Richard.Wilson wrote:

>...a brace and bit is quiet, civilised, and 
>satisfying...   Keeping it level is trickier, 
>and newbies here may not know that a
> large washer, hung on the plain portion 
>of the bit shank, is beautifully simple 
>telltale. As the shank revolves, the 
>washer will move according to the slope, 
>and when it runs in the same place, 
>you're boring level.<

This is new to me, and I'd like more detail. What do
you hang the washer with, a few bits of thread? If you
use thread, what do you tie it to to keep it level? Or
do you just slip it over the chuck end of the bit
before you chuck it up? 

Tom Conroy
Berkeley

	
		
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Earlier, I said about boring..
>>newbies here may not know that a large washer, hung on the plain
>>portion of the bit shank, is beautifully simple telltale.

and Bookbinder Tom enquires . . .

>This is new to me, and I'd like more detail. What do you hang the
>washer with, a few bits of thread? If you use thread, what do you
>tie it to to keep it level? Or do you just slip it over the chuck
>end of the bit

You've answered your question here Tom, just slip it over the chuck end.
Go downstairs/upstairs/outside to the shop and whack a bit of scrap in
the vice and try it. Works anywhere you need to bore on the level.

Richard

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OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
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I would suggest that you find a saddle ring or
something large like that.  That way it will go over
ANY bit you put in the brace.   Slip it back past the
sprials to the shank and let it hang. That is what I use.

Bill Fariss
Sterling, Va.

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OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
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