Why would I want more than 1 brace?

[Jeff Skory]

Ok, first off I am having a blast playing with my neander toys. All of them are old, aside from Jr.'s holdfasts which just look old. :D

Now that my Roubo bench has been built (using power tools) I started on my first all-neander project. I am building a saw bench from scraps I have laying around. I'm loving the leg vise on my bench and really loving the holdfasts. Thank you Jr. for making these for me.

Ok, onto the subject of the e-mail. I bought a brace at a garage sale and a set of bits on the bay. I really like using a brace!! So much more satisfying than using a power drill. And the holes actually come out quite nice.

My question is - why would I want more than one? A lot of pictures I have seen of people's shop show several. Other than liking to collect tools is there a good reason to have multiples?

[Harlan Barnhart]

I have one with an 8" swing for smaller bits and one with a 10" swing for big bits where the extra torque is appreciated. Three jaw chucks are nice for round or hex shanks.

[David Gendron]

Good evening Jeff, It realy depend on what scale work you are working... If you only do smaller projects like cabinet and small furniture, I think that an 8" sweep brace is every thing you need... But on the other hand, if you work with bits that are bigger than 1", a 10 or 12" sweep is a little better, it make the work faster and easyer!

[Bruce Haugen]

you need one for regular drilling;
one for keeping a countersink bit in all the time;
one for a philips screwdriver bit;
one for a torx bit; and
several more because they look cool.

But you didn't hear that from me. :D

Bruce

[glenn bradley]

I have Grandpa's 10" ratcheting-reversible Millers Falls which gets used for everything.

[Pam Niedermayer]

Often I've found myself needing to use 2 or 3 bits interchangeably. It does get a little tiresome changing them out all the time. Other reasons are things like bit size and the space you have to work in.

Pam

[Derek Cohen]

I keep two set up with different sized countersinks - just wait until you try this out!
When you want precise, delicate drilling and screwing (such as for hinges), then you will want a couple of braces with a shorter throw on hand. Ditto braces with a longer throw for more torque when drilling wide holes.

So many uses ..

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Roger Savatteri]

.

While on the subject of hand braces ........

This one's about to come out from Bridge City,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inMTxg9zIxo

.

[harry strasil]

Well, like has been stated there are different throw braces. In my basement shop tool chest there are 8, 10 and 14 inch throw braces with spofford chucks, and in my demo tool chests there are 6, 8, 10 and 12 in throw braces, the basement set just have iron for handles, but the demo set has I think Cocobolo handles. I also have a large Wimble Brace with a spofford chuck.

[Derek Cohen]

This one's about to come out from Bridge City

That looks like BC have pinched my idea for the bit connector.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/EntryforAustralianWoodReview2009_html_74d25e59.jpg

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/EntryforAustralianWoodReview2009_html_m5b4ef059.jp g

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/EntryforAustralianWoodReview2009_html_6da73392.jpg

Article here: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ShopMadeTools/EntryforAustralianWoodReview2009.html



Not a lot of braces, but nice ones ..

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Workbench%20and%20Workshop/ToolCabinet1.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[mike holden]

Derek,
you said: "That looks like BC have pinched my idea for the bit connector."

And you pinched it from? (G,D,&R)

Mike

[Derek Cohen]

Hi Mike

Heh. My comment was tongue-in-cheek, but actually I don't recall seeing the connector used this way before I did so (in a brace for the 2008 WC toolmaking competition: http://www.woodcentral.com/contests/toolmaking/index80403.html).

That BC brace is a real beauty. I wouldn't mind one in my cabinet!

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Richard Niemiec]

I have 6, 8 and 10 inch throw braces in my kit. Low torque, low throw, high torque, high throw. Simple as that. It's been my experience that the 6" gives me the most control on smaller holes. Hard to find the 6" throw in the wild, however; 8s and 10s are much easier to find out there.

[Jeff Skory]

Hey thanks for all the feedback. I would definitely like to get a smaller brace at some point. How exactly do you measure them? I have a Pexto 4010N which measures about 5" from the center shaft out to the shaft in the handle that swings. Does this mean that this is a 10" sweep brace?

And Derek, I have seen your brace in previous posts and am in awe over its beauty. You are truly a master.

[Dave Matson]

the sweep is the diameter of the path the brace handle takes in space so your 5 inch deep handle indeed has a 10 in sweep.
Another handy feature of having multiple braces (other than 'just because') is one large size for your hollow auger and a smaller one for your spoke pointer. I've been trying to assemble a collection of Miller Falls 770 series lion chuck braces for a little while now. Still missing the 769, 773 and 774 :(

Miller falls also makes a 4-inch sweep brace, the No 15 and 16. They're cute, just like a Stanley No.1

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/39fae2f491.jpg

[mike holden]

Derek,
Bridge City used it on their original hand brace many years ago. Dont think it was new then. Similar connections were used in the early 1900's but failed to gain sufficient wide spread use to remain economically viable. For the earliest quick-connect braces, consider the ones with a mortice in the end and the bits mounted in tenons that go back to at least the 1700's.
Not much new under the sun, really.
Mike

[Tim Sgrazzutti]

Jeff, you need to read this.........it should answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=13090

My reason for having more than one: because I can:D!

[Derek Cohen]

Not much new under the sun, really.

Hi Mike

So true.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Jeff Skory]

Jeff, you need to read this.........it should answer a lot of your questions.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=13090

My reason for having more than one: because I can:D!

Tim, thanks for the link.

[Richard Niemiec]

the sweep is the diameter of the path the brace handle takes in space so your 5 inch deep handle indeed has a 10 in sweep.
Another handy feature of having multiple braces (other than 'just because') is one large size for your hollow auger and a smaller one for your spoke pointer. I've been trying to assemble a collection of Miller Falls 770 series lion chuck braces for a little while now. Still missing the 769, 773 and 774 :(

Miller falls also makes a 4-inch sweep brace, the No 15 and 16. They're cute, just like a Stanley No.1

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/39fae2f491.jpg

Showoff.......