Split-point twist drill with tapered square shank. There’re several boxes of different sizes at the local hardware store. Did people drill metal with a hand brace? The clerk said there used to be power drills that took this shank. View Image
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I have a couple of these that I got with an old hand brace.
I have drilled mild steel with one of them - actually went pretty well - heavy pressure & low speed (obviuosly).
Other use would be to ream a hole already bored with an auger type bit (in wood).
Never seen a power drill with the square shank.
Jim
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Dunno bout hand held power drills, but I remember my Dad's drill press. It had a chuck that would accept rond bits, bit it did much better witht he tapered square ones.
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Machinists' bits.
SamT
Thanks to everybody. I tried it in my drill press, but it doesn't have a socket for it.
I have a dozen or so of those in various sizes.
Also an extension that has the tapered square chuck on one end and a 1/2 round shank for a 1/2 drill on the other . I have wondered if the extension wasn't from the time of transition from bit and brace to electric tools. It would have allowed someone to use their auger bits for the bit and brace with the "modern" electric drill.
That bit you showed goes with a brace for metal drill or wood drilling. Some old hand crank drill presses I have seen also have chucks that would accept that end.
"Poor is not the person who has too little, but the person who craves more."...Seneca
How do you think folks drilled stuff before electric drills?? Might use a foot-powered or hand-cranked drill press if in a shop, but in the field it would be a chest brace.