Thread: Crystal Chubby handled brush.

Originally Posted by MikekiM

If you asked me before hand, I would have said the I wouldn't like the idea of seeing the adhesive in the knot cup. But I would have been wrong. I love seeing what's going on inside!!

That's beautiful!!

He asked me if I wanted the cup to be painted and I asked him to keep it clear.I think its pretty cool to see the details.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

Absolutely!

When I make brushes from wood, I mount the blank into my Talon chuck jaws, bore the knot hole with a forstner bit and then drill and tap for a mandrel. That is then inserted into a jacobs chuck and the remainder of the brush is turned.

With this transparent acrylic, everything on the inside is visible. So, the acrylic I still start by mounting in my Talon chuck jaws, and bore the hole 2/3 of the depth I normally would. I then finish the rest of the depth by hand with a turning tool. The reason for this is the guide spike on the forstner bit. Looks terrible with that showing through. It looks way better to have a perfectly flat base on the inside of the cup. I then sand the inside cup ( hole for the knot ) and the top lip to 2500. The top lip also needs to be sanded because the collet I use has a stop on it that covers that section, and you won't be able to get to it once mounted.

Beall I-X (Internal Expanding) Collet Set - Lee Valley Tools

These are the collets I use for all my clear acrylics. Once mounted inside the knot cup/pocket/hole it gets mounted directly into the jacobs chuck on the headstock. The rest of the brush can be finished turned from this setup. This is a very solid mount and find it has very little vibration. If wood wouldn't split, I would do all my brushes this way. Unfortunately, wood shaving brushes tend to have thin walls in this area so a mandrel is better suited for wood. Remember, between centres whenever possible and don't forget to ride that bevel!

Hope that helps. Maybe in the future I'll make a vid of the whole procedure.

Appreciate the info.
Have a had my lathe for about 2 weeks. just leaning to use it. Finding out that there are dozens of accessories one needs to get started.
I'll post some pics soon of my some of my recent efforts.
thanks for the inspiration.

That's what I call gourmet shaving equipment!

I like clear acrylic a lot for brushes and this is no exception....but a few brushes back someone mentioned the adhesive showing....I don't think it was a clear acrylic so was not quite as noticeable. To me here it does detract from the clean look of the brush and mixes clarity and symmetry with a blah color in a gooey shape.....I would not write this if I haven't admired so many of your brushes, especially the acrylics. An opaque acrylic would take care of the knot.....I don't know about paint...is that what has been used in the past? Your work is stunning on the lathe and I'm still a big fan, so take this with a grain of salt as they say.

Nice job. Have you thought about doing one of these with a slight tint to it? Pink or Blue would be nice.

Just so everyone is clear, I asked Andrew to leave the pocket for the knot just the way it was. I didn't want anything but clear acrylic. I approached him and specifically asked for the brush you see in the pictures.

Originally Posted by Redcane

Just so everyone is clear, I asked Andrew to leave the pocket for the knot just the way it was. I didn't want anything but clear acrylic. I approached him and specifically asked for the brush you see in the pictures.

I think it's perfect just as it is. Good job and great taste.

The exposed glue works for me.

If only it were a boar knot, it would a grand slam!! I am such a boar whore!!

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I think it's perfect just as it is. Good job and great taste.

The exposed glue works for me.

If only it were a boar knot, it would a grand slam!! I am such a boar whore!!

Am certain andrew can accomodate you

Originally Posted by MikekiM

I think it's perfect just as it is. Good job and great taste.

The exposed glue works for me.

If only it were a boar knot, it would a grand slam!! I am such a boar whore!!

This is my 3rd brush from him. I have a boar and it is great as well. He will do anything you ask and he is really great to do business with.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

Nice job. Have you thought about doing one of these with a slight tint to it? Pink or Blue would be nice.

how about orange, green or smoke?