Thread: How far down?

Hello brush makers.
This will be my first brush build. I have everything ready and eager to get started. My question is there a formula or a set distance that the knot depth is set. I would like to bore it to the proper depth the first time. Your input and advice is welcome.

Loft

There are many numbers out there

You have to bore it deep enough to cover the plug, farther then that adjusts the "feel" or stiffness of the bristles..

Keep in mind the guys that made the knot think that it is at it's optimum setting with just the plug buried, after that it is totally a YMMV situation..

I can't give you a number because I have no idea what knot you are using, You can get an idea by slipping a rubber o ring on from the base end and cinching it up to get a feel for how that adjusts the stiffness of the bristles..

If this is your first brush then it is all a shot in the dark you just have no idea of how the knot will feel after the bloom..


Here is what I did on my very first brush restore, whether right or wrong I could not say, but the brush worked well and looked nice and I still use it very often..

Measured the plug added 1/8 inch / 3.5 mm and drilled to that depth glued it in and it worked fine... since that time I had learned to adjust more to what the brush is going to be used for but that is a whole other thread

The O ring is a great idea. I knew there had to be a better way than guessing the depth. Would you be so kind.to recomend a glue? I was thinking a small amount of fast set epoxy.

You are on the right path I use Epoxy myself I would look for the strongest available, setting time is no issue since the Knot sits in there without shifting anyway IIRC that stuff I get is 3500 lb rating..

I did buy the actual bottles once and that was a mistake for me, I not only mixed up the caps but after that they never sealed right again and I ended up tossing away half the product Now I just get the mix tubes that work just fine with no fuss...

What knot are you using? Chances are someone has already made a brush from the same knot and has some experience with it.

I have a 24 mm x 64 mm finest badger fan from the gold nib. the base plug is about 23 mm so I was going to use my 24 mm forstner bit.

I usually use the forstner bit as the depth gauge, drill down to the depth of the bit is flush with the top of your blank and then go another 1/8". I add the 1/8" to make sure I have enough wood to square that end up when turning.
Not saying it's right or wrong it's just what I do. Loft usually ends up around 52mm-55mm for me. You could always take a scrap piece of wood and drill to different depths to test? I like the O-ring idea better, less work!

Originally Posted by gssixgun

You are on the right path I use Epoxy myself I would look for the strongest available, setting time is no issue since the Knot sits in there without shifting anyway IIRC that stuff I get is 3500 lb rating..

I did buy the actual bottles once and that was a mistake for me, I not only mixed up the caps but after that they never sealed right again and I ended up tossing away half the product Now I just get the mix tubes that work just fine with no fuss...

A helpful hint I saw once is to use the plastic lid from a coffee can (tobacco tin?) for mixing epoxy. The excess can be left to dry in place and then peeled off after it dries. This has worked very well for me. Just my $0.02.

Originally Posted by irish19

A helpful hint I saw once is to use the plastic lid from a coffee can (tobacco tin?) for mixing epoxy. The excess can be left to dry in place and then peeled off after it dries. This has worked very well for me. Just my $0.02.

This a great tip I just happen to produce a Skoal can lid about every 3 days. And to think I could have been mixing in these. Thanks