CUTTING TOOLS 27 
by drawing the cutting edge across the end of a block 
of wood. When the chisel is nicked or very dull it 
must be ground on the grindstone. 
16. Braceand Bit. The old-fashioned augers and gim- 
lets have given way to the modern brace and bit. 
Fic. 36. The Center Bit 
The brace, which is sometimes called the bitstock, 
allows both hands to be used continuously, which was 
not true of the old-fashioned auger. Several varieties 
of the brace are in use, the ones shown in the cuts 
being common. 
Bits are designed for a variety of purposes, the name 
being applied to a tool which is to be turned by the 
Fic. 37. The Auger Bit 
brace. The old-fashioned center bit shown in the cut 
possessed most of the essentials of a good boring tool. 
The sharp spur in the center allowed the hole to be 
accurately placed. The lip on the outer edge cut the 
fibers in a circle before the chisel edge began to remove 
