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Post by matloffm on Aug 29, 2013 18:42:45 GMT -6
I am interested in trying to restore old brushes. I would like to ask the "old hands" at doing restorations what methods are used to get the old knot out? Any techniques you would like to share would be much appreciated.
Thanks to all in advance. Marc
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Aug 29, 2013 22:23:18 GMT -6
I've only used one method; drilling and then hand use of a Dremel with a proper bit. I'm very comfortable using a Dremel in that manner. Allow me to rephrase that. The Dremel is mounted in a stand and is stationary. The brush is held with my hand.
I've read of steaming them out and using a vise to basically crush the knot and remove it from the handle. The vise is used only on the knot close to the handle and not the handle.
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Aug 30, 2013 6:28:34 GMT -6
I don't know if I qualify as an old hand since I've only been doing it for a couple months, but I'm approaching 30 with the ones I'm working on now. Like Brian, I use a Dremel on most of them. I soak the old bristles for awhile to get them saturated then cut them off with scissors as close to the handle as possible, then use cutting bits and grinding bit to get the old knot out. Occasionally a really old or worn out knot will come out real easy. I just finished up a really cool looking old Made Rite that had a pure badger knot, after I cut off the what i could it felt real soft so I dug the tip of the scissor in the center and started twisting. In less than five minutes the whole thing had broken into pieces and fell out in chunks. A few minutes with a grinding stone cleaned the glue that was left and smoothed out the sides of the bore hole and that was it.
All I can say is get one and give it a try, I wish I would've started this a long time ago, I've really come to enjoy it immensely. And it was Brian's review of the TGN synthetic knots that motivated me to do my first restore and I'll take this opportunity to thank him again!
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Post by matloffm on Aug 30, 2013 16:29:08 GMT -6
Thanks for the replies. I too am a fan of the TGN synthetic knot. I have a 24mm brush made from one of their handles and knots. But I like the old handles and want to create my own brushes. I am going to get some kind of desk vise to hold the brush or the Dremel. I also thought I would use a mild solvent (like Goo Gone) to help loosen the knot as the old knots did not use epoxy, but I'll try soaking them first.
If the width of the hole is bigger than the size of the knot you want to mount, what do you use to fill the excess space? For example, if I have a handle with a 28mm hole and I want to use a 24-25mm knot, what would you use to close the gap?
Also, some of the restores shown on the forum have the lettering restored. What kind of paint do you use? Do you use different paint for Bakelite as you would hard rubber? Besides a steady hand, are there any other techniques you can suggest for the lettering? For example, sometimes the letters are stamped into the handle, can you paint over the area and then wipe off the excess or do you have to paint each letter individually?
Again thanks for any suggestions you have. Marc
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Post by willyb on Aug 30, 2013 16:35:58 GMT -6
Drill press with a Forstner bit. I know drill presses dont exist in everyones garage, I used my dads woodshop. the dremel is probably the most practical way to do it. Make the hole BARELY big enough to push the knot down in there. and if the hole is too deep, use dimes or nickels or whatever, to raise the base up a tad.I put a dab of epoxy btwn each coin to be safe. Gives the brush a nice weighted feel also. Heck I raised the value of one of my brushes by a whole dollar, by using nickels! LOL
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Post by HoosierTrooper on Aug 30, 2013 17:39:03 GMT -6
Thanks for the replies. I too am a fan of the TGN synthetic knot. I have a 24mm brush made from one of their handles and knots. But I like the old handles and want to create my own brushes. I am going to get some kind of desk vise to hold the brush or the Dremel. I also thought I would use a mild solvent (like Goo Gone) to help loosen the knot as the old knots did not use epoxy, but I'll try soaking them first. If the width of the hole is bigger than the size of the knot you want to mount, what do you use to fill the excess space? For example, if I have a handle with a 28mm hole and I want to use a 24-25mm knot, what would you use to close the gap? Also, some of the restores shown on the forum have the lettering restored. What kind of paint do you use? Do you use different paint for Bakelite as you would hard rubber? Besides a steady hand, are there any other techniques you can suggest for the lettering? For example, sometimes the letters are stamped into the handle, can you paint over the area and then wipe off the excess or do you have to paint each letter individually? Again thanks for any suggestions you have. Marc I only soak the bristles to soften the hairs up when I cut them off with the scissors as close to the opening as I can, they cut a little easier when wet, and stay in a clump so they don't go everywhere. I don't know if I'd use anything to try and soften the old glue, it may stain or damage the finish. One other thing, I use silicone adhesive instead of epoxy, it takes longer to set up which for me is a plus, it gives me more time to make sure the knot is level and if you get some on the handle it's easier to clean up. Also, if you decide to change knots or adjust the loft the silicone adhesive allows the knot to come out with a bit of tugging. See my updated Dubl Duck thread for an example. I don't think I'd try filling in the gap around the knot if there's that much difference in size, you generally want the hole to be a millimeter or two bigger than the base of the knot. If it's much bigger the only way to fill it in is set the knot deeper so that the flare of the knot fills in the space. Here's a pictorial I put on here awhile back showing how to paint the lettering theoriginalsafetytoo.com/thread/929/restore-lettering-on-vintage-brushes
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Post by matloffm on Aug 30, 2013 19:17:18 GMT -6
Great link. Thanks for the information.
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