A bit brace / ModelT crossover

[Paul Catterson]

greetings Everyone. I'm dealing with a longstanding mystery: it's a brace bit, circa 1930, that has nothing to do with woodworking. The first pic I'm uploading is of the mystery bit; the second is of a reciprocating-shaft tool called a valve lapper.

The "teeth" on the business end of either tool are designed to sit in the notches that were on the back of many automotive engine valves circa 1915 to 1930. One would turn the head of the tool 15 degrees,then reverse direction (the crank-equipped reciprocating tool could do it quite quickly)

This brace bit has been thwarting me for decades. All identifying marks have worn off. Any leads as to its identity will be greatly appreciated

[Bill Geibe]

It looks like a version of a Zim valve lapping tool. They are still made: http://www.zimmfgco.com/valvetools.htm

Sioux tools made one also, but I think it looked a little different.

Bill

[Paul Catterson]

Right you are, Bill. The reciprocating device is a 1946 Zim. However my research to date has yielded nothing on the bit-brace shank device (and rust has erased any identifying marks). Checked Cleveland Twist Drill, Greenfield, Stanley, Millers Falls, W&B, and many others. The hunt continues. Thanks for your input.

[Richard Coers]

Did a Google image search and found an auction photo. It shows an adjustable version of your bit. Scroll down to lot number 113.
http://www.greatplanestrading.com/CF12/CF12.htm

[Paul Catterson]

Richard, thank you for the lead (and your search effort). I now know to include "bitstock" in searches. (that's one weird looking bit. Last year I sold a 1936 Duro-Chrome 1/2"" drive socket built the same way)

[Richard Coers]

I was surprised to see that some valves have blind holes in the head for these lapping tools. I only knew about the suction cup heads. I found one "how to" on an antique gas engine forum. That may be a place for you to ask about these kinds of tools as well. http://www.smokstak.com/ would be a good place to look first. I've always wanted to have a wood lathe run by a throttle governed hit and miss, or my real dream of a steam engine on the lathe, so I watch the gas engine site occasionally.