breast drill

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Breast drill

Like a hand drill except heavier and with a plate at the top that could be pressed against to increase pressure on the bit.

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Noun

breast drill - a portable drill with a plate that is pressed against the chest to force the drill point into the work

drill - a tool with a sharp point and cutting edges for making holes in hard materials (usually rotating rapidly or by repeated blows)

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The post and beam frame required no nails, but was fastened together with elegant mortise and tenon joints locked into place with stout wooden pegs called trunnels or "treenails." The beams were shaped by hand with broad axes, adzes, and chisels; cut with hand saws of various types, and drilled with breast drills, braces, bits, and augers.