Workshop Hints
BROACH HANDLES
The five-sided cutting broach is one of the most commonly used tools in clock and watch making. However, the broaches obtained from tool and material dealers are not normally fitted with handles – instead they have a tang similar to that found on a file. Many users imagine that this tang is intended to be fitted in a pin vice or chuck, but in practice this is usually far from satisfactory. Even less satisfactory are the modern broaches, which have an embryo knurled handle formed from the body of the broach itself.
Traditionally, broaches were always fitted with specially shaped wooden handles, designed to give both purchase for removing large amounts of metal, and also a sensitive feel when taking out a final delicate scraping. Unfortunately, these handles now no longer seem to be available, and it is therefore necessary to make th
ese handles for oneself.
The illustration shows the handles which were available from the Grimshaw & Baxter catalogue of 1931, and the price of 2/- refers to the pre-decimal English currency of the period. (At that time, 2/- would have been equivalent to about 50 cents US.) The handles were always made of straight grained hardwood, and nearly always finished with French polish.
Size varied, but in general the length of the handle was chosen to be slightly longer than the broach itself – this was a great help in keeping the broach square to the work. A broach of about 1/8" across the thickest part would be fitted with a handle of about ¾" diameter at the large end.
Although they were readily available at minimal cost, the making of a set of broach handles was often regarded as a first class exercise for apprentices learning to turn with the graver – after sufficient practice had been obtained in turning the wood, the brass ferrule provided the next part of the exercise.
Modern workers who are unaccustomed to using broaches with properly fitted handles will find that they revolutionise the use of the tool and make it a positive delight to use.
