Making a clamping T-handle for vintage auger bits | Hand tool woodworking

In the hand tool era, augers and gimlets frequently came with permanently attached T-handles for use mainly in carpentry and green woodwork. A few companies made special handles that could accept brace bits interchangeably (such as the Millers Falls No. 2 and No. 3 auger handles), but these are quite rare nowadays. I thought it would be fun to make a compact clamping handle out of oak to use with gimlet bits and smaller size auger bits. This design was inspired from some 19th-century patents. It's working solidly and I think I'll make another version for large diameter augers in the near future.
0:05 Making the handle body
3:56 Making a dowel for the jaws
5:12 Preparing the copper end caps
7:35 Attaching the caps
10:03 Installing the fixed jaw
10:55 Preparing the floating jaw
12:47 Installing the floating jaw
14:01 Tapering the handle
17:16 Test drilling in oak

[@johnbren1351]

I mainly started watching to see why it would take 19 minutes to make a fancy bottle opener and ended up on a journey into the heart of traditional wood working. Greatest respect.

[@thehandtoolworks]

Lol, thanks for tuning in and coming along for the journey :)

[@gunnyoorah1846]

nOw ... We All are busy following your teaching. OORAH!!

[@RoyalGentoo]

I don't know what to say... Thanks for that video. I have nothing but respect for your skills. Practical and a work of beauty at the same time.

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thank you very much @RoyalGentoo! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craigtanner6916]

Beautiful job! There is no better sounds than those that come from a hand tool only project or workshop. Incredibly relaxing. Thanks for sharing! Can’t wait for your next project.

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks Craig, Glad you enjoyed it!

[@asmith7876]

It's like KZbin can read my mind. I was considering going as far as Frankensteining an old brace and having someone weld an eye to it but it seems wrong butcher a functioning tool. This is perfect. Thanks!

[@thehandtoolworks]

@asmith7876 Glad you found the video, Good luck!

[@LitoGeorge]

This was extraordinary. I've been looking at various ways of making one of these on Pinterest. Watched your auger sharpening videos and KZbin recommended this. Well worth every minute. Thank you!

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@Kleiner_Lutz]

That's a pretty nice tool and actually not at all what I expected it to be, I really like the clever clamping mechanism Edit: welcome back, I really like your work and was a bit worried you stopped making videos

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks Tony, Glad you liked it! I

[@philipchandler330]

Exceptional craftmanship

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thank you Philip!

[@Slotcardad46]

Wonderful work! Very nice. Down the rabbit hole I go! 🫠

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks and welcome!

[@MrStanwillis]

Fantastic, thank you for the lovely work.😊

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks Stan, glad you liked it!

[@user-xd5nr8jc3s]

Very useful video. Thank you very much!

[@liveoak4124]

Thank you

[@thehandtoolworks]

You bet!

[@davestinyworkshop]

Brilliant, thanks for sharing

[@einufo]

Is it craft or art? Just beautiful! Greetings from Germany Tino PS: What do you think about a roomtour of your workshop?

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks Tino! Great idea. There will be a lot to go through, most of the collection hasn't been on camera yet!

[@setdown2]

Yes yes a tour...🖖

[@soledude]

👌👌👌

[@Grumpyneanderthal]

You took me back 150 years to when men crafted their own tools. Quite enjoyable….

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks! it was a lot of fun to make

[@AliAli-zv5ot]

👍👍💪

[@johnruckman2320]

That wood auger with the square taper on the shaft, what's the proper name/term for it? I've been trying to find a few of them but I keep getting the round shaft ones on my browser query's. I need 3 or 4 sizes for camp craft and bush craft projects to practice on.

[@thehandtoolworks]

Hi John, they were just called auger bits back in the day. You could try "hand brace auger bits". I think very few companies still make square shank bits. Your best bet might be to search for something like Irwin or Craftsman auger bits on ebay and look for a vintage set.

[@kimnielsenthewordyvikingett159]

Beautiful work sweetheart!! And that's an ancient 7/8" Irwin bit huh??? But I'm thinking 🤔 you should have made the T longer especially if driving larger than 7/8" gosh no harm intended but wouldn't you want just a bit more leverage than that??? And yes I know they're sharp but still!!!

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks Kim! Yes, I mentioned in the description that I'll make a longer one for larger diameter auger bits. This smaller handle was designed for gimlets and smaller auger bits. The Irwin is from a beautiful set made around 1913.

[@kimnielsenthewordyvikingett159]

@@thehandtoolworks good gosh WOW 1913 that's definitely awhile ago!!!😳 And probably built better than the s**t they make nowadays!!!🙂 Did you get the chance to view my video titled (Detachable Auger settlers wrench completed)??? I'm not sure if you're familiar with a settlers wrench but most are just an eye pipe welded to the top of an auger usually 1" diameter and the I.D. of the eye normally the same!!! Also you might like the videos of for instance my 2" ×17" wood auger and the tools I use to drive it!!!🥰🤠🥰 please keep on cranking out more videos because it's so refreshing to see and watch someone with intelligence for a change!!!🥰🤠🥰🙂

[@thehandtoolworks]

Kim, nice work! It would be interesting to see a video on your building project.

[@airmobiledivision7759]

I recently came into some very old saws which still have most of the etching intact. How would you recommend removing the rust without damaging the etching? I was considering fine steel wool. I have seen others use sandpaper.

[@thehandtoolworks]

I would start with #0000 steel wool and see how it looks; move up to scotchbrite or 400 grit sandpaper if you need something slightly more aggressive. with saw blades and handles, less is more.

[@airmobiledivision7759]

@@thehandtoolworks I appreciate your insight. Thanks, and take care.

[@CleaveMountaineering]

Great boring video!

[@thehandtoolworks]

Thanks @CleaveMountaineering, Brace yourself!