Third Restore: Ever Ready 100

Picked this up at a local store today.

Attachment 191828

Attachment 191829


Color is a bit bright because I used flash. Took the pic below without flash, but that did not show off the blue properly.

Attachment 191830

It's in great shape, except for the worn out boar knot. The 20mm TGN Finest on the left will be it's replacement.
I will not be doing any type of sanding on the outside of the handle if I can avoid it. There is a mold line between the knot hole and the Ever Ready branding that I could do away with if I sanded. But the patina to the creme color of the top portion of the brush might be compromised if I did this, and I don't want to lose that, if I can help it. So this brush will get a soak in hot water and dish soap, and then a good scrubbing with a soapy cloth and tooth brush. Once the knot is fitted I'll hit it with polish, but that is it.
I was going to put this knot in this handle.

Attachment 191831

As a matter of fact, this handle has already been fitted for this knot. But I can always get a generic, modern sort of handle like this one, if I want. I'd much rather restore the Ever Ready.
More to come.

I like the old brush handles myself. can't wait to see it done.

I think someone is hooked!!

Your on the right track and I can't wait to see it all done. This new blue and cream handle is nice and once fitted with the new badger knot will serve you well. I have one I did a while back and love it. Just so you know, there's vintage brush listings on ebay that are a "lot" with multiple brushes needing reknotted for dirt cheap. You could make yourself an army of reknotted brushes for a good price if your having fun doing this sort of thing.

I was hooked when I set my first knot!
I have seen the listings on ebay. Would be nice, but I don't use Paypal, so I can't really shop the 'bay. My SIL uses ebay, so I may talk to her and get her to bid on an auction or two. Just give her a limit not to go past.
I have a lot of fun looking for them locally, though.

I decided to try another way of removing a knot, which I saw on Youtube.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u...0/100_2199.JPG

The idea is to put the brush up tight to the vise jaws, and crush the glue bulge above the knot. It looked good on the video, but for me the vise kept slipping off the glue bulge and just crushing hairs. I tried to push the knot into the vise as I cranked down on the jaws, but all I accomplished was to cause the brush to come apart.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-V...0/100_2201.JPG

I trimmed the hair and sussed out my options. I assume a bit of epoxy will put the handle back together. But it was actually good that it happened, because now I can get to both sides of the knot, plus really be able to see what's going on during knot removal.
I started with a 1/8" bit and drilled a few holes.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e...0/100_2202.JPG

You can see my progress from the back side.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D...0/100_2203.JPG

Next the name of the game is use whatever I can to further compromise the plug in the old knot. A big drill bit will start us off.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C...0/100_2204.JPG


After that, all I did was take a small chisel and knock the plug out.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z...0/100_2205.JPG


Piece of cake, really. I like that!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f...0/100_2206.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...0/100_2207.JPG

Calipers read 20.12mm.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/100_2208.JPG

Glue bulge above the epoxy base plug reads 21.82mm

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k...0/100_2211.JPG

Used a flat sanding board to lightly sand and smooth out the opening.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/100_2213.JPG

Wanted something I could use in my drill like a sanding drum. Took a nut driver socket and using 3M 77 spray adhesive, I think we have a winner.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9...0/100_2212.JPG

And, ready to accept the knot.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5...0/100_2215.JPG

Next time wrap the old knot tightly with masking tape,than put it in the vice.
Just another way.

Thank you for the tip. I will definitely try that.

I don't have any black paint to fill in the lettering. It actually looks like it might have been gold, anyway. Not certain I will even worry about it. It is still quite legible, and I think I might be of a mind to let it be, like the patina on the white piece. Not certain, yet.

Alright, according to my measurements, from the bottom of the glue plug to the tip of the hairs my knot is 64mm in height. I have been playing around with a damp knot at various heights in the handle, and 47mm looks like my sweet spot for this one.
Anyone know if I can just wipe the handle dry with tissue, wipe the epoxy plug dry and go ahead and set the knot, or do I need to wait for the knot to thoroughly dry first?

BTW, anyone notice it looks like the bottom of this brush is stamped "IRREG"? I assume that means "Irregular", though I can't find a thing wrong with it.

Nevermind the "IRREG", big up to your project. It looks like its coming along nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Siguy

Nevermind the "IRREG", big up to your project. It looks like its coming along nicely.

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Thanks! And the "irregularity", whatever it is, is not an issue. The handle is beautiful.

I think "irregular" has been sorted. GDCarrington pointed out that the original knot was not set straight in the brush. If you look at the first pic in this thread, it appears he is correct. Good thing I'm re knotting. ;)

Ready for epoxy.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I...0/100_2217.JPG

The three pieces of wooden dowel will be used as filler.
Like this.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6...0/100_2218.JPG

I will fill the bottom half of the handle halfway with epoxy, insert the filler wood, and join the two parts of the handle together. Then I'll finish filling until I reach a level about 18mm below the top of the handle(46mm loft). This should allow for a bit of squeeze out around the plug , and put me (hopefully) right at 47mm loft once I go to set the knot.
I'll let the epoxy in the handle set up good before I do that.

I set the knot. It is curing right now. Loft ended up at 48mm. I was shooting for 47mm, but I don't think 1mm will make a dime's worth of difference in performance.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W...0/100_2219.JPG

I will most likely shave with it tomorrow evening, and post up a post bloom pic. Thank you all for watching.

very nice !! I had one that I was trying to restore that I just mutilated to death and told myself !!! never again ..lol..

glad it came out wonderful for you !!

Gooser, thank you.
I would recommend if you attempt it again, find an Ever Ready in this style. Don't think they could get any simpler than this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SRNewb

Gooser, thank you.
I would recommend if you attempt it again, find an Ever Ready in this style. Don't think they could get any simpler than this one.

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actually it was almost the same brush ..lol.. I drilled a ton of holes in the plug to get as much out as I could , then I jumped to a speed bore bit and it ended up breaking it , I had hours involved and no patience at the time !! it was a time where in like a month period I thought I could restore , hone , and shave anything ..lol..

I may try again as I think I have another one laying around and have mellowed out ..lol

Every one loses a few, I think. I have been lucky so far that my first three have gone well, but I know I will blow it on one of them sooner or later. I bet you some of these guys on here that have done this a lot longer than you or I could tell some stories if they wanted to.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SRNewb

Every one loses a few, I think. I have been lucky so far that my first three have gone well, but I know I will blow it on one of them sooner or later. I bet you some of these guys on here that have done this a lot longer than you or I could tell some stories if they wanted to.

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im sure they can ..lol..

I like the idea of the chisel , I was using a little center punch to knock out between the trill holes , then figured I would go to the small drum sander like you did , I can really see the advantages to how you did it as opposed to my attempt and will probably !! again , nice work !

I think at that point I could have used a flat screwdriver and been good. Just put it on the solid parts of the plug and tap it firmly with the palm of my hand.
But my chisels are scarey sharp because I use them for guitar building and repair, and I thought a sharp chisel might help cut through. If you use one, just watch the corners and don't hit it too hard, as it will cut through the plastic around the knot hole or the bottom of the brush like a hot knife through butter.