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gimlet
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Illustration showing labeled basic carpentry hand tools, including backsaw, handsaw, try square, miter box, claw hammer, screwdriver, brace and bits, metal smoothing plane, level, rasps, chisels, punches, pliers, gimlet, awl, and tape measure.
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gimlet

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Illustration showing labeled basic carpentry hand tools, including backsaw, handsaw, try square, miter box, claw hammer, screwdriver, brace and bits, metal smoothing plane, level, rasps, chisels, punches, pliers, gimlet, awl, and tape measure.
hand tools Basic hand tools used in carpentry.

A gimlet is a small tool used for boring holes, typically in wood. It features a screw point, a grooved shank, and a cross handle for grip and leverage. A variation, the gimlet bit, is specifically designed with a spiral flute and a sharp, threaded point to create small holes. The word "gimlet" has been in use since the 14th century, originating from Middle English and French terms related to a wimble, another type of boring tool. The verb form of gimlet means to pierce something as if using this tool.123

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