Sharpening and restoring vintage auger bits | Part 1

Spiral auger bits are one of the great achievements of the hand tool era. It's not uncommon to find sets of rusty vintage auger bits that are in poor shape. The majority of vintage auger bits I find have been filed improperly. Many of these bits were passed down for multiple generations and I think the art of filing auger bits was largely lost in later generations as electric tools took over in the middle of the last century. Luckily, with a few tricks it's possible to bring almost any auger bit back to perfect working condition and preserve them for future generations. In this two-part video, I'll sharpen and restore vintage bits from Irwin, Russell Jennings, and Millers Falls.
My goal in tool restoration is to make the tool clean and functional while preserving all of the unique signs of its age and history.

Пікірлер: 98

  • @michaelking2910
    @michaelking2910Ай бұрын

    I’m the middle of restoring a vintage set of augers from the states and this video has covered every issue I’m having thank you!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    28 күн бұрын

    Glad it helped !

  • @bryanmcwhirter9945
    @bryanmcwhirter99452 жыл бұрын

    I actually have a number of auger bits and braces and have files but have not needed a thread restorer as of yet but will be getting one wirh all the old tools I've collected over the years. This was a delight to somebody taking care of these great old tools! Thankyou!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Bryan, thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it! Many more old tools on the way.

  • @keithjumbuckforge725
    @keithjumbuckforge7252 жыл бұрын

    Great video, got hours of fun ahead of me cleaning up my old auger bits now. Great detail provided

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it!

  • @texanthom
    @texanthom2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this video! It is the most informative and easy to follow video I've ever seen!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thom, thank you, I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! I had a lot of fun making it.

  • @texanthom

    @texanthom

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again! My file came in today and I'm looking forward to getting all my auger bits sharp and working!

  • @tonyvanraat7674
    @tonyvanraat7674 Жыл бұрын

    Brilliantly clear and to the point. Very useful, thank you!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tony, glad you found it useful!

  • @robwoodke6592
    @robwoodke65924 ай бұрын

    I never thought of using a thread file on the lead screw. You’re brilliant 😊

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    4 ай бұрын

    Thanks @robwoodke6592 !

  • @StrPtrn
    @StrPtrn2 жыл бұрын

    Great video. I doubt I will ever restore auger bits like these, but appreciate your knowledge and the sharing of it in a very well structured way! Subscribed!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching and welcome to the channel!

  • @abdossett
    @abdossett7 ай бұрын

    I've really enjoyed your restoration videos. You're respect for the integrity of the tools really comes through and now I've got some project ideas for holiday break. Best wishes.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    7 ай бұрын

    Thank you very much @abdossett , glad you're enjoying the channel. Good luck with your projects!

  • @mr.bigote3129
    @mr.bigote31292 жыл бұрын

    Very informative..hope to see more of your restoration projects....

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! More on the way

  • @tungsten_carbide
    @tungsten_carbide2 жыл бұрын

    Finally got around to watching your part 1 and 2 on this and well worth it! Definitely 👍on both. I thought I had a good grasp of what was needed in sharpening old augers but occasionally I've run across problem ones where I thought the lead screw was too worn, but I see now that I'm going to have to revisit them. Based on what you've shown I think a couple are salvageable, but one for sure the business end is too far gone. Thankfully I got that one in a job lot of tools (my best yet) so it was sort of free 🙂

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Tungsten! Good luck with your restorations!

  • @larsfrandsen2501
    @larsfrandsen25019 ай бұрын

    Best of its kind! Thanks. Great video!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks @larsfrandsen2501 !

  • @robohippy
    @robohippy10 ай бұрын

    Simple and no fluff, just good stuff! I will get some eventually....

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    9 ай бұрын

    Thanks @robohippy ! Good luck!

  • @kodyzhager1456
    @kodyzhager14562 ай бұрын

    Really informative and helpful thank you

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @clappercl
    @clappercl2 жыл бұрын

    Great videos!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @joeteejoetee
    @joeteejoetee6 ай бұрын

    Awesome sharpening video!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    6 ай бұрын

    Thanks @joeteejoetee !

