Shopsmith Forums

Hey all! My 10er purchase came with all sorts of interesting bit and bobs that have me scurrying back and forth between the manuals and internet to learn their purpose. I came upon two forstner bits with these interesting square-tapered shank ends - shown below next to a round-end one.


My initial research revealed they are "drill bits of bygone days for manual operation, ie, for use with a hand brace, had a square shank that was inserted into the square drive at the bottom of the drill chuck of the brace. This stopped the drill bit from slipping in the chuck."

https://www.fine-tools.com/auger-bit-co ... shaft.html
(Yes, these cite auger bits but I assume the same era/use as the forstners)

Long way around this question: Are square-tapered bits meant to used in a Shopsmith 10er, or did I just inherit some cool bits?

You just inherited some cool bits. As you found they are used in a hand brace.

Cool bits it is! Thanks, John -

Great find! I have several braces, but no such cool bits to put in them.

Yes, I have an old hand brace and an assortment of square shank bits for it. None of mine are forestner bits, but mostly old spiral bits. I really don't use them. They just sit around and collect dust.

Wow- hand cranking on a forstner bit, the ancestors were made of some tuff stuff !

bainin wrote: Mon Jun 05, 2023 1:14 pm Wow- hand cranking on a forstner bit, the ancestors were made of some tuff stuff !

Actually, if you keep the bits sharp and apply no more pressure than is needed using a brace and bit is not all that difficult.

Anyone who yearns to clear their shop of out brace and bits just let me know. I'll send you my address.

dusty wrote: Mon Jun 05, 2023 4:07 pm Actually, if you keep the bits sharp and apply no more pressure than is needed using a brace and bit is not all that difficult.

And they will stay sharp longer at slow brace cranking speeds.

Anyone who yearns to clear their shop of out brace and bits just let me know. I'll send you my address.

I don't know how good the braces I have are because I don't have any bits to use with them. I paid somewhere between $1 and $5 for each of the 3 braces I have so I would be surprised if they'll end up being more than decoration. However, I'll try to remember your offer if I ever do get rid of any of them. Are you interested in any in rough condition? Any hints on appraising a brace found at a garage or estate sale?