Thread: First brush

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

So you might be able to drill it deeper and lower the loft a bit. That will set it deeper, and at the same time, fill out the hole. What's your intended loft?

I'm not sure on what loft to use. It's a very dense knot, so more lift might be OK? I'm starting to get frustrated so I'm putting it aside for now. The Chinese knot hasn't moved from China in 19 days now. I kinda wish I was playing with that one and not the shavemac.

Ok. I've made a lot of progress. I went to woodcraft and bought the 30mm forstner bit. Since the bottom of the shavemac 30mm is roughly 28mm it allows the base of the knot to fit nicely, and grab tightly to the knot where it becomes exposed from the handle. Here's my first attempt on ebony. Now I'm going back to the cocobolo.

Here's the updated depth.

Looking good man!!

I was at Woodcraft yesterday and had a hunk of that in my hand. That will look great all polished up. I just took a break in the shop to check out the board, covered in African blackwood shavings hahaa .

What chuck are you using on the lathe?

Shavemac and ebony will be a very classy package !

It's a nova chuck. I have the clamping jaws and the spigot jaws, so I can turn both ends. I'm just trying to figure if 58mm lift is too much.

Originally Posted by prodigy

It's a nova chuck. I have the clamping jaws and the spigot jaws, so I can turn both ends. I'm just trying to figure if 58mm lift is too much.

Right on thanks, thats my next addition. Will surely speed thing up and make life easier.

I think that by drilling the first hole bigger, then switching to a smaller 30mm hole allowed for the perfect fitment of this knot. I'm going through coats of CA glue trying to get this thing finished. I went away from the chubby idea a little.

looks like you're on the right track now. Great work!


Your loft on that 30mm is probably a little on the higher side IMO. Not a bad thing. If it were mine, I'd shoot for around 54-55mm.

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

looks like you're on the right track now. Great work!


Your loft on that 30mm is probably a little on the higher side IMO. Not a bad thing. If it were mine, I'd shoot for around 54-55mm.

It was ordered in 58, but from where the top edge of the epoxy base it's like 60+mm. Hope it holds some lather!

Ok I'm done! It's not 100% as far as fit and finish. I just accept it as my first brush and will learn on the next ones. Overall. Looks great to me. Time to set the knot and then test this bad boy out!