Reading an old book on boatbuilding, the writer says the _best_ tool for
removing old corroded screws, or any tricky screwing operation is a
screwdriver bit in an old brace (brace & bit cranked hand drill thing).
Sounds like just what I need, but a quick search reveals no source. Were
these items once manufactured? Are they still available? Posi also? in the
uk? with the old square section tapered shank for locking into the chuck of
the brace? Or can the brace be adapted to take a hexagonal shanked bit?

Tim w



Hello, here is your catagory for eBay, in England:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/
Collectables Tools & Hardware Tools Carpentry/ Woodworking

There, you can see your catagory links on your left, and you can select "UK
only" in a drop down.

Braces are usually two jawed (98% of them), and the bits have a tapered
square head. Just search through all the pages until you find screwdriver bits
and a brace you want, the best ever made are Yankee Bell system by North
Bros., and later the same by Stanley, as long as it is a Yankee. The model
Nos. are 2101 and the better 2100, 10" swing (5" depth) size is most common.
As I see it, you have braces available there, and drill bits.

The two jawed chuck will also accept shanks that do not have the tapered
square head, as long as it is set in deep enough, so you could cut the handles
off a couple of old screwdrivers, not skinny ones. For drill bits you will need
a bit sharpening file if you buy them used. Only that file is properly designed
for the job, made by Nicholson and available at Lee Valley, or needle files
and small sharpening stones.

Here is an adapter you can get from the US,
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...=1,180&p=42337
It will take 1/4" hex bits that are common, adapted to the brace chuck.

http://axminster.co.uk has a brace and the best bits that are new, but those
prices are beyond, I wouldn't do it.

If you can get someting like Craftsman "screw outs", they could probably
work in a brace as well:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...=00 952154000
I don't know if Craftsman is sold over there, check axminster for them.

Good luck,

--
Alex - "newbie_neander" woodworker
cravdraa_at-yahoo_dot-com
not my site: http://www.e-sword.net/