Millers Falls brace

[dubdoc]

I was digging through a box of old tools this morning and came across this Millers Falls brace. Are these things worth anything, or am I better off to just hang it on the wall as wall art?

 

[RTM]

Most are in the $1-7 range, depending on how nice, and finding a motivated buyer. I see buckets sitting unsold at one flea, back when ours was open.

That one looks in reasonable shape.

They make good users.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Besides being a very effective cordless wood drill, they are the best tool for driving large flat head screws like you would use in a wooden boat.

 

[Cleave]

Its a great tool to use, they usually fit modern 1/4" hex bits directly, for driving screws. Also they're very effective with sharp taper shank auger bits. I'm up to 5 braces now.

 

[woody 73]

In case you need any more information.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269013&highlight=millers+falls

 

[bmwrd0]

They are great for reaming out pipe after cutting to length if you have the right bit.

That said they go nice and slow, keeping you from messing something up by using too much speed or torque.

 

[outofbounds]

Miller's Falls, as a brand, certainly possess a niche' collector following. Premium condition examples of their tools do sell, probably at a 20-30% premium over other brands, which vaults the value of that one to about $10-12

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Miller Falls was likely one of the largest producer of braces. They made various lines, from economy to rosewood with ball bearing chucks. The later are worth something, the former not.

 

[Roberts210]

This one is stamped, True Value. I suspect my grandfather bought it when building our barn in 1920. My pop and I used it when we were farming in the 1950's, building troughs, etc. for cows. When I got out of the army in 1969, I found it rotting in the dirt around one of our out buildings, and I replaced the head. I never liked the flat head anyway, so made mine convex. I still use it, but with Jennings bits, which seem to cut much better than regular bits. Here I'm roughing out a mortise for a Baldwin mortise lock. I can cut to a more accurate depth with a brace and sharp bit than with any other kind of drill.

Mortise completed: