1. What's so great about Fray Spofford braces? I mean, it seems like a good
design and the pewter looks cool, but one just went for $80 on eBay, unlabeled
and in unknown condition.

2. I have an 1880s-ish MF no. 14 brace with the Amidon jaws. It's in pretty good
shape, except the nickel is all stripped off the shell from vise-grips, which
tells me the jaws are problematic. (Also, I've used it, and the jaws are
problematic). Has anyone tried to retrofit these with a spring? Or put later
jaws in the chuck?

Best,
Max in Austin