Monday, June 2, 2008

One more tool


Sometimes the old stuff is better. I have found that an old bit brace is extremely handy for removing flathead screws. I have replaced the typical auger for drilling holes with a flathead screw bit. You can fashion one of those from an old screwdriver. Simply cut if off the handle and flatten a few sides of so that it won’t turn in the brace.

With this device, you can really bear down on a flathead screw. With applying your weight directly on top of the screw and the extra leverage you get from the handle, you can loosen just about any screw. If the brace is a ratcheted type, that is even better.
One of the more useful times for the bit brace was removing the screws from the cabin sole panels. Several of the screws were under the settee overhang which would have been impossible with a regular screwdriver. With the bit brace, I was able to put the brace on the screw and the handle part extended around the edge of the settee. With the ratcheted feature, it was no problem to take out the screws.
So if you see one of these gems at a yard sale, buy it.

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