Help "Patching" a Handle

[Steve_in_CT]

I finally decided that I would try to restore my Duke 2 myself. I steamed out the old knot, but ran into a couple of problems. There is a small hairline crack at the edge of the opening and some gaps in the plastic/ceramic or whatever where some came out with the knot. You can see both in the photos. I'm guessing that my best bet is to patch those gaps and fill the crack as best I can. Should I use clear epoxy? Is something else better for this purpose?

 

[NSmalls]

Steve I would sand the inside of the hole a little bit, and put some epoxy down. Not a lot just a light coating. Let it dry and then sand it again and see where you're at.

 

[takisg]

Steve I would sand the inside of the hole a little bit, and put some epoxy down. Not a lot just a light coating. Let it dry and then sand it again and see where you're at.

This is the only thing you can do, but no matter what the hairline cracks they going to be visible...it happened alsoto me with a Vulfix handle.

 

[Pattorashu]

I would second the inside epoxy fix, it'll maintain strength without looking like a fix... Unless you are familiar with visual grade resins, I'd stay away from epoxy on the outside.

Since this isn't really a high stress application (structural), a light coat should be enough to help the crack not to flex and worsen, IMO.

 

[Doryferon]

No matter if you glue mixed with sand the handle and after shinning with buffs the crack will be visible from close range.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

I've epoxied it and I think it will be OK. The crack will be visible but I don't think it will expand.

 

[GDCarrington]

I've epoxied it and I think it will be OK. The crack will be visible but I don't think it will expand.

That is the best result is that you can use the handle and the brush with the repair in place.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

So here's the finished product. I used a Silver Tip knot from Virginia Sheng. Just glued it in today. I filled the extra space in the handle with a washer attached to the bottom of a plastic fastener used to attach body parts on my car. I first filled the cavity with enough epoxy to fill in any gaps and then pushed my improvised plug into the goo. I'll let it set for 24 hours and then see if I like it.

 

[refles]

That's really a great patch job, hope it comes out well! Let us know how it comes out when it cures and you give it its first run.

 

[shaverjoe]

Looks great

 

[deruitem]

Nice job

 

[JaxJim]

Nice work!

 

[rotto66]

The repair looks good. How is the new Silver Tip knot from Virginia Sheng? I have a couple of her finest knots that I really like.

 

[Steve_in_CT]

The knot seems quite nice, but I think I've become too accustomed to my Vulfix 404 Grosvenor badger/boar combination. The Silver Tip is plenty dense and from my experience with several badger brushes over the years, it seems to have ample backbone. But it doesn't have the "scrubbiness" that I get from my Grosvenor. I might also do better with a best or finest badger rather than Silver Tip, but I will say that for $18 shipped it's a very fine knot. If you're looking for soft and dense it's a great fit.