door locks and handles

Nice mortise

Love to see the brace and bit, I hung some doors for my son a couple of years ago and he was amazed when I got the brace and bit out to drill for the tubular latch, so much so he wanted one. Likewise I see people commenting on the 'Yankee' screwdriver, as I tell the students that was my cordless screwdriver back in the 70's and 80's. I actually have one of the original Yankee's made by North Bros before they were bought out by Stanley.

I still miss using a Yankee screwdriver.

Old school. I’ve got my Dad’s tools including the wooden toolbox he made as an apprentice when he was about 14. Fortunately he’s still alive to explain to his office worker son how to use them (although to be fair I was taught over many years). I’ve put those latent skills to good use converting an old garage into a workshop and gym (with assistance from you and Roger B). 👍

Excellent workout. I remember it well 🙂

I had one of these back in the day 86 onwards 😁👍

Old school cool. Robin

Very good to see tried and tested tools used

Very nice. I use my bit and brace all the time. I've got a new one with a modern chuck that accepts the new style augur bits and an old one for the old bits. Old bits can be a bit hit or miss when buying, but worth it. Such a satisfying tool to use and if you are building furniture or small projects as a hobby, it's a lovely way to approach the craft. I rarely pick up a power tool in the garage these days. Zero dust masks or ear defenders required too.

Technology may have changed but the principle is still the same of setting out. I'm the generation that was the last to learn with these old tools. The one tool I would never give up for the modern tools is my smooth plane. I do have an electric but it never leaves as good of a finish

Would absolutely love to be taught by this legend!

Chopped out in under 10 minutes while talking. Lovely work.

Nice!

Ah miss those days, loved doing locks like that mmmm. I remember when I bought my wheel brace

Been working with timber 15 years never used a brace and bit. Might pick one up and give it a go one day! Good work..

Great video Robin --it takes me back to when I was serving my time as a spark, in the late 70’s, when we all used one--indeed, I still have my trusty Stanley, albeit it’s hanging up in the attic at the moment--with the advent of the battery drill, life certainly changed-😂 best regards from Northern Ireland-

Hi Robin, I own a caravan up in Hamsterley forest and although it is great, we do not have electricity. I also like to make things and I use a brace with a quick release bit to screw the parts together, I have six braces, some with screw bits in and some for drilling holes of various sizes, I could not get the work done without them.

Nice-one Robin! I started my apprenticeship in '77. I'd love to 'vicariously' use a draw-knife, an adze, & an old-fashioned shaving-horse,through you.. ☺️👍

This brings back memories of using my grandads bit n brace to make my go kart back in the day

This just reminded of when I could go to work on a motorbike with my hand tools in a tank bag and a hand saw down the front of my jacket. I could do any job required. Now I have about sixteen macpak cases, three tool bags and various router jigs and templates all carried around in a long wheel base Iveco.

Nice Robin!!

I still have my late Father in law’s brace and bits. The bits are held in a homemade canvas roll up 😁 Great tool that I still occasionally use

This was a breath of fresh air Robin, thank you for reminding us how we used to do it. I still have my brace but the bits are gone to hell. Can I suggest for the task you had to hand, would you not have considered chopping out the mortice with a mortise chesil? Much cleaner and guicker.

Good old days + you used to have to sharpen the auger bit too, along with the jubilee clip on your Yankee screwdriver so it wouldn’t roll off the bench 😂

When I first started in the Carpentry game back in the 80s my boss used to say to me " Jim before you put your pants and socks on in the morning, put your pencil behind your ear and grab your tape measure"

Thank you Sir🎉 😅

Just as important is learning how to sharpen tooling. Even a well sharpened spade bit is a fantastic tool and infinitely resharpenable

I popped onto a job today to pick some stuff up and my mate who is a chippy was hanging some Oak doors, a young lad was chiselling what looked like some hinge rebates from a waste piece of 4x2, i said what are you doing theres a router in my van ,my mate says he is the new apprentice he has to learn the proper way first. My Dad only used a bit and brace and i did when i first started, great vid👍👌

Great video as ever... Just digging out all my old brace and bits and a few old hand tools.. A few good charity's out there that clean them up and they get sent off the Africa so they can be used again...

The big build!

Thanks Robin, I still like to use the brace for some jobs, nothing else gives you quite the same level of control, If you know the bits you're using well, you can predict the depth by the number of revolutions as it advances with the screw. I think it's also worth pointing out that this is (as you pointed out) quite hard Oak, whereas in soft wood you would not have to apply much downward pressure as the screw would often be sufficient to pull the bit in ! These are underrated tools and are available so cheaply second hand, that's the best place to source them, some new ones are pretty poor quality by comparison ! Doesn't 1986 seem a long time ago, we must be a very similar age, I think ! 😉😂

I'm a spark mate, started my apprenticeship in '93 and we didn't have any battery tools until I came out of my time. Obviously you had to plan when you needed the power on / isolated to run any drills. And it was a case of running up a ladder with the power flex over your shoulder. If we asked an apprentice to work like that now they'd be straight on to hr.

