Vintage Stanley 965N Ratcheting Brace with 5/16" Auger Bit – Woodworking Hand Drill

This vintage Stanley No. 965N 10” ratcheting brace has been fully cleaned, lubricated and tested, and comes ready to work with a sharp 5/16” Jennings pattern auger bit. The ratchet runs smoothly in both directions, the chuck grips tightly, and the dark hardwood head and handle spin freely, making this a solid mid-century user brace for real woodworking or characterful shop decor.

Detailed description

Tool

Vintage Stanley No. 965N 10 inch ratcheting brace, mid-20th century, made in USA. This is a quality user-grade hand brace with a 10” sweep, ball-bearing head, and Stanley’s enclosed ratchet chuck, bundled with a matching 5/16” Jennings pattern auger bit for everyday drilling jobs.

Condition

This brace is in clean, working vintage condition. The steel frame retains an even, satin patina with scattered specks and tiny marks from age and use, and both frame stamps – “STANLEY” and “No. 965N – 10 IN.” – are clear and easy to read. The ratchet mechanism engages positively in both directions and in the locked position. The chuck opens and closes fully and grips a square-taper bit securely; the jaws show normal cosmetic wear at the tips from past use but remain fully functional.

The dark hardwood head and side handle appear original, with a warm, oiled finish that shows the grain nicely. They spin freely with no cracks or structural issues, only light surface marks and dings appropriate to an honest working tool.

Included is a 5/16” Jennings pattern auger bit, a great general-purpose size for pilot holes, hardware, and light joinery work. The bit has been cleaned and lightly oiled and is ready for sharpening or use as-is depending on your needs.

Restoration performed

This brace has been carefully refreshed in our shop:

Disassembled for inspection and testing
Loose dirt and grime removed from all surfaces
Active rust mechanically removed while preserving patina and stamped markings
Metal surfaces cleaned and treated with Ballistol, then sealed with a thin coat of paste wax
Ratchet, chuck, and moving parts flushed and lubricated with Hoppes and tested in all positions
Wood head and handle lightly sanded, oiled with Tried & True finish, and top-coated with a beeswax / mineral oil balm for a smooth, dry feel in the hand
Final function test with the included 5/16” Jennings bit

No cracks, breaks, or repairs were found. Cosmetic marks, small dings in the wood, and normal jaw wear are left visible as part of the tool’s history.

Ideal use

Perfect as a working hand brace for woodworking, traditional carpentry, or green-wood projects, and it also displays well as a piece of vintage shop decor. Pair it with a small selection of auger bits and you’ve got a complete drill setup that never needs batteries.

Decade & origin

Era: Mid-20th century, likely 1950s–1960s
Made in: USA (marked “MADE [STANLEY] IN U.S.A.” on chuck)

Care

This tool will ship lightly oiled and waxed. A printed care sheet is included with every tool so you can keep it protected and ready to use.

Bullet highlights

Vintage Stanley No. 965N 10” sweep ratcheting brace
Made in USA, mid-20th century (likely 1950s–60s)
Smooth ratchet with left / right / lock positions, fully tested
Chuck grips square-taper bits tightly; jaws show normal cosmetic wear only
Original dark hardwood head and handle, crack-free and free-spinning
Includes a 5/16” Jennings pattern auger bit – handy everyday size
Cleaned, derusted, lubricated, and protected with oil and wax
Ready to work or display as vintage shop / wall decor
Ships with a printed care sheet for ongoing maintenance