FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Bit and brace

bobbys | Posted in General Discussion on January 1, 2008 05:38am

saw a home movie that my dad took in around 1962. He was a builder and built homes in Engelwood cliffs NJ if anyone has ever been there, At any rate i asked my dad what were the guys using a hand brace and bit for, he said they were drilling the holes in the wood gutter for the downspouts, Ok this is just a detail but i enjoy watching old film clips and studying pictures of construction sites. They also had the metal nail on scaffold brackets. I was “helping” by picking up scrap lumber in the film, I was 9 then. I still have a brace but have never thought about useing it in years I never would have thought to use it for a wooden gutter downspout hole but then again have not used a wooden gutter in years.

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. Ozlander | Jan 01, 2008 05:43am | #1

    You'll have to tell all of those kids what a Brace and Bit is.  LOL

    Ozlander

  2. RalphWicklund | Jan 01, 2008 05:56am | #2

    I still have mine, as well as a box full of bits incl some expansion bits.

    1. bobbys | Jan 01, 2008 06:19am | #5

      We did use a brace and bit doing pilebuck work on docks while on a boat

  3. IamtheWalrus | Jan 01, 2008 06:07am | #3

    I went to school in the Bronx right across the "GW" from Englewood.A few times I stopped there to pick up friends on the way home to Maryland.Any video of building in 1962 sounds cool,I didn't even know they had home video cameras back then.

    1. bobbys | Jan 01, 2008 06:16am | #4

      my dad had one of those 8mm film cameras, They had the film stored for years and i bought it in to have a dvd made of it, On it was my first conformation and my grandfathers, My dad told me the whole story of building there and he did very well as the timing was good to build, Only thing was that he would be rich today if he kept a couple of lots,

      1. IamtheWalrus | Jan 01, 2008 06:20am | #6

        Yeah,but who'da thunk a bunch of tract like homes would be valuable one day.At least carpentry is it's own reward.

        Edited 12/31/2007 10:20 pm ET by IamtheWalrus

  4. User avater
    Luka | Jan 01, 2008 06:50am | #7

    I lived in Englewood Cliffs, NJ for about a year.

    75-76.

    Worked at a factory that made sew-on name patches, team patches, and such.

    Come time to sign zee paypairs to join ze union, I didn't want to sign.

    I read what the union was claiming it was doing for the workers in the factory, and they were not actually doing ANY of it.

    Couple weeks later, Vinny Gombah, (Short guy, greasy hair, chewing on a cigar), comes in, followed by a skyscraper who growled and looked menacing at me... And explained that NO ONE refuses to join the union...

    I signed zee paypairs.

    But apparently not until after a couple of the middle aged ladies who had crushes on me, literally pee'd their pants.


    A man, convinced against his will... Is of his own opinion, still. ~Anne McCaffrey

    1. bobbys | Jan 01, 2008 06:54am | #8

      I believe Vinny gumbah was from Lodi

      1. User avater
        Luka | Jan 01, 2008 06:56am | #9

        Well, he obviously wasn't stuck there.


        A man, convinced against his will... Is of his own opinion, still. ~Anne McCaffrey

  5. WayneL5 | Jan 01, 2008 07:23am | #10

    For electrical wiring, a bit and brace is sometimes faster than an electric drill.  One of these days I'd like to do a side by side race.

  6. User avater
    hammer1 | Jan 01, 2008 10:59am | #11

    We used bits and braces on a lot of things, since electricity on job sites was rare in the old days. We used them to bore the anchor bolts on the sills. plumbing pipes in cabinets and especially hanging doors. Boring the 2 1/8" hole for the lockset and the 7/8" for the strike and latch. In addition to the normal sized bits, most carried an expansion auger bit you could set to a variety of sizes. Another tool that you don't often see is the file for sharpening the bits. It's small with a long tapered triangle shape. With a sharp bit, you can bore holes that would stall a heavy duty 1/2" drill.

    Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

    1. theslateman | Jan 01, 2008 02:53pm | #12

      And if you want the screwdriver with the most torque- insert the proper driver tip in the brace and stand back.

      1. User avater
        Sphere | Jan 01, 2008 03:36pm | #13

        All of the old pipeorgans we restored were put together with some really big honking screws. I mean 4'' long x 3/8ths dia.  Straight slot heads as big as a quarter, with a huge slot.

        Brace and bit was the norm for those, I got lucky and found a really cool stash of drills and drivers that had tapered ends in some flea market or antique joint.

        In a true restoration every thing had to be repairable with straight slot screw drivers, not much room in there to carry in too many tools.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

        "Success is not spontaneous combustion, you have to set yourself on Fire"

  7. junkhound | Jan 01, 2008 06:06pm | #14

    Still have a few of those 'hanging around', more out in the barn. 

    For 'onesy-twosie' type task is a lot easier than hauling out an air hose and impact wrench or the 3/4 drive Souix.  Generally keep about 8 bit sizes all chucked up and a few drills.

    View Image

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Two Ways to Test Windows

New devices showcased at the Builders' Show make it easy to measure glass performance, u-factor, SHGC, window thickness, and more.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Podcast Episode 695: Saving Bricks, Cut-and-Cobble Insulation, and Waterproofing Foundations
  • FHB Podcast Segment: Waterproofing Below-Grade Foundation Walls
  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data