Thread: My New "Custom" brushes

Well guys, I'm not one to post here very often but I am a regular "lurker" and really appreciate all of the information available here at SRP. I was able to meet some of you at the last North Texas Gathering and after being inspired by Jockeys fine work on brushes I would like to share some of my work. Let me preface this with the disclaimer that up until about 6 weeks ago I had not touched a lathe in over 25 years. Found a 1949 Powr-Kraft lathe (sold by Montgomery Wards) powered by a "Craftsman" motor, oddly enough, on Craigslist for $75 and could not resist.

Additionally, I would not recommend Mesquite wood for anyone starting out turning or trying to pick it up again after so many years. The piece I had was like concrete and seemed to want to keep chipping with the grain.

Please pardon the poor quality of the pictures if I can even get them to show at all. They are not coming up in the "Preview Post" mode at all.

Both of these brushes are Mesquite with multiple coat of gloss Poly.

"Brush 1" was my first effort and I was really pleased with the simplicity and clean lines. Did have some minor chipping in the ridges that I added for grip, but could not make myself trash it after I had gotten it to that point. 20mm Silvertip knot

On Brush 2 - about halfway into the work I hit a void / check in the wood. Again, instead of trashing, I filled the void with multiple layers of shavings and CA. Was fairly pleased with the result. 24 mm Silvertip knot


I just started working last night on a piece of Cocobolo and I don't have anything finished yet, but some of the grain in the two handles I am working on is simply incredible. Ken, btw, the cocobolo is much easier to turn than the mesquite! :-)

Comments / Critique / Suggestions are always welcome.


Tony

Great stuff, Tony! keep 'em coming.

Jordan

looks great, brother, let us know how the cocobolo handle turns out!

Thank you both!

Jockeys - I will definitely get pictures up of the cocobolo when done. Two handles are ready for final sanding and then finishing. The way the grain is there are some nice "bullseye" effects. Don't know if that is the correct term, but it's the best I could come up with until I get them done.

Tony

Still need more sanding and finish.

Very nice looking! Making me wish I had a lathe...

Those look pretty good. They remind me of an "Ace of Spades" shape. I think they will be comfortable during use.

ooh, pretty!

any trouble working the cocobolla? I have heard you need a respirator to work it.

Doc,

Wore a dust mask and had no problems.......................................... of course, it WAS less than 24 hours ago!


Chris,

I know this is going to sound "hokey", but I have not tried for any traditional design in any of these. Especially with the mesquite, the wood just sort of took its own shape. With the cocobolo. so far, I just had a basic idea of length and circumference and then the grain really dictated the final shape. Many starts and stops of the lathe to check the grain revealed as I went along.

Tony