Looking for brad awls

[Branson]

I need to find several chisel pointed brad awls.  A couple of English tool makers offer them with the traditional wood handles, but the prices! 

[mikeswrenches]

Have you got a picture of what you would like?

Mike

[HeelSpur]

Got a brad push/starter if it'll help any. Wooden handle & the rest brass.

[mikeswrenches]

What I should have asked, also, is how soon you nerd them?  I'm pretty sure I have at least one, but it is in Florida and I won't be back for a couple months.

Mike

[Branson]

Have you got a picture of what you would like?

Mike

Here's what I'm looking for.  The first picture is a currently made English brad awl.  The second picture shows vintage/used brad awls, and is from:

http://www.fullchisel.com/blog/?p=119

Scroll down to the second picture on the page for a description of brad awls as opposed to scratch awls.

[mikeswrenches]

I know I have the one on the right that has the chuck on the end.  I don't remember if it has the awl in it.  I think I have one of the others also.

These are still used by the builders of the wooden Adirondack guide boats to make the holes for the copper tacks that hold the strakes on the sides.

Mike

[scottg]

Why brad awls?
You could make them from small screwdrivers in about 5 minutes apiece.
I have never needed them though.

  I prefer a birdcage awl. The hollow ground reamer blades literally fall into wood.



One was made from a screwdriver of course, and the other a 1/4" chisel.
Grinding the 4 hollow tapers is kind of a trick (use a small grinder, 5" is ideal)
but its self explanatory once you start.
If you use something of a modern screwdriver they are all made of A2, air hardening steel. (even the Chinese cheapies), so you don't even have to worry about ruining the temper.
    yours Scott

PS use a bottle cork on the tip if you are storing them loose. Saves the tip, and your skin too. 

[rusty]

Aside from wondering how many brad awls are lying in my screwdriver box...

I have to ask....Why do they call it a birdcage awl?

Is there something peculiar about making holes in bird cages?

[Branson]

Why brad awls?

Because that's what the Ordnance Department supplied for the mountain howitzer carriage maker's tool kit.  Three in each of the two chests, along with three gimlets in each as well. 

It certainly isn't that I don't admire those sticky-pokies in the photos -- I gotta make one myself some day.

[scottg]

I have to ask....Why do they call it a birdcage awl?
Is there something peculiar about making holes in bird cages?

  Nothing particular about the holes, there are just a gawdawful passle of them to make. Every 1/2", top and bottom, all the way around the cage. Nothing else could keep up.

  Hollow grinding the sides makes them very sharp reamers. So they will penetrate and bore through thin stock in just a stick and twist movement that is surprisingly quick.
Small to med screws can be set much faster than drilling pilot holes with any kind of drill.
I have hung a lot of molding in my life. Before pneumatic brad guns you needed one of these -very- badly. It was why I made my first one. 
  Start a hole just where you want in one second, and never split the molding. 
     yours Scott
     

 

[Branson]

I have to ask....Why do they call it a birdcage awl?
Is there something peculiar about making holes in bird cages?

There was a time when bird cages were made of wood, with wooden rods run through wooden bars.  Lots of tiny holes to make.