I Love Gimlets

[Mark Stutz]

No...not that kind. No gin in the workshop!:eek:

Some time ago I watched Chris Schwarze"s DVD onhttp://www.lostartpress.com/catalog/c52c3a8e-5cc8-4945-a472-e4116473f48e.aspx Forgotten Hand Tools. In it he describes and demonstrates the use of cut nails used in conjunction with dados, to hold the joint until the glue dries, or in that era until the glue failed. Hw uses a gimlet to bore the pilot hole. Looked pretty slick. I've been looking for some vintage ones ever since. Only ones I could find would need a lot of work, and in mostly large sizes, so I ordered a set from LV, since I was ready to attach the T & G backboards on m,y current project. These things work like a charm. I drilled angled pilot holes easily and with minimal fuss, and as quickly as with an eggbeater, and, for me, with more confidence that with my large cordless drill (Porter Cable:D;)) If you haven't discovered this simple little toll, you are missing out on something.

Mark

[Brian Kent]

You drill holes with gin and lime juice? That's some strong cocktail.:eek:

[Michael Faurot]

Some time ago I watched Chris Schwarze"s DVD onhttp://www.lostartpress.com/catalog/c52c3a8e-5cc8-4945-a472-e4116473f48e.aspx Forgotten Hand Tools.


I recently acquired that video as well, and found it very interesting. I just finished making a drawbore pin, and plane to give it a try sometime this week for some drawbore mortise and tenonns.



In it he describes and demonstrates the use of cut nails used in conjunction with dados, to hold the joint until the glue dries, or in that era until the glue failed.
By chance do you know of a good online source for cut nails? I've been wanting to give those a try, but haven't located any place locally that carries them.



He uses a gimlet to bore the pilot hole. Looked pretty slick. I've been looking for some vintage ones ever since.
[...] so I ordered a set from LV[...]
Thanks for the tip. The only new ones I had been aware of where from Garrett Wade (http://www.garrettwade.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=103739&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=103739). Looks like the Lee Valley gimlets (http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=32206&cat=3,41306,41329) are a couple bucks cheaper.



These things work like a charm. I drilled angled pilot holes easily and with minimal fuss, and as quickly as with an eggbeater, and, for me, with more confidence that with my large cordless drill... When you made your pilot holes, with the gimlets, did you use a cheater block like Chris Schwarz demonstrates in the DVD?

[Mark Stutz]

Michael,
Wouldn't surpise me if the sets by LV and Garrett Wade are the same. How many makers of these things could there be? I got the cut nails from http://http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40387&cat=3,41306,41324&ap=1 LV. I used the small ones...more like brads. I just eyeballed the angle rather than use an angle block.

Mark

[Michael Faurot]

Michael,
Wouldn't surpise me if the sets by LV and Garrett Wade are the same. How many makers of these things could there be?


From looking at the web pages, they do both look very similar. I'll definetly be picking up a set from Lee Valley with my next order.



I got the cut nails from http://http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.aspx?c=2&p=40387&cat=3,41306,41324&ap=1 LV.
I forget that LV sells hardware too. I should have checked there.

Thanks for the tips!

[Pam Niedermayer]

You might also like to see this page on Japanese gimlets (http://dougukan.jp/archive/eng/dougu-e/e08kiri.html). I started using gimlets 4 or 5 years ago when I was seduced by boxwood and/or boxwood handled tools, they're great.

Pam

[Dave Anderson NH]

Cut and other styles of antique nails are available from Tremont Nail, the oldest still operating nail factory in the US. It opened in its present location around 1810-12.

www.tremontnail.com

[Robert Rozaieski]

Woodcraft carries some of the Tremont offerings as well.

[Timothy Gallagher]

I really like these Gimlets made by Famag, same company that FWW rated tops for forstner bits:

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php/cPath/269_276/products_id/1388

[George Sanders]

I don't like gin, but I too love gimlets. When I needed more light in the garage I used a gimlet to install screw eyes in the rafters. I bored a hole and just used a small punch through the eye to twist it into the rafter. It was a lot quicker and handier than dragging a drill and drop cord around. The end result was a semi- permanent light that I can take down when I'm done because it interferes with the garage door when raised.

[Stephen Shepherd]

I use gimlets or pod augers for drilling through holes. This type of bit makes a very clean exit hole.

I use a brad awl for cut nails (all I use) as it does not remove any wood. Instead it spreads the wood out by cutting with its double bevel chisel point (placed across the grain) and twisting forcing the wood out of the way.

The nail is then inserted with its wedge (all cut nails have a wedge) oriented with the grain to reduce splitting. And all of the wood is still there to swell up against the nail if there is any room.

Stephen

[Tony Zaffuto]

Bit of advice: I have a set of those "LIKE" the ones from LV or Garrett Wade (can't remember where I bought them), anyhow, I find the wire loop handles a bit uncomfortable as well as flexing quite a bit.

While perusing antique stores, I have these very plentiful and cheap. The wood handles have an infinitely better feel! As an aside, every place I find gimlets, I also seem to find center bits and screwdriver bits, countersinks, etc. for braces. Also I always seem to find tool handles with them, although these are more of a novelty.

T.Z.

[Mark Stutz]

Sorry it has taken me a while to reply...haven't been ignoring you.

Pam,
Thanks for the link. Since I don't have any Japanese tools, I tend not to think of them, though admittedly I didn't do much searching for any other offerings other than the LV.

Stephen,
I've read something about brad awls, though can't put my finger on it now. IIRC, it sounded very useful. The gimlet was the easiest thing to use that I had, but it does leave a round hole. I can't remember what the working end looks like...can you post a picture of yours?
I'm not sure I understand about the wedge...I thought it was to be oriented cross grain to prevent splitting. It seems that if the wedge were with the grain it would promote splitting.

Tony,
I've only seen a few in the wild, though the wood handles are nice. I never found any of the small sizes, which is why I finally ordered the LV set. Still going to keep my eyes open, though.

Mark