Wood auger

This article is about the wood drilling tool. For post hole digger, seeEarth auger.For the drill bit, seeAuger bit.

Painting byGeorges de La TourofSt. Josephoperating an auger.

Anaugeris a device to drill wood or other materials, consisting of a rotating metal shaft with a blade at the end that scrapes or cuts the wood.

Types

Study of a man using an auger, fromThe Seven Sorrows of the Virgin,byAlbrecht Dürer,c. 1496.

The classical design has ahelicalscrew bladewinding around the bottom end of the shaft. The lower edge of the blade is sharpened and scrapes the wood; the rest of the blade lifts the chips out of the way. It is powered with two hands, by a T-shaped handle attached to the top of the shaft.

More modern versions have elaboratedauger bitswith multiple blades in various positions.Modern versions also have different means to drive the shaft, resulting in various tools such asbraces,wheel drills(the"eggbeater" drill), andpower drills.

See also

• Augerino
• Gimlet

External links

• "Brief history of the auger".Wonkeedonkeetools.