  • @donloughrey1615
    @donloughrey16152 жыл бұрын

    This is just too weird. Last night after restoring my Stanley #3 Sweetheart plane, I looked at my auger bits and thought it's time to restore them and right before I turned the lights out, I set them out on the bench to remind me. This morning the first video recommended was this one. I did not say anything, my phone was not with me. I guess I'll have to believe in Karma. Thanks Handtoolworks for this timely video.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    oh wow, that's quite a coincidence. glad karma brought you to the channel. that sounds like a great hand plane btw.

  • @donloughrey1615

    @donloughrey1615

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks I think it might be my new favorite. There isn't much of the tool steel left on the Iron, I can see the forge weld maybe less than 1/8 inch but at 70yrs old I probably wont sharpen it enough to lose what's left. I think of the guy that wore this almost down to the nubs. I love bringing this old stuff back to life.

  • @shannonelliott6116
    @shannonelliott61162 жыл бұрын

    Making these sharp and usable is the same satisfaction I get from making a plane iron shave the hair on my arms...it's weird but enjoyable...nice video!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Shannon! I feel the same way :)

  • @KaRRoTT78
    @KaRRoTT782 жыл бұрын

    Great video, thanks!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it!

  • @superpuppy7854
    @superpuppy78542 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. I have a rusty brace and some bits that need restoration. I'll keep a link to this for when I get time to do it. Thanks for posting

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks and good luck!

  • @davestinyworkshop
    @davestinyworkshop8 ай бұрын

    This is great thanks, I have a decent collection of auger bits I inherited from Dad, I'm keen to restore them all, the ones that are still usable are brilliant to use

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    8 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Good luck restoring!

  • @davestinyworkshop

    @davestinyworkshop

    8 ай бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks thank you!

  • @philipchandler330
    @philipchandler330 Жыл бұрын

    Perfect tutorial

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching!

  • @stringlarson1247
    @stringlarson124711 ай бұрын

    Removing rust from tool steel with a wheel is one of the most satisfying things to do to relax in the shop.

  • @carlogle6207
    @carlogle6207 Жыл бұрын

    I've never seen a thread file. Nice.

  • @carlos-xc3sl
    @carlos-xc3sl2 жыл бұрын

    Gracias amigo por este vídeo, tengo que restaurar un taladro antiguo espiral que era de mi abuelito Laureano y no tenía idea como arreglarlo, así que este vídeo me va a servir para restaurarlo; saludos desde Chile.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    de nada, suerte en tu proyecto!

  • @un7ucky
    @un7ucky Жыл бұрын

    i have ended up with a bunch of these over hte years from random garage sales and just stumbled across a handdrill to use with them. of course they are all very dull, thanks for hte video

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    Good luck!

  • @GT_Racer347
    @GT_Racer3472 жыл бұрын

    Nice!

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Cheers!

  • @markiobook8639
    @markiobook86397 ай бұрын

    very cool. I have a tonne of these and cannot bring myself to scrap them.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    7 ай бұрын

    Thanks @markiobook8639, Good luck !

  • @einufo
    @einufo2 жыл бұрын

    Subscribed ! Thanks for this perfekt restoration video. Gruß Tino

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks and welcome to the channel!

  • @kingofcastlechaos
    @kingofcastlechaos2 жыл бұрын

    I've decided the next time I clean up all my bits, I am going to use gun blue on them. I have done a few steel items that way and really like how they look and wear.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good luck!

  • @LitoGeorge

    @LitoGeorge

    Жыл бұрын

    I rust blued mine. Turned out just fine!

  • @deemdoubleu
    @deemdoubleu11 ай бұрын

    Awesome

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    10 ай бұрын

    Thanks @deemdoubleu !

  • @brucebonkowski2139
    @brucebonkowski21392 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your help on the cutting edge do we remove all bits ? On the spur if there rough what did you do ??

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    hi Bruce, if there are small nicks in the cutting edge or spurs, I would just get the rest of the edge sharp and not worry too much about the nicks. The nicks will be removed over time as the bit is used and sharpened repeatedly.

