Toolbox Tuesday - Gimlet

Gimlet

 



A gimlet is a hand tool that was used for drilling small holes (mostly in wood) without splitting. The gimlet can be described as a piece of steel of a semi-cylindrical form that is hollow on one side, it has a cross handle at one end and a screw at the other. A gimlet is always a small tool as a larger form is referred to as an auger as the cutting action between the two devices is slightly different. Pressure is not required when using a gimlet once the tip had been drawn into the wood. When turned the spiral sides function to both pull the cut pieces out of the entry hole as well as pull the gimlet further in the hole.