Thread: How deep to drill?

Originally Posted by coachschaller

Hoping to get started today. Going to a friend's place. I have a trick or two up my sleeve for this project
My biggest decision is how to finish the bottom: I might cap it with a piece of antler, or I might just sand down to some type of metal cap.

I have a 26mm Maggard mixed knot (70:30 badger/boar) I will try to drill down to about 18 mm and then shim if needed.

I am a fan of Maggard's knots. I have the 24mm SHD set in African Blackwood (my favorite brush), and that 70/30 badger/boar combo-sort of the best of both worlds. Enjoy!

Hope we can see a picture of the finished project Darren!

Still doing the finishing touches on number 1. I have had a couple of test shaves so far and had to drill a little deeper. The knot was splaying too much for my liking. Not sure I like the knot - it is really scritchy. I bought a forstner bit and have drilled deeper using my cordless drill. I figured the original holes were straight enough using the drill press. However, the new bit might not be as sharp as the bit I was using originally - or the CA has really absorbed into the hole and made it really tough. I might try to upload some process pics in a bit.

Here is a group shot of three



The bottom drilled out for a rare-earth magnet



Knot hole



Texture




Here is my plan

The bottom magnet will hold the brush to ferrous metal - great for display... even upside down.

I will be using marine epoxy to secure a small disc rare earth magnet to the bottom of the knot hole 15/16" wide by 1/4" thick.
To the knot, I have glued another magnet.
This allows me to switch knots while using one handle, saving money on handles! This idea came together when I got a custom Jerry Stark that was done in Elk Antler scales. I was able to procure a set of moose antlers for $10 USD at a garage sale. I think I might be able to glue the bottom magnet in today.

That is a crazy deal on the antler.
The brushes are looking good. The CA does ad a level of hardness to the centre. Antler is funny to work with because the outside is very hard and the inside until sealed with CA is very soft. I’d like to know how the changeable knots work out in the end. A few people have talked about them but I am yet to hear anyone say how well they worked.

Looking good! I've found that Forstner bits can take a good amount of pressure compared to other (smaller ) bits especially depending on the style. Interesting idea using the magnets. My concern would be if water got in there and rusted the washer (or ferrous metal). Not sure how much water really gets down into a brush handle.

Originally Posted by tintin

Looking good! I've found that Forstner bits can take a good amount of pressure compared to other (smaller ) bits especially depending on the style. Interesting idea using the magnets. My concern would be if water got in there and rusted the washer (or ferrous metal). Not sure how much water really gets down into a brush handle.

I will have the bottom magnet sealed and if the coating does not prevent the rust on the brush I can easily seal it as well

More progress
Getting ready to epoxy it in. I used two part marine epoxy.



mixed up and epoxy on bottom of knot hole:



Magnet placed on epoxy:



Magnet covered in epoxy. Hoping this will keep out water and keep the magnets from hitting each other too hard and breaking:



In some of the pictures you can see the magnet on the bottom of the knot. I will have another test tonight.

You were careful to keep the polarity the same on the magnets, right?

I ask because I don't see any sharpie marks on the magnets and I certainly would have marked them to keep them straight.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

You were careful to keep the polarity the same on the magnets, right?

yes!!!!

In one of the brushes I did a test fit of the bottom magnet and it got stuck - but it was turned the wrong way. I also had already glued the magnet to the knot. I had to take a small drill bit and drill down from the top to push out the magnet. After than I made sure to test polarity before test fits