OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

263511 John Ruth <johnrruth@h...> 2017‑10‑12 Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
GG's


Thanks to the generosity of Kirk Eppler, I am able to share with you the image
of the seven notched bits for either a multi-tool or an early brace which I
encountered at today's early-morning flea market:


https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-Galoots/John-Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A


(Image #15 in that album, file name IMG0867.jpg)


*One split-nut driver (!)


*One straight screwdriver or maybe this is a screw starter to make a hole to
start a wood screw. As I write this, I'm favoring the latter. It's business end
has a dull double-bevel edge of about a 45 degree included angle. Looks like a
larger 3/16" diameter version of a brad starter. Maybe it starts square nails?


*Three center bits. One is the smallest center bit I've ever seen. These are,
amazingly, actually sharp, BTW.


*Two are gouge-like bits which favors "multi-tool" as the real source, but brace
bits that look somewhat like this do exist. ( can't


One good thing about writing this up for OLDTOOLS and proofreading it is that I
can clearly see that I have some bits that hint at "Multi-Tool" but surely the
center bits are for a brace.


Many of them have a "B" stamped on the trapezoidal shank. I interpret the "B" as
an ownership marking.


Only two have other markings. One center bit has a partial stamp which would
read "CAST STEEL" if it had been properly stamped.  Another center bit is marked
"H. HAYES" in an old-fashioned typeface with serifs.



I talked the vendor down from $7 to $5.


This is an example of one of my rust-hunting mottoes, which is "You NEVER know
what you'll find at a yard sale or flea market! So, make it a point to be
there!"  These were found at an in-town Elks Club Flea that meets Tuesday,
Thursday, and Saturday.   Thursday is their "slow day" - there were less than a
dozen vendors.  There were still vendors arriving as I left for my day job.


As I arrived, I thought "this is going to be slim pickings!"  - and then this
dropped into my lap, along with an Ames shovel and a hand-held tailed apprentice
which came from a Wisconsin city famous for beer.


You just NEVER know!


John R.
263522 Charles Driggs <charliedriggs@i...> 2017‑10‑13 Re: Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
> On Oct 12, 2017, at 4:22 PM, John Ruth  wrote:
> 
> *One split-nut driver (!)
> 
> 
> *One straight screwdriver or maybe this is a screw starter to make a hole to
start a wood screw. As I write this, I'm favoring the latter. It's business end
has a dull double-bevel edge of about a 45 degree included angle. Looks like a
larger 3/16" diameter version of a brad starter. Maybe it starts square nails?
> 
> 
> *Three center bits. One is the smallest center bit I've ever seen. These are,
amazingly, actually sharp, BTW.
> 
> 
> *Two are gouge-like bits which favors "multi-tool" as the real source, but
brace bits that look somewhat like this do exist. ( can't
> 
> 
> One good thing about writing this up for OLDTOOLS and proofreading it is that
I can clearly see that I have some bits that hint at "Multi-Tool" but surely the
center bits are for a brace.
> 
> 
> Many of them have a "B" stamped on the trapezoidal shank. I interpret the "B"
as an ownership marking.
> 
> 
> Only two have other markings. One center bit has a partial stamp which would
read "CAST STEEL" if it had been properly stamped.  Another center bit is marked
"H. HAYES" in an old-fashioned typeface with serifs.
> 
> 
> 
> I talked the vendor down from $7 to $5.

John, 

Nice little gloat!!   Nice price too — I’ve paid quite a bit more for the
blacksmith made utility brace bits I have.

Center bits do come smaller than that, I can assure you.  I have two that are
roughly 1/8" and 3/16”.  The problem with quite a few I find is that the center
pivot is worn down to the point where the bit is useless, but you seem to have
some good ones.  I can’t say that I’ve ever found a split nut spanner like that
though - nice find!

Charlie Driggs
263523 Kirk Eppler <eppler.kirk@g...> 2017‑10‑13 Re: Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
I recently saw a set with a scotch brace that looked like that.

Kirk from the Droid

On Oct 12, 2017 1:23 PM, "John Ruth"  wrote:

GG's


I am able to share with you the image of the seven notched bits for either
a multi-tool or an early brace which I encountered at today's early-morning
flea market:


https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-Galoots/John-Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A
263525 Ed Minch <ruby1638@a...> 2017‑10‑13 Re: Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
What is the odd pair of pliers with the screw arrangement between the handles in
#14

Ed Minch
263526 "Ed O'" <edo@e...> 2017‑10‑13 Re: Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
That's a safety wire twister, safety wire pliers, etc.

If you go to Amazon and type in either of the above you'll see examples.

From Wikipedia " Safety wire or locking-wire is a type of positive locking
device that prevents fasteners from loosening or falling out due to
vibration and other forces."

Ed O'

-----Original Message-----

What is the odd pair of pliers with the screw arrangement between the
handles in #14

Ed Minch
263527 gary may 2017‑10‑13 Re: Today's Flea Market Finds: Notched Bits for a Multi-Tool Handle or an Early Brace
Safety Wire Twister.                             best---gam


How horrible it is to have so many people killed!---And what a blessing one
cares for none of them!
Jane Austen

      
  
 
What is the odd pair of pliers with the screw arrangement between the handles in
#14

Ed Minch




> On Oct 12, 2017, at 4:22 PM, John Ruth  wrote:
> 
> Thanks to the generosity of Kirk Eppler, I am able to share with you the image
of the seven notched bits for either a multi-tool or an early brace which I
encountered at today's early-morning flea market:
> 
> 
> https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-Galoots/John-
Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A">https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-Galoots/John-
Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A <https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-
Galoots/John-Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A">https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Other-
Galoots/John-Ruth/i-VdWKgm4/A>
> 
> 
> (Image #15 in that album, file name IMG0867.jpg)
> 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.

To change your subscription options:
https://oldtools.swingleydev.com/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

To read the FAQ:
https://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html

OldTools archive: https://swingleydev.com/ot/

OldTools@s...

Recent Bios FAQ