Site menu:

Spofford Style Braces

Antique Woodworking Tools 1897 : Bit Braces

Previous | Woodworking Tools Index | Next

BIT BRACES.

There are three distinct types of Chucks or Holders for Bit Braces, and in the Bit Braces shown here are em-braced the latest improved form of these different types. The first is the Spofford Brace, the second the Fray, and the third the Barber.


FIG. 3279. SPOFFORD STYLE.
This is a modification of the old Square Socket Brace. In the Square Socket Brace the shanks of bits had to be fitted to the socket. This Brace has a split socket which accommodates it-self to different sizes of shanks. It is a very strong brace, and although the sale is less than formerly, there are a good many mechanics who favor this style. This Brace cannot be furnished in the Ratchet form, which has doubt-less hindered the sale somewhat.
FIG. 3280. FRAY STYLE.
We dall this the "Fray" because it represents the style of chuck made by the John S. Fray Co. We think the original Chuck of this type is the Rose & Johnson. The Peck Brace is quite like this, and we remember selling a brace somewhat similar nearly twenty-five years ago. The brace we refer to had two revolving collars or sleeves, but, at any rate, it has been out of the market for twenty years or more. The cut of Chuck shows the construction only fairly well, as it fails to show the socket at the strongest point. To do this we could not show the jaws (at least that is what the artist who makes our wood engravings tells us, and he ought to know). As shown, the channels in which the jaws slide are cut out from the barrel of the socket. However, we think the action will be generally understood. The bit falls into a socket, which is practically solid, while the jaws center and force the shank into the socket, holding it firmly.
In this type of Brace there are a number of different makes. The best known are the John S. Fray, Rose & Johnson, and Peck, Stow & Wilcox. We sell the first named, considering it as being superior.
FIG. 3281. BARBER STYLE.
Bit Braces with the Barber Style of chuck have been on the market about twenty-five years, and this style is the best known and most commonly used. The jaws and sleeve are so constructed as to conform to almost any style of bit shank. The best braces of this style are the No. G80 (Fig. 3282 ), the Millers Falls and the John S. Fray. The first named are made in but one grade, while the other two concerns make a large variety, some of them very low in price. The prices on all three mentioned above are nearly the same.
FIG. 3282. G80 RATCHET BRACE.
(Barber Style.)
This Brace has Forged Steel Sweep and Jaws, Cocobola Handle, Lignum Vitae Ball Bearing Head, full polished and nickel plated. It is somewhat lighter than common, but on account of its compact construction, is as strong as any brace we know of. The Ratchet Attachment is superior. The Socket and Gear being in one piece, the centers on which the handle runs are Adjust-able Steel Collars. which may be adjusted for wear. When not in use the Jaws are constantly in position to receive a bit, and will not fall together.
In this Brace there are no parts piv-oted or secured together by pins, which can be cut off, bent, or broken by working it.
No. 10 11 12 13
Price, $1.95 $1.80 $1.67 $1.55
Sweep, 14 in. 12 in. 10 in. 8 in.

Ebay auctions for Spofford, Fray, Barber style braces. Old tools text follows.


FIG. 3283. G85 PLAIN BRACE.
With exception of the Ratchet Attachment this Brace is identical with the G80. Is well made and handsomely finished.
No. 0 1 2 3
Price, $1.55 $1.40 $1.25 $1.10
Sweep, 14 in. 12 in. 10 in. 8 in.
SPECIAL NoTE.—All the preceding matter relating to Braces was prepared before the Goodell-Hay Brace had been placed upon the market, which accounts for our not having referred to t h i s Brace in the first portion of the reading matter.
FIG. 3284.
GODDELL-HAY RATCHET BRACE.
This is an entirely new Brace, and marks a long advance in the Bit Brace line. It combines in a single tool the principal qualities of advantage t h a t are found in nearly all other leading styles.
First, it has the Self-Centering feature of the Barber style of law. Second, it has the Solid Socket feature of the Fray, Rose & Johnson and Peck styles, only that the socket is stronger than any of these. The third and leading feature is the Quick-Action Chuck; the jaws are thrown open by turning the knurled sleeve about one-half way around, the sleeve slides out and the jaws are open ready to take any size bit. The jaws are closed by sliding the sleeve down and giving it one turn. This can be done instantly; a bit can be taken out and replaced with a different one inside of five seconds. For quality of materials and finish it equals any-thing we know of, has Forged Steel Sweep and Jaws, Adjustable Cocobola Handle, Lignum Vitae Head with Ball Bearings, is Full Polished and Nickel Plated.
No. 50 60 70 80
Price, $2.50 $2.33 $2.16 $2.00
Sweep, 14 in. 12 in. 10 in. 8 in.
FIG. 3285. FRAY RATCHET BRACE.
A desirable feature in this Brace is that it will hold round shank drills or other tools from i to & in. as well as all square shanks.
The construction of Chuck is shown in Fig. 3280. The Crank, Sleeve, Jaws, Ratchets and Pawls are all of Steel ; Heads and Handles, Coco-bola; Ball Bearing Heads, all nickel plated and handsomely finished. A very fine Brace.
No. 66 86 106 126 146 Price, $1.25 $1.35 $1,45 $1.55 $1.85 Sweep, 6 in. 8 in. 10 in. 12 in. 14 in.
AS TO SIZE .—The most commonly used size of Brace for general purposes is the 10 Inch Sweep. We carry a great variety of sizes from the plain G85 with 8 in. sweep to the Spofford (Fig. 3286), with 17 in. sweep.
TORN CATALOGUES —Do not cut or tear catalogue as this destroys it for future reference. Order by figure number.