BORING TOOLS:
The need to bore a hole in a piece of wood has always been part of woodworking. Bored holes, used with wooden pegs, served to join pieces of wood, whether in a post and beam building or a table top. Smaller bored holes were used to help start a nail or screw, preventing splitting and making the job easier. A bored hole would permit a keyhole saw or a fret saw the necessary room to start a cut for a lock or a decorative design. For the wheelwright, holes were needed to set the spokes, and for the cooper, the spigot. The need for boring tools was basic and the uses endless.
Boring tools are devided into three major catagories: drills, augers and reamers, and braces. Now the function of a boring tool is to make a hole, and it must have this working capability to be graded at least as GOOD. The lack of a bit, will not affect condition since bits are almost always replaceable and were easily separated from the body of the boring tool. Naturally a boring tool has more value if the bit, or a set of bits, are present.
A broken chunk that cannot securely hold a bit will downgrade the tool to below GOOD, as will a broken head or handle that affects teh tool's ability to function properly.
