Weston's ratchet brace

Weston's ratchet brace, marketed by Nettlefolds of Birmingham, 1888

This traditionally-designed engineer's ratchet brace was improved by Nettlefolds of Birmingham, who marketed it. they described in an advertisement how 'These Braces, which have been several years before the public, and are much appreciated by them, Nettlefolds have lately considerably improved by enclosing the screw in a sleeve which always protects it from injury either from dirt or blows. This sleeve also acts as a guide for the nut, thus keeping it steady throughout the whole of its traverse, and consequently enabling the drilling to be effected with perfect accuracy'.