  • @mcnile7720
    @mcnile7720 Жыл бұрын

    Hi I loved the video - beautifully done. So heartwarming to come across someone that takes the time to restore these incredible but simple pieces of engineering. I had not come across the thread restorer file solution for blunt lead screws/snails before. Brilliant. I've had a look on-line and they come in different standards (BSF, Whitworth etc) and I presume there is a difference in thread angle? I'm very familiar with the concept of threads per inch, but I was thinking, the right TPI with the wrong thread angle maybe won't do quite as good a job. Do you have any idea which "standard" best applies to old auger bit threads, or are they all different? Or am I overthinking this?! Kind regards and please carry on with the excellent work

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    Old auger bit threads typically have a 60 degree thread angle and match the UTS/SAE standard fairly well. The vast majority of my auger bits look like they would clean up fine with a standard SAE thread restoring file if needed. Wood is pretty forgiving and the tolerances here are probably not that important (compared to screw threads used in machines and the like). I usually do the bare minimum amount of filing, just enough to get the auger bit to pull into the wood, rather than trying to make the threads look perfect. Glad you're enjoying the channel!

  • @mcnile7720

    @mcnile7720

    Жыл бұрын

    Hiya Thanks for getting back to me so quickly - good information I'll get hold of the right file (as far as I can work out, the Whitworth files have a 55 degree thread angle, so I'm glad I asked) and give it a go

  • @soledude
    @soledude Жыл бұрын

    👌👌👌

  • @gregr1672
    @gregr16728 ай бұрын

    On the first bit you sharpened ,it has 2 flat cutting edges.,one on each side. And two Spurs? Do the spurs also cut or do they act like rakers on a chain saw chain? I have had many of the old bits like this ,I am going to attempt to sharpen now!.I also have a few expensive long auger bits I used for wiring homes.They are beat up from use ,they were Green Line Nail Eater Bits! I believe they only had one cutting edge and one spur though!.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    8 ай бұрын

    Hi @gregr1672, Yes it has 2 spurs. The spurs sever the wood fibers around the perimeter of the hole ahead of the cutting edges, making it easier for the cutting edges to lift out a wood shaving and giving a clean entry hole and relatively smooth inner bore. Good luck!

  • @valterbrum2280
    @valterbrum228011 ай бұрын

    What's the name of the tool that you used to make the screw tread ? Can't find anywhere, keep up the good work 👍

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    11 ай бұрын

    hi valter, it's called a thread restoring file. thanks for watching!

  • @cateward7043
    @cateward7043 Жыл бұрын

    How do I store them without worry of rust? I have seen oil paper and wax paper. What do you recommend?

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    I wipe them down with 3-in-1 oil and/or paste wax after every few uses and always keep them free of saw dust during storage (this really goes for all my tools). Storage in a dry space, inside a drawer or in one of the vintage wooden boxes or canvas rolls they were originally sold in is perfect. Maintaining the dark patina (underneath the loose orange/brown surface rust) during restoration is also important because it protects the steel from further rusting.

  • @LitoGeorge
    @LitoGeorge Жыл бұрын

    I used this video to sharpen my auger bits successfully. What a difference. Nice clean hole. I put a thick backer on the exit side to mitigate tear out. With two clamps. However, each time I did a hole, it still tore out. Hard wood. Why? Please help.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    The tiniest gap between the work piece and the backer can allow tearout. I would make sure the two mating surfaces are perfectly flat using a hand plane or by sanding on a flat surface. The lead screw can also exert a lot of pressure on the backer, causing a tiny gap to open even with clamping; I would try getting the clamps as close to the hole as you can and add extra clamps if needed. Of course instead of using a backer you can always stop boring when the lead screw starts to poke out of the back then turn the piece around and drill from the other side to get a clean exit hole.

  • @LitoGeorge

    @LitoGeorge

    Жыл бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks that makes sense. Frustrating that it's so finicky. But there you have it, two solutions. Thank you very much! Btw, I found your videos on sharpening truly excellent. Revelational in fact. Thank you

  • @LitoGeorge

    @LitoGeorge

    Жыл бұрын

    ​@@thehandtoolworks Hi. I have another piece of advice I'd like to ask. I am using a semi sharpened (not my best work admittedly) 3/8 bit to drill a hole whose centre is 3/4 inch away from the end of my stock. I am using round stock thats fairly wet to drill into. A project I am into. Each time I drill with the brace, the wood cracks horizontally when the bit reaches between 1/2-3/4 of the way through the hole. I am not using undue pressure, and I am going very slowly. The wood types are all different, including maple. Any advice here? I'll admit to being disappointed and a little bit frustrated. Help? Thank you.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    11 ай бұрын

    Hi @LitoGeorge, Sorry just saw this now. The lead screw always exerts some outward pressure as you drill and can cause the wood to split along the grain if the hole is close to the end of the work piece. Auger bits with nice long nickers/spurs mitigate this because they score the wood more deeply around the perimeter of the hole as you drill. It's a good idea to clamp the end of the work piece so that it can't split when drilling close to the end. Another solution is to pre-drill a pilot hole using something like a 1/8 in drill bit or smaller, then drill the full sized hole with the auger bit (the lead screw will still be able to pull into the wood as long as the diameter of the pilot hole isn't too large).

