23. The Best Braces & Bits

A look at braces and bits and all the varied 'boring' things they can do, from holes to countersinks.

[autismschild]

I just purchased two of your books from Amazon, Graham. I had no idea you are an author, not to mention an author of so many books.

[enfermocerebro]

As a hobbyist, I learn mostly from DIY videos... Learned a lot, but still have the feeling of missing something important... Thank you for filling the gaps of DIY, one bit at a time.

[jimfromri]

Boring versus drilling. I never knew that! Thanks for another great, informative video.

[yousifalyagota]

Thank you for all your shows all are useful and wonderful. Teaching the old methods and showing old tools and how they work thank you and appreciate your time

[elvinscott]

Thank you. I have a rare brace that I didn't know the name of. I guessed what it might be. That name was confirmed when you displayed your book. It was a Corner Brace. I will buy your book. Thanks again!

[roman_le]

One day I bought a brace and a set of single-twist auger bits.
I often prefer them over an electric cordless drill and Forstner bits.

[tuffymartinez]

Thank You Graham... I always have time to stop what ever I am doing and enjoy your show

[ReedHummel]

Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge here, Graham. It's greatly appreciated!

[haroldschultz]

As always Graham, wonderful job and tutorial . I was highly envious of the frame brace . Thank you for all these informative videos . Blessings to you sir .

[TonKuipers]

Thx Graham for Sharing your knowledge and experience in this lovely craftmanship

[deerndingo]

Thank you for doing this. So much knowledge is being lost. Hand tool work needs to be conserved.

[trendkill]

Great video Graham, some useful information. I got an old brace from a car boot for no money, and have found it really effective so far when used with an adjustable hole cutting bit.

[thomashverring]

I absolutely love these videos! Excellent information superbly given!

My big challenge is actually not getting this information, but rather the same information about Danish and Scandinavian tools and the history thereof. I'm from Denmark and have learned much from abroad, but am trying desperately to learn about my own history. If I pick up an apparently Danish book from the library, they are often American books translated to Danish—but we do not have the same tradition of our crafts. It's a challenge indeed.

Edit: I'll still buy your books of course :^)

[MCsCreations]

Thanks for all the info, Graham! Really appreciate it! 😃
Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[jimneely]

While I generally reach for the cordless drill, I appreciate the use of the brace and have recently acquired a ratcheting brace. I don't use them all the time, but there are times when a slow turning drill is a much preferred method. Thanks for sharing.

[kevinbramer]

Thank you Graham for your videos. They are always a pleasure and very informative.

[douglashopkins]

It is a good book. Before now I had never associated it with your youtube channel. Good video.

[garypautard]

The short sweep brace was known to us old geezers as a electricians brace because it was useful for drilling through floor joists when running wiring circuits underfloor. When my Father passed away I discovered a cabinet with 3 braces plus a range of augers. Also were a rebate plane and many hand tools which probably belonged to my Grandfather but sadly I had a full range of power tools . Nothing else to do but throw them in a recycling metal bin. I felt awful .

[roadtriplover.]

Out of all the bits you’d suggest for the average woodworker, which do you believe to be most essential and in what size? Im just getting started and it seems there no end to tools that can be purchased, so advice tailored to newbies like me on this question would be helpful in videos like this one.

[liquidrockaquatics]

Today at a garage sale I found a brace that I have never seen before from the John S Fray company. Number 80 Bridgeport, Connecticut. Just from what I was able to google. It appears that this is a corner brace, but I don’t really see a useful function, except for the fact that it is non-ratcheting and you can apply slightly more force then a traditional brace. Have you ever found a reason to use one of these odd shaped devices? I actually bought this because I thought it would be fantastic to use with my disabled son so that I could hold it and he could help turn.