Hi All,
Does anyone know what this device is called? I’m told it was used for timber framing to drill the holes for pegs.
Thanks in advance,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Hi All,
Does anyone know what this device is called? I’m told it was used for timber framing to drill the holes for pegs.
Thanks in advance,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Traditional lime wash still has tons of useful applications.
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Replies
Thats correct- it's a beam drill. Also used to take out most of the wood in large mortices- then square off with a chisel.
Thanks a lot. Wasn't sure of the correct name. I'm trying to find any historical info. I can for a friend of mine who owns it. Also trying to get Roy Underhills (Woodwrights Shop - PBS) email address.
Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
If Roy sees that, he might bust a nut. That is right up his alley. Then again, he probably has 5 of them already, each for a different beam size.“The richest genius, like the most fertile soil, when uncultivated, shoots up into the rankest weeds..” – Hume
These are the folks that put Roy on the air:http://www.unctv.org/The show used to be done here, in Chapel Hill. I've met Roy a couple of times, pretty cool doode. "But to be honest some folks here have been pushing the envelope quite a bit with their unnecessary use if swear words. They just put a character in to replace a letter. But everyone knows what they're saying." Sancho
I'm trying to find any historical info
check out Eric Sloane's books on history/tools/wood - he addresses such things well -
the drill you have is a relatively late developement in timber framing - post civil war era - an improvement of simple augers because of the adjustibility -
"there's enough for everyone"
It's a James Swan Beam Drill!
Found it on a WEB Site for antique tools.
Thanks for your help,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
I have one at home - I thought they were called a "post drill".Never have tried it out yet.
Half a truth is often a great lie. [Benjamin Franklin]
I thought they were called a "post drill".
I'm sure there are a number of local names associated with them - probably the only 'official name' would be what appears on the patent application - -
you ever try to use one?
gawd, it's a lot like work -
might be better on green wood (bound to be, I guess)
I think these fancy mechanisms became popular because someone who know what he was doing could set them up, and then turn it over to a grunt -
"there's enough for everyone"
Never have tried one, but I have no doubt it would be a lot of work. But - I don't think it would be any more strenuous than using one of the augers with a wood handle stuck through it. I've always wanted to catch a timber framing demo sometime. But there never has been one anywhere near here that I know of.
If you would be loved, love, and be loveable [Benjamin Franklin]
Hey! you have a tapered bung borer too. Ever use it? Makes good sockets for chair/bench legs ( large ones) I also have a tapered spoon for windsor sized work.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The secret to a long life is knowing when its time to go. M. Shocked
actually, we used to use the bung borer for just what it was designed to do - back when we handled cider in barrels -
"there's enough for everyone"