I'm looking for suggestions on adapters for my drill brace. It has a square shaft, but I want to use modern bits that have a round shaft. Any ideas on what might work?
5 Answers
For a solid option, check out the universal jaw brace by Stanley. It’s designed to grip round, hex, or standard tapered square bits without issues, which could solve your problems nicely!
Hey! If you’re dealing with smaller round shank drill bits, I’d recommend checking out a hex shank drill bit set. They usually fit nicely if your brace jaws are square. You might also want a square taper to hex adapter for a bit more flexibility. Just a heads-up though, in my experience, these adapters can be a bit finicky and might increase leverage on the bit, which can be tricky if you’re drilling at an angle. I’ve had bits snap because of that! So be careful!
I actually have a few adapters for sale, one for smaller bits and another for larger ones. They pair well with a brace for handling deck screws that need tightening after weather shifts. Just a tip, standard twist drill bits usually fit well in braces, but be cautious with smaller bits as they can snap easily if you're not careful. Also, keep an eye out for twist bits with tangs designed for braces—they pop up at second-hand shops for cheap!
Lee Valley has some great adaptors for this setup! I’ve tried one, and it worked really well for my needs. It’s worth a shot!
Yeah, I can vouch for that! Their products are usually pretty reliable.
I shaped an SDS adaptor specifically for my brace, and it worked out great! There are even chucks available with a hex adapter if you need a more straightforward option. Also, I previously posted about suitable drill bits, so if you want to check that out, there are a bunch of helpful comments there.
Totally agree! I’ve had similar issues; sometimes it’s better to stick to eggbeater drills or electric ones for heavier work.