👍🏿👍🏿 Quality

Thanks for the reminder about using hand tools. I only recently discovered augur bits are available for power drills. I expect they deliver a lot more torque. Looking forward to finding out.

Sounding a bit out of breath there Robin 😂 Nexy old school can you show people how to take a big lump out of your thumb/forefinger 'web' with a Yankee (been there done that!!)

You sound exhausted mate , best get back to your festools 👍

As others have mentioned, it's lovely to see the hand tools and traditional methods. I'm not sure what it's called, but have you seen those bit and brace that have two crank handles and a bevel gear. You sit astride the base of it and it holds it vertically in a frame.

Is that a ski slope cable car in the garden? I love to see these old oak framing techniques.

Started in 80 as an apprentice carpenter/machinist. Still love hand tools tho

True craftsman at work! Robin.. are you going to release a line of chisels with your other tools?

You can't beat the satisfaction of using your own strength, dexterity and perseverance. Nothing gives you as much satisfaction as using man-powered tools (or is that politically incorrect nowadays?!?) Anyway, brilliant video as usual, Robin. Back to basics. Can't beat it. Great job!

Great video. Maybe you could make a series of using vintage tools and techniques.. also, during your apprenticeship did you use the "egg beater" type brace? Thank u!

Used one a lot back in the 80’s before using a drill. Also had a yankee screwdriver thought that what brilliant until you slipped of the screw and went into your finger

Don’t miss nearly taking your eye out with a Yankee screwdriver!

No old school chippy would use a metal hammer on a chisel Robin….. 😉. All mallets as you know. Good speed even when going old school

Hi Robin,I still have two of these braces plus different bits of various sizes all of these sizes are in imperial ynits

Positively antediluvian. You could imagine Noah making his ark with one of those. 😉

Sounds like it was good for your cardiovascular 😉

Never seen Robin out of breath before lol

Something I’ve always wondered, seeing how many fixings you put in with a nail gun, did you put that many in when you hand to drive them in by hand?

Great work out,always good practice not to have the chisel pointing at your nut sack thou😂

Nightmare! Thank god those days are long gone! 😂

I bought a really old wheel drill the other day, set up as an ornament, probably 60 or 70 years old.....made by Metabo

Interesting old school tools !!! Any updates on your square mate

Hi robin great video I got my grandfather's brace and can you still buy the auger bits? I know you can buy auger bits suitable for standard electric drills also I noticed that your chisel was very sharp I myself enjoy basic woodworking but find it difficult to sharpen my wood chisels I got the trend fast track mark 1 but I still cannot get them really sharp have you got any tips that I could try 👍

This may of been said before. We knew it as the brace and bit. Which to me seemed to work as the brace was always the same and the bit would change. Strange how different parts of the country would refer differently

There is a charity who take donations of tools, mostly carpentry and building, but many other types also, and make up kits to send to poorer countries for people to earn a living in a trade They're called Tools For Self Reliance, and have been doing this since the early '80's.

Rob, for chisel wooden hammer🤭

I always called it brace & bit and end grain was the top of the timber, where you can see the annular rings.....??

im exactly same age we never had to this way except college but yes there was times it was neeeded to be doe, rob is classs tradesman end of storry

My Dad had one of those, tho he was only a DIYer. Always called it a brace and bit, rather than bit and brace. Wonder if it's a regional thing? He was from the Midlands.

As part of our training we had to make a metal block, with various machined surfaces using a lathe and milling machine And then had to cut a section off with a hacksaw at the end I might have needed to make a second block Some guys were on their 5th 😮

Finding 2nd had braces, no problem. Finding decent auger bits - 2nd hand or new seems a problem. Any recommendations for new auger bits? Thx

Will you be getting the Yankee screwdriver out Robin?

Just need a battery vac to remove bits of wood from trench😊

Am I the only person who has always called it a Brace and Bit?

'Because thats just the way it is'. We try.

I’ve heard,back in the day, Roj used to use his schl*ng before he could afford a wooden mallet to accompany his wood chisels….

In my training, I would not have gotten away with the starting angle on the chisel; leaning away from the mortice, that shoulder line will look like a gap. However, to be fair, my training wasn't carpentry and as you rightly note, tolerances are tighter in joinery, furniture etc.

Certainly the 'green' option: no environmental impact from the manufacturing and subsequent disposal if all those billions of electric power tools.

If I have to unscrew/screw a lot of slotted screws, I still like a yankee screwdriver.

what about your yankee screwdriver?

I was always told it was brace n bit

I think the swing on that brace was a bit small. Much less effort with a bigger swing.

Word of warning: don't thump chisel with bare hand. Always use mallet or hammer. Your hand bones will thank you in old age

Did you know that with a brace and bit we used them as screwdrivers

I’m sure your friend Roger Clevett used these things back when he was an apprentice in the 1800’s