Ancient Drill Bits

[Birdhunter]

My brother-in-law gave me a box of Irwin auger bits that belonged to his wife’s father. They are for a hand drill. The wooden box is really aged but solid with nice box joints. The bits have light surface rust.

I’m not sure if I should remove the light rust or leave the bits as they are.

I’m thinking of using emery cloth if I decide to clean them up.

Any thoughts?

 

[guybo]

My favorites plus steel wool

 

[WillAdams]

Rust needs to be cleaned up/neutralized --- I like using Evaporust --- but you also need to consider if the tool needs to be preserved as an heirloom/antique, in which case a less aggressive approach, which will preserve patina should be used.

 

[Birdhunter]

Ordered Evaporust. I’ve seen it used on an YouTube video.

 

[mike_aa]

[member=15289]Birdhunter[/member]  After cleaning you may want to protect the metal with a coat of wax like Johnson's Paste Wax or Renaissance Wax.  There is a Museum Conservation organization here in town and that's what they recommended for metals.

Good Luck, Mike A

 

[Birdhunter]

I have a tin of the R Wax. My brother-in-law said he thinks he has the hand drill that goes with the bits. Hope he can find it.

 

[Bob D.]

I have a tin of the R Wax. My brother-in-law said he thinks he has the hand drill that goes with the bits. Hope he can find it.

By hand drill I'm guessing your are referring to the Brace used to turn these bits.

Irwin still sells a set of auger bits for hand braces.

 

[Birdhunter]

Yes, the brace.

 

[derekcohen]

Birdhunter, clean off the rust - smooth steel is important - and sharpen the cutting edges at the end of the bit. You use a safe edge file for this.

A brace and bit(s) will be incredibly useful! Far from being a vintage and archaic tool, in the right conditions, they will out-drill even my Festool 18/4 PDC.

Braces come in a range of sized (referred to as "swings") - from 5" (useful as a driver and, especially, for countersink bits). A 12" swing will turn large bits (1 to 1 1/2") far more easily than you could drill with a cordless.

Russell Jennings bits ...

Irwin bits ...

Morticing legs ...

Dog holes in a bench top ...

Regards from Perth

Derek

 

[Jim Metzger]

Derek,  Beautiful!

And Birdhunter, You can find hand braces at yard sales and I guess on eBay for not much money.

 

[Birdhunter]

The Evaporust worked pretty well. I rinsed the bits in tap water then dried them. Then soaked them in WD40. Wiped them down. They definitely look well used, but no longer rusty.

 

[sherbert409]

Corradi makes a good auger bit file. They are essential for sharpening the bits. Chris Schwarz has a good how-to on his blog. It’s pretty straightforward and amazing how fast and clean those old auger bits cut with fresh edges.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Birdhunter]

I'll follow up on the sharpening idea.

My brother-in-law found the brace that goes with the bits. He also found a wooden plane. Have not seen either yet.

 

[Bob D.]

https://woodworkingmasterclasses.com/videos/sharpening-auger-bit/