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Gimlets. Who know and who use these wonderful and inexpensive small tools

3K views 24 replies 15 participants last post by  planesNchisels 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
When I immigrated from France thirty years ago last week, I took with me a number of things.
To this day I do not know why I took what I took.
I took a Bible when I was not a Christian and I did not read it then.
I took a Stanley 55 (made in England) that I bought years before and Ihad never used yet.
I took a set of Aurioul rifler, that I never had used and a hand stitched raps.
And I took a set a gimlets.

Wood Art Sculpture Font Metal


I never saw any mention of gimlets in the USA.
Many tools that we use in the USA , we do not use in France and vice versa.
I do not think that gimlets are well known and/or popular in the USA.
I have two sets: one I took from France with me and another set that I bought from Garret Wade here:
http://www.garrettwade.com/set-of-seven-steel-twist-gimlets/p/37J03.04/

I use mine very frequently.
For example I have made 6 sets of book rest and each one has three small hinges.
I have been using them to make the small holes to start the screws.
They are fantastic small tools and very convenient and easy to use and no battery going empty on you every time you need the tool.
Buy one set, you will not regret it ( I do not work for Garret Wade and I get no commission but I think that I should get one!!)
All gimlets that I ever saw are Made in France (please help the french economy, it really needs your help)

Merry CHRIST-mas to you all
 

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#16 ·
I use gimlet bits often but I use the kind that fit a brace. There are a number of patterns and I can't use those with a lead screw like Bert shows. I need the "Swiss" or "half-twist" pattern to avoid splitting wood and to get the ability to initially steer the bit. The brace, type of holes (upper half of the stock after cutting for showing a wedge mortise being started) I need to make, and bit:

Luggage and bags Bag Bicycle part Automotive exterior Bumper


The important shape of a Swiss pattern gimlet:

Plant Wood Fashion accessory Feather Metal
 

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#19 · (Edited by Moderator)
Gimlets were common when screw bodies were thicker, relative to their overall diameter, than they are now. Clearing out some of the wood fibers, but not so much the threads wouldn't bite, did a lot to prevent splitting.

Most modern "sheet rock" type screws don't interfere so much with the present wood fibers. Plus, we have modern countersink/counterbore bits that do the same thing, albeit with the application of DC voltage. Note that this bit is tapered, much like many of its ancestral gimlets are.

Yes, I have a gimlet, used occasionally at delicate moments working on instruments. Mostly, though, the task is accomplished with a screwgun.

The idea has not disappeared, it has just been electrified.

['gimlet' is uniquely nostalgic for me: it's the name of the first club I played as a 20 year old budding rock star. Be it noted that it was a career that started humbly and went downhill from there.]

Kindly,

Lee

p.s. Thanks for an interesting post, Bert, and the start of the story of your immigration.
 
#20 ·
Thank you all for replying.
This is not a review but an invitation to discover a new type of tool.
I believe that even with electrified counter sinks (that I also use), these simple tools still have a room in our shop.
Electric tools are often too cumbersome.
Also more and more people enjoy using hand tools instead of any kind of power tool.
These are good, inexpensive and traditional and with a Old World flavor.
 
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