Fig. 35. Common Forms of the Brace
After the rubbing, reverse the chisel, lay the flat side firmly on the stone, and draw toward you. This is to straighten the wire edge which has been turned over by the rubbing. The wire edge may then be removed by drawing the cutting edge across the end of a block of wood. When the chisel is nicked or very dull it must be ground on the grindstone.
16. Brace and Bit. The old-fashioned augers and gimlets have given way to the modern brace and bit.
Fig. 36. The Center Bit
The brace, which is sometimes called the bitstock, allows both hands to be used continuously, which was not true of the old-fashioned auger. Several varieties of the brace are in use, the ones shown in the cuts being common.
Bits are designed for a variety of purposes, the name being applied to a tool which is to be turned by the brace. The old-fashioned center bit shown in the cut possessed most of the essentials of a good boring tool.
Fig. 37. The Auger Bit
The sharp spur in the center allowed the hole to be accurately placed. The lip on the outer edge cut the fibers in a circle before the chisel edge began to remove the wood, and so a smooth hole could be bored; but considerable pressure was necessary to force the tool through the wood.