Brass framed "Ultimatum" brace by Atkinson Brothers

[toolsntat]

Six years of research around the world has gone into getting this very rare Atkinson Brothers brass framed brace back to what, from the known examples we have studied, is how we believe it should be.

The frame, chuck and neck are in great condition but the original Ebony head had been replaced with a less that complimentary one.

The rarity factor is the metallic handle of which there is perhaps only 5 known examples and one other by Henry Pasley.

Six years to the month that Sam @theaxeandhedgetoolco posted this up on his Instagram feed and very thankful to him to say we did a deal.

Although these were mentioned and pictured in Reg Eaton's fantastic publication The Ultimate Brace there was no image of the top of the head and I was very keen not to just put any old replacement head on but to try and keep it true to how it should be.

The last picture was the head as found.

Many thanks go to my good friend Tim who made this possible.
Cheers, Andy

 

[AndyT]

Tim is a magician.

 

[Mike G]

Great story, Andy.

To the non-informed, such as me, if I saw this on your table at Carlton Scroop I'd think nothing of it........other than recognising it as a brace. I wouldn't have a clue about its rarity.

 

[AndyP]

How are bits held? I can't see a chuck.

 

[toolsntat]

Tim is a magician.

Yes, especially so when you consider the fact no new threads were cut in this transformation

 

[toolsntat]

Great story, Andy.

To the non-informed, such as me, if I saw this on your table at Carlton Scroop I'd think nothing of it........other than recognising it as a brace. I wouldn't have a clue about its rarity.

Well you may have seen it Mike because it is one of my regular Scroopers
Cheers, Andy

 

[toolsntat]

How are bits held? I can't see a chuck.

There is a spring loaded clip with a barb within the tapered receiver for the bits.
You may have seen the brace bits which have a notch cut into the tapered square section?
There is a captive ring on the chuck nose which when pushed sideways releases the bit.
Lots of other methods were available.
It is not always the case that the notches were filed the same as variations existed between batches and manufacturers.
I shall endeavor to find a patent drawing.
Incidentally there are some very rare chucks which have an ejection mechanism.
Cheers, Andy

 

[Trevanion]

It would be very interesting to see how it was made, it must've been tricky to turn the brass handle with it all looking like it's a single piece of what I assume is a brass casting.

I imagine it would've been hideously expensive when it was new. I wonder if it was a justifiable purchase over a more standard brace when there wouldn't have been much difference in the operation between braces, as the quality of the bits you were using would make the biggest difference to the work. Whereas if you compare a wooden smoothing plane and a dovetailed infill plane, you can somewhat justify the cost difference as the infill plane would be a superior tool for finer woodwork because of the much finer mouth opening, as well as being much more durable.

 

[AndyP]

All new to me as I’ve only ever seen and used tapered square shank screwdriver and drill bits in a hand bace and one of my favourite tools, a shoulder brace which incidentally I’ve not seen for a while

 

[toolsntat]

RIt would be very interesting to see how it was made, it must've been tricky to turn the brass handle with it all looking like it's a single piece of what I assume is a brass casting.

I imagine it would've been hideously expensive when it was new. I wonder if it was a justifiable purchase over a more standard brace when there wouldn't have been much difference in the operation between braces, as the quality of the bits you were using would make the biggest difference to the work. Whereas if you compare a wooden smoothing plane and a dovetailed infill plane, you can somewhat justify the cost difference as the infill plane would be a superior tool for finer woodwork because of the much finer mouth opening, as well as being much more durable.

Yes mate, nearly top of the tree back in the day, there were some rarer examples with more exotic infills.
The two brass halves are cast with a spindle riveted between the two and holding the handle captive.
The cast chuck is often held on by a fixing bolt.
The heads are held on to a spindle by so many different patented methods but generally a combined left and right handed system of locking nuts.
As for use I, believe it or not, haven't yet used one in anger..... but essentially you'd have to say it's a cranked brace and they generally all work the same. One thing I would say is that these are of a decent weight and feel great in the hand somewhat like an infill plane.
Cheers, Andy