Attempting a couple brushes

I've recently been getting more into different brushes and now I find myself trying to make a couple handles. I have no prior experience with brush handles and only simple tools. But I have a couple knots on the way so I'm trying my hand at making something that is functional and possibly will look alright too.

I've only just begun but here's what I have so far. I have a thick (2 inch) slab of bubinga that I picked up a few years ago at a local hardwood dealer and I also have a chunk of "choke cherry" that I rough cut with a chainsaw from a tree I took down maybe 16 years ago.
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I cut a piece out of each with a hand saw and then rough shaped with a small plane
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Then I shaped them into cylinders with a rasp.
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That's all I have so far. I don't know what shape I will make them and I need to study about the hole and setting the knot in there. I don't have a lathe so I plan on just shaping them into something by hand. Again, first attempt, limited tools and experience, just going for functional mostly and if it works I'll be happy with them. Anything I should know before moving forward?

I have no advice to give however I will say when you have a lathe and a shop full of power tools you can turn these things out by the dozens.(I'm not knocking guys with power tools here) When you do it all by hand in my book that is a real accomplishment and something to be really proud of.

Looking good so far! Maybe matching brush and scales in the future?

So far..so good!
That's an awesome project to take on without power tools.
I'll bet your results will inspire some of us that are in the same boat to give it a try.
Keep us posted with the progress.
Good luck!

Pete <:-}

Thanks, guys! I am waiting to receive the knots and it is likely to be a while with shipping. I want to make the holes but not sure of the diameter and depth, how much room to leave.

@ Dinnermint - here's a Wm. Hargreaves I restored a few years ago using wood from that same piece of bubinga, so soon I'll have a brush to go with it (if all goes well). I was into CA finishing at the time but not so much anymore. I was thinking something like tru-oil or tung oil for the finish on the brushes.
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Very nice job on the razor, looks great.

Im going to say your brushes will turn out nice as well by the looks of your start and the finished product on the razor. What size knot did you get for the brush?

Once you get your knots in you can be sure about the bores. I use mostly 24mm knots but some of them have a big bulge above the plug so they need a larger hole, or stepped hole. If there is no bulge a 1" bore does nicely on the 24mm knots.

Thanks, the knots are 23/65 and 23.5/65. So, wondering if the 1" would be ok or is that too much play? Also, what is the standard depth if there is one? Right that I won't know for sure until I have the knots and that may be a while from halfway around the world. But now that I know the bore shouldn't be more than 1" I think I can start to safely shape the handles. I appreciate the info, thanks.

Even a drill or drill press will help but hand carved brushes look pretty cool sometimes.
Good start sir, look forward to what they become..
Cheers.

Got some work done on one of them today. Shaped the "choke cherry" pretty close to what I think it will be but waiting for the knots to arrive to be sure. Used the half round rasp and sandpaper to shape it and cleaned it up with a wool wheel in the dremel. Nothing too fancy, just a handle but I think the grain will be nice when I get some oil on it. Next up is the bubinga which is a harder wood than the choke cherry.
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nice work! i appreciate the time it took to do that without a lathe. might try a hole in a scrap piece of wood to test the fit. i usually make mine pretty snug but any extra slop could be filled in with epoxy if needed. the depth is up to you and weather you like a stiff or floppy brush. maybe make one of both if you can't decide.(i think about 50-53mm loft is about normal)

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Originally Posted by tintin

nice work! i appreciate the time it took to do that without a lathe. might try a hole in a scrap piece of wood to test the fit. i usually make mine pretty snug but any extra slop could be filled in with epoxy if needed. the depth is up to you and weather you like a stiff or floppy brush. maybe make one of both if you can't decide.(i think about 50-53mm loft is about normal)

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Good idea about the test fit in a different piece of wood, I'll definitely do that after the knots arrive. I don't like them too floppy so I'll see what depth I need. Got the bubinga shaped now and gave it kind of an alternating octagon shaped mid-section but maybe a little hard to see in photos.
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The knots are here and I've been applying thin coats of tru-oil to the handles. Getting close, maybe just a couple more thin coats and then I will be able to get the knots set, maybe this weekend.
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Very nice!

