This style of geared drill was commonly referred to as an egg-beater drill and was first patented in 1838. During the late 19th century these drills became more common due to the development of mass production. Users also began to mount the drill onto a frame. This allowed greater control over the drill and removed the need to be holding it in both hands. This gave the operater greater control over the item to be drilled. The drill could be easily removed when required. This item is an example of a domestic woodworking tool commonly used before the widespread use of power tools. The construction of the basic wooden frame also demonstrates the ingenuity of early pioneers and tradesmen in adapting tools to suit their own needs.A metal hand drill which has been mounted on to an improvised wooden stand. hand tools, mass production, egg beater drills

This hand drill was colloquially called an ‘egg beater drill’ due to its method of operation, and was aesthetically similar in appearance to the ‘breast drill’, with the former having a rounded handle instead of a concave bracing surface. Originally designed for drilling into metal, its gears allowed for higher rotation speeds and finer accuracy. This drill was probably manufactured in the 1960s by German company BECON. Distributed in Australia by Beck & Coram, it was widely used and easily accessible.Hand drill with red wheel, dark red paint remnants on handleBECON D129hand drill, hand tools, wood working tools, churchill island