Hi all, I just acquired a wooden brace in the Sheffield style, unlabeled maker, like an Ultimatum style perhaps, that uses a button mechanism to hold the tapered square shank bits in. It seems to me there is a piece missing in the bit-holding section, a piece that would normally have a tab to catch the notch of the bits, and that the button would release. Right now, there is nothing that would hold the bits in, and I can't find any visual reference of how the mechanics are intended to work. I'm sure I could fabricate a replacement part if I could find an example, but I can't figure out what action is happening, since pushing the button inward is the same direction the notch has to move to release the bit... definitely not a see-saw pivot, more likely an end pivot lever action or something. A screw high up on one side of the brass end is very suspicious to me as to how the missing piece might have been anchored, but I make no assumptions. If anyone possesses a similar button brace and wouldn't mind sharing some info about the internal mechanical action (even better if you could share a picture of the pieces disassembled and what's missing), or know of anywhere on the web where that is documented, I'd be very grateful. I'd really like to make it as true to original as I can.
Thanks!
Matt
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