I like that one on the left , real cool profile!

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Originally Posted by AKmik

Very nice!

I like that one on the left , real cool profile!

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I agree.

Does the grain accentuate the profile or the other way around? :thinking:

They're looking fantastic! Keep up the good work!

Man, Tuzi! I just love how you do so much fine work with simple tools!
OUTSTANDING! :nj

Awesome so far!!
Love the finish.

Pete <:-}

Agreed! Takes some time, but hard to beat the TruOil!

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Originally Posted by sharptonn

Man, Tuzi! I just love how you do so much fine work with simple tools!
OUTSTANDING! :nj

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Amen to that tom,,
Looks terrific.
:tu

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement fellas! I take it to heart and it means a lot, especially having seen some of the brilliant work you guys do. :chapeau

I got what I think should be the last coat of tru-oil on them today, that makes 8 or 9 coats, and I will let them sit a couple days then set the knots. I think I'll try to end up with the loft a little over 50 mm, maybe 51-53, does that sound about right? Too tall?

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Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement fellas! I take it to heart and it means a lot, especially having seen some of the brilliant work you guys do. :chapeau

I got what I think should be the last coat of tru-oil on them today, that makes 8 or 9 coats, and I will let them sit a couple days then set the knots. I think I'll try to end up with the loft a little over 50 mm, maybe 51-53, does that sound about right? Too tall?

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Sounds like a downright diamond! Looking forward to seeing them done.
Sink 'em deep. Up fairly tight to the black.

Seeing big, fluffy blooms might be good entertainment.... We know better!

Some worker-bees out for a night on the town!
Make them work! :)

I was hoping to set the knots in them this weekend but I can see that the finish is too thin on the edges/corners. Just a very light sanding with 2000 grit to smooth the surface and then a quick polish looks like it exposed a tiny bit of wood places on the corners. Actually my first time working with tru-oil so it's a learning experience. I had been applying one very thin coat per day and 0000 steel wool between coats. Maybe there's a better method?

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Originally Posted by xiaotuzi

I was hoping to set the knots in them this weekend but I can see that the finish is too thin on the edges/corners. Just a very light sanding with 2000 grit to smooth the surface and then a quick polish looks like it exposed a tiny bit of wood places on the corners. Actually my first time working with tru-oil so it's a learning experience. I had been applying one very thin coat per day and 0000 steel wool between coats. Maybe there's a better method?

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I think that is exactly how it is done, Tuzi!

Finally got these two completed. I'm pleased with the results and think they will work for me very nicely.
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Thanks, guys, for the advice and encouragement. This little project left me with two thoughts... I gained an even deeper respect for all the guys on here that make real brushes! The quality and craftsmanship in some of the brushes I've seen on here are mind-blowing and I've only had a tiny taste of what it must take to accomplish that. Someday, maybe, someday... The other thought is that I really want to get a lathe!:tu

Wow, Garrison-Those are beautiful! Your level of craftsmanship on everything you turn out is really inspiring. I can only imagine what you will do with a lathe. Oh, and I think I need to try that Tru-Oil on my next set of wooden scales, too.

Ive used a small piece of brown grocery bag paper to smooth the tru-oil between coats. I found that trick on a knife site somewhere. It helps get any dust bumps out as well.

You should be tickled pink wit the results!
I would be proud to own either one of those beauties.
A lathe would be nice but I'm guessing that you got way more satisfaction doing it all by hand.
Congratulations on a fantastic job!

Pete <:-}

Wow! I really like the finish on the handles, they look great. Congratulations.

Ya those are excellent! I can tell this ISN'T your first time working wood, or working with Tru Oil. :rock::beer1:

Thanks guys! I can't wait to use them. Not my first time working with wood but it was the first time I used Tru-Oil. I like Matt's tip about the brown paper bag to wipe it on. The bottle said just use your finger and that's what I did at first but then the edges were thin and I had to go back and do a few more coats. I used a paper towel at that point and had better results but I think a brown paper bag would do even better. I get a lot of satisfaction from making useful things with my hands. It will be fun to use these!

The paper bag is for smoothing out the finish between coats. I use my finger to apply as well.