Thread: Another Brush Restore

The handle looks very unique. Great job on the restore!

Do you make / consider to make custom Brushes?

I wouldn't say that I make custom brushes,just restored some vintage ones.I could be persuaded to sell these if someone liked them a lot,as I have some more handles in the works.

I'm considering doing this myself. I want a new brush or two but I don't want to pay heaps. I am looking at some old brushes on ebay that I like the look of the handles. The only problem is that I don't have a drill press to get the old bristles out in the manner you described. Is it at all possible to just give them a good yank and pull the lot out?

I recently restored an old brush without drilling anything. I cut the bristles as short as I could with some strong scissors, cutting a bit more out of the centre. I then boiled a kettle and put the brush in the bottom of the kitchen sink and poured boiling water directly into the centre of what remained of the bristles. A few prods with a craft knife and I'd loosened the old knot enough for me to cut it all out within a minute.

Just one more question. I know we don't discuss prices on here, but if I were to buy some old brushes from ebay and some new knots and sell them, do you think I could come out ahead?

If you don't have a drill press, you can take a short spade bit smaller than the knot "hole" and hock onto a hand drill. Make sure that you use a low to medium speed stetting and if at all possible, use a vise or clamp to hold the brush handle. I've done this without either clamping or the use of a vise, so it is possible but the spade bit transfers much torque into the handle that could potentially cause a hand injury.

Hi, all,

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm new around here and was searching the net for tips about doing my own restoration on a Rubberset aluminum brush. I was wondering, did anybody else have great difficulty removing the cap on this brush? I read that it's supposed to unscrew, but I can't for the life of me get it to budge. Is there a trick to this, i.e. soaking in water, clamping, wrench, etc.?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!


--Sammy

You certainly have the gift there.

Originally Posted by samlark

Hi, all,

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I'm new around here and was searching the net for tips about doing my own restoration on a Rubberset aluminum brush. I was wondering, did anybody else have great difficulty removing the cap on this brush? I read that it's supposed to unscrew, but I can't for the life of me get it to budge. Is there a trick to this, i.e. soaking in water, clamping, wrench, etc.?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!


--Sammy

I have restored several of these, not knowing that they unscrewed! In looking down in there, there are threads! I suppose the oxidation and gunk makes them tough to get loose! If you could get one to this point, perhaps some penetrant or gentle heat would get it to break loose? Then again, If you get it to this point, Just reknot it! Nice handles!

Originally Posted by ndw76

I'm considering doing this myself. I want a new brush or two but I don't want to pay heaps. I am looking at some old brushes on ebay that I like the look of the handles. The only problem is that I don't have a drill press to get the old bristles out in the manner you described. Is it at all possible to just give them a good yank and pull the lot out?

Cannot do that! The old stuff is too strong. I have found that if you tape the bristles up tightly with duct tape, you can clamp them tightly in the jaws of a vise. A common hacksaw makes quick work of them with minimal mess!. Also, a drill bit of the max for a cordless drill (usually 3/8)will get a hole in the middle. Then, you can pick, pry, grind, etc, until it is clear. I have also found that a new knot can be glued in with "goop". It is thick CA type commonly sold as Automotive, Household, even Shoe goop. Same stuff! Slather some around the inside of the handle, put a big pile on the top of the knot, insert where you want it, and hang handle upside down in some sort of clamp. The goop will slowly run in and adhere/seal the knot into the handle. It must be left in the inverted position for a day or two to cure. Works great and is less messy than epoxies. The depth of the inserted knot has everything to do with the resulting stiffness of the brush. The deeper you put it, the stiffer the brush will be. Restored old brushes are very cool!