Thread: Making custom brushes pt 2. (MANY PIX)

Originally Posted by jockeys

LESSONS LEARNED:

4) drilling non square, non flat, unclampable things is very tricky. need to think of a solution for this before the next batch.

Those handles look great! Good job! The pics just reminded me how much fun I used to have in the Design & Technology classes at school, we had a forge and everything..! Wish I'd been into straight shaving then so I could have made use of the tools to make my own kit.. Oh well, guess I`ll have to buy my own now..! I made an oversize baseball bat out of solid mahogany on the lathe at school, I could hit a ball about 17 miles with that...!

I have a possible solution to your problem! Mark up the end of the wood as you do to centre the lathe bits, but instead of mounting the wood on the lathe first drill the hole for the knot using the centering marks you drew as a guide for where to put the drill bit. You'll then have the dip right in the centre of the drilled hole (from the little guide spike "pre-drill" on the drill bit) as a reference point to centre the lathe bit. Its a little hard to explain without pics but hopefully I explained it ok?

The only small snag is that you would need to turn each handle separately. You'd also need to be very careful not to break any of the wood off around the drilled hole, as it will get pretty thin by the end.

Are you planning on selling any of your brushes when they are done?

Originally Posted by Stubear

I have a possible solution to your problem! Mark up the end of the wood as you do to centre the lathe bits, but instead of mounting the wood on the lathe first drill the hole for the knot using the centering marks you drew as a guide for where to put the drill bit. You'll then have the dip right in the centre of the drilled hole (from the little guide spike "pre-drill" on the drill bit) as a reference point to centre the lathe bit. Its a little hard to explain without pics but hopefully I explained it ok?

The only small snag is that you would need to turn each handle separately. You'd also need to be very careful not to break any of the wood off around the drilled hole, as it will get pretty thin by the end.

Are you planning on selling any of your brushes when they are done?

that's an interesting idea, thanks! i already gave all the brushes i made away except for one for me, i may or may not make more in the future

Originally Posted by jockeys

that's an interesting idea, thanks! i already gave all the brushes i made away except for one for me, i may or may not make more in the future

I'd definately be interested in one. It's unfortunate you've no plans for future. Excellent work though bro! :Beer: