Comments on: Eggbeater Drills: Beaters and Beyond

By: Joe Gedraitis

Joe Gedraitis — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:38:31 +0000

As my brother always said, "you never have to worry about the batteries running down to finish the job". He always carried one in his toolbox.

By: David A. P.

David A. P. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:37:33 +0000

The link to the German hand drill you mention is dead. I poked around the site a bit, and found it at http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php/cPath/453/products_id/1934. It is, oddly, categorized under "Children." Good thing I have kids, I guess .

By: shadyb

shadyb — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:15:56 +0000

Hmmmm….hand drills….yep, daddy has a drill problem..

Out of the dozen or so that have found their way into my feverish little paws, haven`t had to do much more that a quick teardown, buff everything on a brass wheel, then reassemble. Never worried too much after cause they always work! I always find these things at yard sales or flea markets, mostly in the $2-4 dollar range, and I CANT PASS ONE without picking it up…missus always gives me that look but it doesn`t do any good.

Anybody know of a good therapy group? Preferably one covered by Anthem?

By: Gordon Conrad

Gordon Conrad — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 03:15:48 +0000

I have a Number 2 and a number 5 that I frequently use. I also have a rebuilt 1920 vintage number 2 similar to that pictured and a later 1940 vintage number 2 that just required some disassembly and cleaning. Both of the latter are available by email at geconrad2@att.net if you can’t find one at a reasonable price.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:24:06 +0000

I’ve gotten three drills on ebay and the chucks never work properly. The first two just needed cleaning. There was too much crud in the chuck for the springs to function. I opened up the chuck and clean the inside and reassemble and then they work. For the third one, the chuck springs are twisted and mangled. (All three are present, though.) I haven’t figured out yet what to do about that one.

By: Derek Cohen

Derek Cohen — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:30:17 +0000

I love the MF #5 and 2A eggbeaters. One of these days I will do a "Wiktor" on them, as they deserve it. For drawboring, don’t overlook small braces. An 8" is a nice size here – and you get lots of torgue along with precision and control.

Regards from Perth

Derek

By: Doug

Doug — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:33:24 +0000

I’m currently using a Millers Falls 2A and as you mentioned, it took quite a while to find one not covered in rust with a working chuck. When I got mine, the chuck wasn’t working but it was simply because the springs weren’t put in correctly. I’m betting the chuck was spun off and came apart and someone didn’t want to spend the time to figure out how to put it back together properly. Works great now, but I was wondering, with all the inoperative chucks out there, is it because the springs break or do they just end up missing when the chuck is taken off the frame. And if the springs do have a tendency to break, would it be better to keep the chuck closed (tightened), open most of the way, or off the drill, protecting those springs like they are the last set on the planet? Just curious of others thoughts being this is my first hand drill. I browse by wktools occasionally and check on their spring supply but their webpage always says out of stock, though I’ve never asked them directly. Thanks

By: Ken S

Ken S — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:58:48 +0000

I have been amazed at the quality of the old Millers Falls, Goodell-Pratt, and Yankee hand drills. On several occasions, I have bought drills that were seized with rust but with only a light cleaning and oiling were working as new. Unless the frame is cracked or the shaft bent, it seems any of these drills can be put to use with minimal work. Wiktor’s drills are amazing. Restoration is not a sufficient term to describe what he does. They are beautiful and worth every penny he charges.