Thread: Been making some brushes...

Metal lathe will work fine,Just need to make a tool rest.

Originally Posted by engine46

The reason I asked is I have a metal cutting lathe I need to get over here from my mothers house that my dad left to me. I have thought of maybe trying it unless I can pick up a wood lathe cheap.

Yes I use a metal lathe - works for now. Plus, you can cut metal
Very nice brush OP! Looks like you did just fine. I need more practice with the resins

You have done nice work just using a drill press (a vertical rotery tool) you can do the same with a metal lathe with a few modifications.
Pics of the lathe when you get it pls Engine

That's great because I need it here to cut metals also. I used to play on it when I was younger. I just need to get it over here from my mothers house. My only transportation is my Harley right now & can't get it on that. I had a truck but when I was forced to retire early due to medical issues I lost it. I'm waiting on disability to approve me any day now. I just won 2 pieces of horn last night on eBay intended for knife handles, one 5' long & the other 6" long. The 5" is dark buffalo horn & the 6" is a dark green horn, like a jade green. I'm going to cut them with a hacksaw, smooth 'em out & polish them then use a forester bit to drill them out for the knots.

Keep us posted

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Keep us posted

I will as soon as I get the horn. I think I can make one or two from the horn w/o using the lathe for now but i need a friend of mine to give me a ride to my mothers 25 miles from here to get my lathe.

Originally Posted by engine46

I will as soon as I get the horn. I think I can make one or two from the horn w/o using the lathe for now but i need a friend of mine to give me a ride to my mothers 25 miles from here to get my lathe.

I do want to hear about the lathe,good luck in getting good solid Horn off the bay,I have had bad luck finding pces useable for making brushes

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I do want to hear about the lathe,good luck in getting good solid Horn off the bay,I have had bad luck finding pces useable for making brushes

The lathe is cool. My dad used to have a starter, alternator, generator & motor rewinding shop until he retired, then passed in '02. I used to work for him so I played around quite a bit on the lathe making things like cannon's & other stuff. After he retired, he was bored one day & had extra paint laying around in cans so he painted it from it's original machine gray to red & blue & whatever else. He always stayed active & was a smart man. Whenever I had a problem, I'd always call him & he'd tell me how to fix something or whatever. I don't know whether to leave it like he painted it or to paint it back to gray again but it was something he did in his last few months. I wanna leave it alone even though it doesn't look like it used to. He was a great man & I'll be more than happy to show pics of it as soon as I get it over here.

I have created a synthetic brush using a butterscotch resin handle from Whipped Dog which I modified on my lathe.

Approximate dimensions:

Total height: 100mm
Handle height: 48mm
Loft: 52mm
Knot: 25mm

I made another butterscotch brush. This time in pearl resin. Very beautiful stuff. This one is two band finest and is a large-ish brush that is very luxurious.

Approximate dimensions:

Total height: 98mm
Handle height: 48mm
Loft height: 50mm
Knot: 27mm