Thread: A dowel rod, a drill press and a file...

For some reason I felt like making a brush handle. Since I lack some of the fancier tools to turn a really nice block of exotic wood into a shapely handle, I set out to make one out of pedestrian materials with minimal tools.

I started with a 1.5" diameter section of "Market Select Hardwood" dowel rod. Four feet of the stuff is about $3. I'm not sure what wood it is, but it mostly doesn't matter for the purpose of the project. I cut it to 2.5 inches. The end product is a bit shorter, but it was a handle height I could live with.

I went about finding the "dead center" and drilled a pilot hole with the drill press to insure it was perfectly straight. I screwed a long deck screw into the pilot hole about 3/4" into the piece of wood. Then I cut the head of the screw off with a hacksaw. Then I put the screw and wood into the drill press and tightened it so that the very top of the wood was touching the chuck.

I used only a file and some sandpaper to make the shape and then drilled the hole for the knot. A couple of coats of Tung oil and that's about it. The knot is a TGN 20mm finest fan shape.

I was going to take pictures along the way, but I just plum forgot to. Anyway, here's the finished product pre and post bloom.

Very nice work from a drill press!

I think it's a winner, good job. I like that shape, how do you like your finished brush in hand and when lathering?

I like the shape and feel. I tried a couple of different weights and styles out before I decided on this one. It's far from perfect, but nice considering the cost and ease of construction.

This looks like fun, I'm definately going to have to try this. Forgive my ignorance, but how do you fasten the knot to the handle. Is it glued or just wedged in there?

Nicely done. Very elegant look.

Man, that's creative!
And it looks really nice to.
Thanks for the inspiration, I've gotta try that some time

TThese are all made on a drill press to, guess im not the only back yard macanique.

Good job. Thats how I like to do things. Give it a good eyeball and start hacking away.
dannyr

What is the purpose of the screw in the handle?