Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16
Like Tree7Likes

Thread: handle material question

  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 2

    Default handle material question

    I don't have a lathe and really want to make a brush handle.

    I was at the hobby/craft store and came across a polymer clay.

    Has anybody used this? I'm assuming after painting and firing it would react like a ceramic or porcelain.

    I just wonder if it'll hold up as a handle and water usage.

    Thoughts?

  2. #2
    Membur CyberShdw's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Guelph, Canada
    Posts
    88
    Thanked: 17

    Default

    Haven't tried it but it sounds like a product that might not appreciate being wet.

    Do you have a drill press or drill kicking around? You can rig up a redneck lathe with either of those and some sand paper. Hand cut the wood to close the dimensions. Take high grit sand paper glued to a piece of scrap let the drill run and sand the profile in. Not ideal but I have done it on occasion on the job site for dowel creation or re profiling a railing ball.

    If you do try it let us know. And remember even on ceramic there always a uncoated section.
    --There will be an edit.....wait for it...wait for it... There we go.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 2

    Default

    I've been wanting to make a wooden handle, but I would need a lathe or drill press. I only have a hand drill right now. I might try the hole drill method...

  4. #4
    Senior Member criswilson10's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Easley, SC, USA
    Posts
    1,861
    Thanked: 480

    Default

    The polymeric clay can be fragile. I've had pieces of it crack just by holding it - and they weren't thin fragile pieces either. It has to be sealed with multiple coats of sealer if it is going to be around water. If water gets back into it, it just disintegrates.

    For the makeshift lathe out of a drill do a google search for afghan lathe. It will tear up the drill's bearings in the long run, but it does work even with chisels and gouges as long as they are very sharp and you use light pressure.
    Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead - Charles Bukowski

  5. #5
    Membur CyberShdw's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Guelph, Canada
    Posts
    88
    Thanked: 17

    Default

    Kotitekoinen puusorvi/Homemade DIY wood lathe: Kotitekoinen puusorvi/Homemade DIY wood lathe - YouTube really low tech

    I can already hear pixel and harry....
    --There will be an edit.....wait for it...wait for it... There we go.

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    75
    Thanked: 2

    Default

    That looks so sketchy.... I think I'd rather try to find something else to repurpose. Or just find an old brush to restore and out the 22mm knot into. Or have somebody make me a handle until I can get a bench top lathe.

  7. #7
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Roseville,Kali
    Posts
    10,432
    Thanked: 2027

    Default

    Have seen several Homemade lathes that work just fine,Unlike metal lathes, wood lathes do not have to be accurate machines.
    Your using hand tools and turning by hand,have seen many great brushe handles made with a drill press and Files.
    Lots of options.
    CyberShdw and HARRYWALLY like this.
    CAUTION
    Dangerous within 1 Mile

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to pixelfixed For This Useful Post:

    Jake77 (10-29-2014)

  9. #8
    The Hurdy Gurdy Man thebigspendur's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    32,736
    Thanked: 5016
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default

    At one time there were no such things a lathes or power tools period. Everything was done by hand and the work was far more intricate and detailed than it is now.
    No matter how many men you kill you can't kill your successor-Emperor Nero

  10. #9
    Senior Member blabbermouth
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Roseville,Kali
    Posts
    10,432
    Thanked: 2027

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by thebigspendur View Post
    At one time there were no such things a lathes or power tools period. Everything was done by hand and the work was far more intricate and detailed than it is now.
    Actually, lathes date back to 1300 B.C
    CAUTION
    Dangerous within 1 Mile

  11. #10
    Senior Member JSmith1983's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Menominee,MI
    Posts
    1,624
    Thanked: 325

    Default

    I have tried using an old drill/mill press as a lathe after seeing some videos of it. It didn't turn out so well. I plan on trying it again once I get a center point that will hold the piece of wood better. The one I tried didn't hold it at all and the wood just stopped spinning, but recently I bought an old lathe for $2.50 without a motor and since I have a motor that I can use I might just use that instead. I still want to see if I can use the drill, but that will probably come later.
    irish19 and JoelLewicki like this.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •