I found this old 1" auger bit in a box of tools at home, no name on it anywhere, possibly used for drilling holes for treenails in barn construction. I assume my father bought it with intent to use, he liked his hand drills and brace and bits.
The auger looks manufactured but the handle end definitely looks blacksmith or homemade. Having worked with a two handed post hole digger, I have no interest at all in putting it to work.
4 comments:
What! You don't want to use it? LOL. That's a real beauty actually - hand made. But absolutely some really tough work. I have some of my dad's old hand tools, including the Yankee push drill (which I DO use from time to time) and some of his really nice Brace Drills (which I RARELY use, but I do handle and oil, from time to time). One thing about this auger drill - it won't break your arm (or neck) like a 'stuck' 1/2" heavy duty Makita will. For some real pretty new hand tools check out GarrettWade.com - some things you can still buy.
Ok you've convinced me. I'll clean it up and sharpen it if it needs it and try it out. But only on block of pine, no hardwood. It's a nice enough looking tool, but the half turn increments would take the fun out of it, I think. I've worked hand fence post augers.
But I've also seen half inch electric drills get wrenched out of my hand and turn till the cord pulled out, so far I've been lucky and haven't been injured.
Garrett Wade and Lee Valley up here in Canada... nice catalogs for sure. Thanks for the comment!
Yep - a 1/2" drill spun me upside down on my head before I knew what was happening. Lee Valley - oh yes - lots of nice tools there also - porn for the wood workers like myself. I've done business with both of them. Mostly for buying tools that are so nice I hate to USE them! But, a quality tool maintains (and often) increases in value. I have a gorgeous Stanley Bullnose or Shoulder plane that was my grandfathers. You can't buy one like this anymore.
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