Bought all 3 of these for a total of $16 at a thrift store! I feel that these may be gateway tools to what is probably to become a horrible (amazing) addiction. Now I just have to learn how to restore this kind of thing!
-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!
25 comments so far
WayneC
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14359 posts in 5559 days
#1 posted 08-11-2011 04:23 AM
Very nice. Brit has lots of experience in restoring braces I believe.
-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov
nordichomey
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103 posts in 4564 days
#2 posted 08-11-2011 04:32 AM
I love my granite top table saw and I am not going to get rid of it. That said… the addiction thing is real. When I make something with a machine I feel the machine should get the credit. When I make something with my hand tools (chisels, planes, braces, and handsaw) I feel it is a creation of mine.
Some nights I go out into the shop, turn on classic rock, and simply saw wood for over an hour. Scrap wood and assortment of saws… yes an addiction. Craigslist, garage sales, midwest tool association meets is where I have found all my OLD hand tools.
Be carefull. It is a lot of fun!
-- nordichomey
MedicKen
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1615 posts in 4924 days
#3 posted 08-11-2011 04:39 AM
Here is a recent thread on the restoration of the braces.
-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their [email protected]
Tim Kindrick
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369 posts in 4016 days
#4 posted 08-11-2011 04:44 AM
Those braces are in great shape!!! Did they come with any bits? I have a couple of braces just like the bottom two and several bits. I never use any of mine so let me know if you want them and maybe we can work something out. I will obviously never be able to use mine due to my physical condition and I’m not a collector.
-- I have metal in my neck but wood in my blood!!
docholladay
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1287 posts in 4521 days
#5 posted 08-11-2011 04:49 AM
The question is, do you want to restore them or simply get them to function. For the most part, as long as the moving parts move freely as they are supposed to move and the chuck will open and close as you screw it open or closed, there isn’t much more to do other than to clean them off the rust. Now if you want them to look brand new, you have a lot more work ahead of you and they most likely aren’t worth that much effort. I have 6 or 7 braces and am always on the look out for new others (as well as most other hand tools). Almost all of mine are intended for use (I just haven’t gotten around to sharpening/tuning/cleaning/whatever is needed, to all of them). I don’t concern myself with trying to make them look new. I just want them to function properly. All that said, clean off the rust in with your preferred method. Clean the parts and lubricate with a light oil to get them moving freely. Then put them to use. While I use my braces for drilling, my favorite use is driving screws. I can drive them just about as fast as I can with a cordless drill, but am much less likely to strip them.
Doc
Doc
-- Hey, woodworking ain't brain surgery. Just do something and keep trying till you get it. Doc
Tim Kindrick
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369 posts in 4016 days
#6 posted 08-11-2011 03:09 PM
Doug, Here is my braces and bits that I was telling you about….....
-- I have metal in my neck but wood in my blood!!
Dennisgrosen
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10880 posts in 4577 days
#7 posted 08-12-2011 03:14 AM
congrat´s
if you end end up with one of these or the fullframed modell you know you are hooked ….. LOL
Dennis
Don W
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20389 posts in 4029 days
#8 posted 08-12-2011 03:27 AM
no addiction here :-)

-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
Dennisgrosen
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10880 posts in 4577 days
#9 posted 08-12-2011 02:04 PM
right …. LOL
Dennis
Don W
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20389 posts in 4029 days
#10 posted 08-12-2011 02:44 PM
we’re in good company!
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
dakremer
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2771 posts in 4553 days
#11 posted 08-12-2011 09:54 PM
Don, I’m afraid my wall WILL look like that some day…..still just trying to figure out if thats a bad thing or not :)
-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!
Brit
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8511 posts in 4304 days
#12 posted 08-12-2011 10:35 PM
dakremer – Wayne is right, I do have a brace problem. I did write a tongue in cheek story about a brace restoration which you can read here. However, if there is interest in a proper step by step blog on how I restore braces, I am quite willing to do one as I’m just about to start restoring some more now. Let me know.
-- Andy - Old Chinese proverb says: "If you think something can't be done, don't interrupt man who is doing it."
dakremer
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2771 posts in 4553 days
#13 posted 08-12-2011 11:00 PM
Brit! I would LOVE that. While I believe these braces are fully functional (not sure cause i’ve never used one), I would love to restore AT LEAST on of them to “like new.” I would definitely be paying attention if you did a blog on restoring one!!
-- Hey you dang woodchucks, quit chucking my wood!!!!
Don W
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20389 posts in 4029 days
#14 posted 08-12-2011 11:18 PM
more toys is NEVER a bad thing!
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
Don W
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20389 posts in 4029 days
#15 posted 08-12-2011 11:19 PM
go for it Andy. It’ll be on my favorites list!
-- http://timetestedtools.net - Collecting is an investment in the past, and the future.
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