So I decided to make a brush

Hey Guys,

So I decided to start making a brush today. I got as far as I wanted for today and I'll show you what I got.

i started with a $0.87 block of bubinga ( 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 6.5cm) that I picked up from the local exotic wood store.

I took it to the bench sander and sanded down the corners to make an octagonal shape block of wood then I started to sand down the groove for the fingers.

Here are some pics of what I completed today. I'll be reposting to this thread as I finish more parts for the brush. So far it was pretty straight forward. If there's anything complicated that I run into I will take some pictures of what I did but I don't think this is going to be too difficult.

For an 87 cent piece of wood I think this project was definitely easy on the wallet. For all you DIYers and poor students like myself this might be a way to go for custom brush / silvertip (well that's what I'm making).

Enjoy,

- Tam -

Nice, I'd just suggest drilling out your knot hole and test fitting your knot before going any farther (the knots can be irregular). It is difficult to clamp those suckers down anyway in order to take the shot from the forstner bit... they can really torque your brush handle around. Anyway... cool, keep us posted.

Looks fantastic!

Really great no-lathe approach!

Hi Tam, is the big part of the wood going to be the hand-side or the hair-side? I like a substantial brush in my hands (quite happy with the XL EJ BBB I've got) and also the pretty woods that are around.

Wish I'd have the time and tools to do something like this. For a computernerd like myself it's quite rewarding to do something with the hands. :)

Keep us posted!

Doublepost, too fanatic with the clicking. ;)

Damn Tam!!

Looks good.

Way to go - the octagon looks great.

It should be a great brush when it's complete. It is definitely different.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hillie

Hi Tam, is the big part of the wood going to be the hand-side or the hair-side? I like a substantial brush in my hands (quite happy with the XL EJ BBB I've got) and also the pretty woods that are around.

Wish I'd have the time and tools to do something like this. For a computernerd like myself it's quite rewarding to do something with the hands. :)

Keep us posted!

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The thicker side will be the hair side, however the thinner side is still quite substantial. So far up until that point it only took me about 25 mins from the piece of stock wood I started with. As far as tools goes, I have just used a standard bench sander. I wanted to try a brush without using a lathe and so far it feels nice. I'll be taking the finger grove in a bit more with just some hand sanding.

Up next I'm gonna take Del1r1um's advice and drill the knot hole.

Cheers,

- Tam -

that's a cool design. For the money and time invested you're going to get a great return, nice work.

Good looking handle there Andrew! Octahedrons and octagonal prisms are my personal favourite type of polyhedra, closely followed by anything with dodeca in front of it. :p:D

James.

Nice project!

The octagonal shape looks good!

Looks good Tam. Show us a picture when it is done.

bj

Looks nice. I am looking forward to the final product. Great job!

Very nice work. I love the shape and choice of wood.

I like it, I like it!

http://www.yosemitescouting.org/imag...mite%20Sam.bmp

Nice! Can't wait to see the finished product.

agreed with the above. very cool looking. can't wait to see it finished. :rock:

Hey Guys,

Well I managed to drill the hole into the handle but it didn't get perfectly centered so I'll have to do some touching up. which won't be so hard just a little bit of work on the bench sander. I ended up using a 7/8th forstner bit for my 22mm brush knot. The knot fits really nicely into the slot after a small bit of sanding.

So far it's been really great project and it's coming together nicely.

I'm thinking I should have turned this into a wiki article... maybe after the final product is made.

Any of you guys have any idea on what I should use to finish the handle with? I'm thinking polyurethane or epoxy... but epoxy sounds difficult.

Anyhow here's a few more pics,

- Tam -

I know some guys use Danish Oil. At least one person has recommended doing it in a vacuum chamber so the oil replaces the air in the wood. Don't remember who, or I'd credit them with the idea.

Sweet-looking brush Andrew. That is excellent!!

James.

It looks really nice! Did you use a silvertip knot? It seems fairly stiff/dense, or perhaps I should say not floppy.

100% pune Tung oil is nice for repelling water nicely and is non-toxic. I use it on gun stocks and butcher blocks.. Would bring out the grain in that handle you have nicely. I order mine from www.realmilkpaint.com I treat my butcher block counters every couple months with it and they look great..