Useful Stanley's accessories brace bits

My draft entry for the boring till tool holder is awaiting me actually finishing them holders... Too many distractions right now :-)

So instead here is a post on some tools that recently "Followed me home" Tm :-)

You know, I just had to play with them... These tests were with the tools as found, I did not touched up the cutting edges (but I will later)

But first, lets introduce the tools in questions:

The bits

From T-B

Stanley No 22 Dowel sharpener, and 

Stanley No 18 Countersink

STANLEY No 18 Countersink, brace bit, nickel plated.

This countersink design features an hollow head and a cutting lip formed by a cut after the casting.

Hard to see, but the inside of the bowl has 

a pretty rough casting surface left

Cutting edge being formed by a single cut

In order for it to work, that cutting edge must 

protude slightly from the other side of the cut.

There is evidence of file work on that side to lower the edge.

The cutting lip, thus made is sticking out slightly.

This results in a shaving action rather than a scraping action as typical of most countersinks models. The end results are a lot more smooth surface left without ragged tear outs.

This particular bit was manufactured by Stanley 1872-1933

But it was first produced by GB Wheeler.  US Patent 101796 was assigned to Asa Wheeler on Apr 12th 1870. This design was first produced by GB Wheeler and then Stanley.  

Hence the earlier models are stamped G.B. WHEELER, 

then later on Stanley in various scripts

G.B. WHEELER, and 

PAT'D APR 12 1870

These 3 pics from EBay

DATAMP screen shot

 When did the change over took place? I have yet to found out...

Somewhere between 1909-1914. If anyone knows, please chimes in.

The 1909 catalog shows only the Wheeler countersink, and the 1914 shows the Stanley Nos.

It does shows up in the Stanley cat No 34 of 1914 (LAP reproduction)

Notice there are 4 numbers?

These countersinks are showing as No 18, 20, 23, 24

The differences?

No 18 is Nickel plated

No 20 is same thing with the addition of a depth gauge

No 21 not listed

No 22 is the dowel sharpener will see next.

No 23 same as 18 except finish is "black forging"or blued steel

No 24 same as 20 except finish is "black forging"or blued steel

In the Melhuish catalog of 1925.

Notice the improved pattern:

Double lip countersink

So how does it work?

Well first we need some sort of hole, in order to countersink it...

Will be using this chairnaker brace with a fixed spoon bit 

The throw is about 2-1/2 inch (5 in sweep)

The bit is a tad more than 1/4 in 

Cut effortlessly in cherry wood.

Notice how the piece is secured down? Good glue joints :-)

  

Nice chips, shaped like a ball 

Did a pretty good , clean hole

Finally, we can use the countersink...

Work pretty clean also...

Now lets try the No 22 Dowel sharpener

Manufactured between 1892 to 1953.

Was changed to a round shank in 1953, for uses in electric drills

Work like a pencil sharpener

Does a pretty good job, as is. Both could be improved somewhat by a quick sharpening. In both cases, we only have to file the cutting lip.

There you have it, two very useful additions to any brace bits arsenal.

 Bob, who managed a quick trip in the shop in between everything else...