I found these in a jar in my Dad's garage. I don't know how old they are, possibly '60s vintage. Anyone seen them before?
formatting link
They are marked with the screw gage and length, and are tapered for the threads, shank and countersink, and some even provide for an extended hole, presumably to accommodate a plug. One is shown with what must be a removable stop.
I don't know how well these would work in hardwoods, but I used one to make the pilot holes to attach the back panels to my (plywood) bookcases. The screws fit perfectly. On a side note, the screws were "found" items as well; they were in the house when we bought it. Score one for frugality, even if I did have to drive them by hand, with a slot screwdriver.
Absolutely ... old style countersink pilot hole bits, used with a brace, all you used to see when I was a kid. They were easy to make, as many well equipped shops had, in the days when a trip to a hardware store may take days instead of minutes, an ancillary, coal fired forge (along with a large measure of necessary self reliance).
Those were I think Black and Decker bits. Sears also made a set. They were great for single shot countersinking. I didn't remember the hex shaft that I see on yours. They look in good shape. To keep them sharp you just put them on a stone and a few strokes they are sharp again.
Like a normal spade bit, they work better on softwoods. Careful if you use them on maple ... you may twist them from heat build up.
I have a sears set of these. The stop had three notches so you could set the depth of the countersink. They worked well, but I have gradually changed to the new Sears set which has a regular drill bit with a countersink that holds the bit. I seldom use "wood" screws anymore so don't need the stepped taper.
If I may, I'll take the liberty to expand on this thread, a bit, since we a re on a little "field trip", back in time.
About 2-3 yrs ago, I inherited a 1950s shop, which was used into the 1980s. All the major tools, Craftsman 10" contractor saw, Craftsman 8" benchtop table saw, a Craftsman and a Rockwell shaper dates to the mid 1950s and the Rockwell benchtop drill press is a 1949 model. Lots of hand tools, planes , vises, Rockwell router, B&D circular saw, etc., etc.
Long ago, I had posted pics of some of these items. Here are a few pics of similar bits, as you have, that came from the inherited shop. There are m ore similar bits stashed in my old shop, but I didn't go dig for them, for pictures, here. These particular bits were in the drill press cabinet, alo ng with many drill bits, sanding adapters, mortise attachments, etc.
formatting link
In the past, some of you have commented on other old shop accessories. I t hought to include pics of the custom made storage cabinet and the "Rolodex" storage turnstyles, that came with the inherited shop. Lately, I've been cleaning and sharpening some of these tools.
I don't know that I'll use all of these old tools, but I do use some of the m. When I have time, I clean them, sharpen them, get them in working order and plan to just display most of them.
When the prospect arises, I also use them to teach my nephews and their kid s their use and/or the same or similar use, as compared to today's newer to ols (at least the relatively newer tools I have), i.e., side by side compar isons, the safety improvements, use improvements, etc., when applicable. E xample: Even if they would never use a draw knife, by showing them how to u se one, and letting them give it a try, allows them the knowledge of the ol der tool and ways of doing things, a visit back in time.... and we have a g ood time visiting, too.
Good ol' Sears & Roebuck. I've still got mine. The notches in the shanks are to set the depth stop. I think I got mine in the '70s but they've been around longer than that.
I found these in a jar in my Dad's garage. I don't know how old they are, possibly '60s vintage. Anyone seen them before?
formatting link
They are marked with the screw gage and length, and are tapered for the threads, shank and countersink, and some even provide for an extended hole, presumably to accommodate a plug. One is shown with what must be a removable stop.
I don't know how well these would work in hardwoods, but I used one to make the pilot holes to attach the back panels to my (plywood) bookcases. The screws fit perfectly. On a side note, the screws were "found" items as well; they were in the house when we bought it. Score one for frugality, even if I did have to drive them by hand, with a slot screwdriver.
Those are great. Have adjustable stop for setting depth for head or a button plug or just a flush plug. Wish they were still made. I have used them for years. HOWEVER , The first part will break if used in hardwood. How well I know. Would buy more if still available. WW
I had an electric drill motor (hand drill now) I bought in 1952. It was 1/4" chuck and very fast. It was a universal motor (AC or DC) and was noisy. It finally lost the bearing (bushing) and I replaced it 10 years ago or so.
It was very fast and had a 4" saw blade and a stand for it. It was great drilling small holes and the flat drills worked nicely.
Replaced it with a nice hammer drill - 1/2" chuck - hand model with cord. Batteries don't last through the summer or the winter here in Texas.
Mart> Greg Guar>> I found these in a jar in my Dad's garage. I don't know how old they
I found these in a jar in my Dad's garage. I don't know how old they are, possibly '60s vintage. Anyone seen them before?
I have a set similar to that that dates back to the early 70's. I used them for years in soft woods. They worked pretty well but dulled fairly quickly. When I noticed that they were running hot or not cutting very well I'd touch them up with a file (pretty soft metal) and get them going again. Eventually I was able to afford a set of the Fuller taper-point drills and countersinks, and put the flat bits on the shelf. I hardly ever throw a tool away, so they're still there and I take a nostalgic look at them once in a while when I happen to notice them.
Yeah. They are from the 60s. IIRC, Sears used to sell them. The light slots on the shank are preset marks for a spring loaded stop. It did not hold well.
With a brace, really? I remember my Dad (and my grandfather) having bit braces and a hand-crank style drill as well. I think I used them a few times, even though my Dad had power drills as far back as I can remember. But I always associated bit braces with auger bits. I'm surprised that flat bits would work well at such a slow speed.
I imagine that the difficult part would be to get the two sides of the bit to be good mirror-images and symmetrical about the center line.
They worked nicely on the plywood, but I could tell that the bit wasn't exactly slicing through like it was butter. I suspected the warning about harder woods. I used the bit as much out of curiosity as anything else, and the screws I used were just about perfectly suited to the bit, and the task. Moreover, both were free. But for the slot heads, the whole process was a pleasure.
similar bits, as you have, that came from the inherited shop.
Cool stuff. Spade bit heads that "plug in" to an extension shaft? I've never seen that before, and I wonder if that was such a good idea. I could see the thing vibrating off deep inside a hole.
I found a drill bit in the remnants of a plumber's shop; the biggest bit I've ever seen. It was an auger style, probably 2" in diameter and 18" long. I imagine it was used for installing water and heating pipes. I shudder to think what kind of drill (or if hand-turned, what size human being) drove this beast.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.