  • @LitoGeorge

    @LitoGeorge

    11 ай бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks thanks for your answer. I will try the pilot hole today, as I ran into the problem again just two days ago. Seems to happen in both soft and hardwoods. I'll also try the clamp, though that might prove difficult in some of the pieces I am working with. I'll provide feedback. Cheers.

  • @brissance
    @brissance Жыл бұрын

    What to use in place of these , difficult to get these.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    for a brace or for an electric drill?

  • @germansahidbeltranardila2985
    @germansahidbeltranardila2985 Жыл бұрын

    Huuuuuyyyyyyyyyyyyiiii q bien si hay de esas tipo más grandes de pulgada y media o dos pulgadas

  • @mizikacibalik
    @mizikacibalik2 жыл бұрын

    My auger does not have the scoring part Tho it kinda has it but its towards the inside of the auger not sticking outside and even tho its sharp it just crushes all the fibers and leaves so rugged of a cut As far as i learned from your video is that the transition from snail to the cutters are not optimal other than that i really dont understand

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    It sounds like you might have a Scotch pattern auger bit. Those are usually for rougher work (eg landscaping timbers, construction) where the appearance of the hole isn't a big deal.

  • @mizikacibalik

    @mizikacibalik

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks Now that I looked at scotch patterned augers, it looks like it. I am from Turkey so, it's unlikely the piece I have is actually made after scotch pattern but nvm. I just found it's so hard for me to turn it; even it's enough to cut me levels of sharp(2k sandpaper + stropped finish), in a soft wood like pine. Maybe my auger is small for the job, or I didn't do a good job of sharpening it right. Do you have a suggestion for troubleshooting why it might give me a struggle like mentioned above? Btw, thank you sir.

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@mizikacibalik what is the diameter of the auger bit?

  • @mizikacibalik

    @mizikacibalik

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks I believe it's between 12-14 mm but didn't measured it

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    2 жыл бұрын

    Does if feel like the auger is binding in the hole, ie the first few cm are fine but then it becomes very hard to turn? this could happen if someone previously tried to sharpen by filing the outside of the spurs instead of the inside. you could measure the diameter near the top with calipers and see if it gets wider a few cm down. Also, with a Scotch pattern, the corner where the spur meets the cutting edge has to be sharp or else it will crush the wood fibers instead of slicing - this is harder to sharpen correctly than a Jennings or Irwin pattern bit. To troubleshoot a bit, it usually helps to start drilling a hole very slowly and pay careful attention to how the lead screw, cutting edges, and spurs engage with the wood as they start to bite in. It can also help if you have another bit of the same type that works so that you can compare them visually and look for any differences in how they engage with the wood.

  • @Kez_DXX
    @Kez_DXX Жыл бұрын

    Is there any point to attempting a restoration if there is no spur?

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    Жыл бұрын

    Augers lacking a spur can actually be useful for drilling into tough end grain

  • @Kez_DXX

    @Kez_DXX

    Жыл бұрын

    @@thehandtoolworks So it's not the worst thing to have atound?

  • @rp6879
    @rp68796 ай бұрын

    How do you really know it's 30°?

  • @thehandtoolworks

    @thehandtoolworks

    6 ай бұрын

    hi @rp6879, I go by muscle memory but one could use a bevel gauge to check the angle. In general it's ok just to get the bevel angle in the right ballpark and usually you can follow the existing bevel.

  • @1misticointolerante
    @1misticointolerante2 жыл бұрын

    Thooth brush....are oxide......

  • @allanthomson5670
    @allanthomson56702 жыл бұрын

    It would be a lot easier to understand what you are doing if you actually spoke in stead of having to read.

  • @LitoGeorge

    @LitoGeorge

    Жыл бұрын

    reading is hawrd. Poor guy.