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Current options for hand drills

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3K views 25 replies 13 participants last post by  MinnesotaSteve 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
What (if any) are good options for new hand brace and rotary drills?
 
#4 ·
No, unless it's Veritas brand then Lee Valley is just reselling something from another manufacturer.

Highland Woodworking also has some braces and hand drills. The brace looks to be the same brand as the Lee Valley, but is cheaper. I'm guessing it's a different model, but I don't have a lot to go on.

I think this is one of those things where vintage is better. There are so many braces and eggbeater and breast drills to there that they can be had at reasonable prices even after cleaned up. If you're interested there are some LJ members that sell them, post in the trade and swap forum.
 
#10 ·
Will need the drill bits as well….

I have one of each I can get rid of…....decide what "sweep" you would like to use…..then PM me…..

Note: Eggbeaters will take a "normal" round shank bit, like a power drill uses. Most two jaw braces will also take hex shank bits.
 
#13 ·
Fiskars make a surprisingly good modern egg-beater and they make a smaller one they call a "craft drill." The weird handle works pretty well, but isn't quite as good as a classic egg-beater for getting perfect alignment. I have one in my shop that has my countersink bit in it full-time though, and it's perfectly serviceable for that.

For modern braces, there are three jaw (made for hex-shank and round shank bits) and four-jaw (made for old-school tapered-square shank bits) chucks. You'll probably want one of each eventually.
 
#14 ·
Craigs list is probably not the best place to search for old drills. You'll have much better luck at flea markets and garage sales. I usually see braces at antique stores in the $10-15 range. Egg beaters seem to be a little harder to find, but still in the same price range.
Unless you get lucky and find someone who actually took care of their old bits, you'll need to spend time cleaning and sharpening. You'll probably be better of with new bits.
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
This thread brought up an interesting question. How did they get the wood handle around the sweep portion of the brace? Looks like it would have to be positioned there before the ends were bent up. Braces I've seen seem to be one piece wood, not 2 halves. I have a Millers Falls brace that has tenite (a type of plastic) for the sweep material, but obviously that was molded on during manufacturing.
 
#20 ·
Some manufacturers added the handle in two piece like Frey possibly but Millers Falls shows in this video that the wood handle was already in place on the shaft before being bent for sweep.
Starts at video run time 8:32


Sweep handles were made, then split, then glued back together when installed….Joint is right with the grain.

- bandit571
 
#21 ·
Regarding recently manufactured hand drills, a few years ago I bought a nice hand drill from Woodsmith. Not current production, but certainly not a vintage piece. I do not remember the price, but it must have been reasonable, or I wouldn't have bought it. The drill is very well made, cranks smoothly, and has a good chuck that can close down and grip very fine bits while having no noticeable run out. It sports the common hollow handle for bit storage and came stuffed with a variety of bits. It even came with a nice protective drawstring pouch.

Alas, I checked the Woodsmith website and I don't believe they are selling this drill anymore. Perhaps I have a collector's item!

Sleeve Collar Wrist Jewellery Electric blue
 

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#26 ·
I bought one of these Schroeder small hand eggbeater drills for my son to use.

https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/schroeder-small-hand-drill.aspx

They also make a larger one. Made in Germany and good quality. My father had a couple eggbeaters when I was growing up, no idea of brand I just remember one was red and the other blue. This one is as good if not better than either of those. Actually I might still have those old drills, I should check the box of tools my father stored out in my shed.
 
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