On Jan 15, 2008, at 20:09, Eric Seidlitz wrote:

> Hello all,
>
> Bottom line up front: What bits do you use with a bit brace? Sub- 
> questions:
>
> 1. Are some types of bits better for slow (hand) boring and others  
> better for fast (power tool) boring?
> 2. Can you use standard bits (short-ish, round shank) in a bit brace  
> with good effect? Even for masonry or metal?
> 3. What about expansive bits?
> 4. What about forstner and spade bits? I get the impression from the  
> Archives and from googling that these are more for power tools.

I would love to have auger bits.  But for the moment I'm using  
Forstner and spade bits, which work like a peach in my brace.  It's  
nice to be able to use the Forstners without worrying about burning  
the bit.  Never cut into masonry or metal, but I expect it would work  
similarly well provided the bit was designed for it.  Some of my twist  
bits are too small for the brace to grip, but those work fine in my  
eggbeater drill so I don't much care.  I have seen an extremely  
cheaply manufactured Chinese brace in a store once that won't grip  
round shafts, but I think that's more a mark of the poor workmanship  
inherent in the tool rather than a failing of braces.

My brother tells me that for metalworking it's important to spin very  
thin bits very fast.  I doubt this has any relevance for wood unless  
you make a practice of drilling with 1/32" bits (which won't fit in my  
brace anyway).  In fact for some bits (say, very large spade bits) the  
extra torque you get from using a good brace with a long sweep is  
significant.

The auger bits you're using are probably in need of a tune up,  
although if you want to find replacements for them good luck.  Lee has  
a section on it in his book.

Graham
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