How do you restore a brush?
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Restore how? I mean, a vintage brush restoration (like, a new knot), or restore/clean a brush that isn't producing good lather any more?
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- #3
As in putting in a new knot.
This thread has some very good pics and detail...should help get you started.
Step-by-step Brush Restoration. With how often this comes up, we really need to make to make it a sticky.
HAH! Beat you to it, G-Money!
How dare you think of the same thread I did! 
And G-Money?
And G-Money?
How dare you think of the same thread I did!
And G-Money?
LOL...you're so money, and you don't even know it...
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- #9
Some would argue that the major brush makers (Rooney, Simpson etc.) have higher quality knots. However, based on the 26mm Finest from Golden Nib I just used for the first time Saturday I'm asking the same question, "Why would anyone buy a brush instead of making one?" Vintage brushes in need of new knots can easily be found for around $10. If you're even semi handy with tools its not a hard job to cut, drill or carve out an old knot and replace it with a really nice new one from Golden Nib.
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- #11
Seriously. I'm looking into how much an hour of time on a lathe at the local high school will cost me. It looks like I can get a short tonne of 2"x2" black walnut turning blanks for about $25. I can get bowl blanks for cheap as well. I figure for $300, I can make some fantastic birthday gifts for just about all of my male relatives.
if you have the ability and time to make one, you can't go wrong with those finest knots. another member, Ian (fidjit), suggested them on a thread I posted awhile back. I am impressed with them turned out making a few nice brushes out of handles I picked up from another board member, Jack-In-The-Green. I now blame him for my latest crush on refinishing old brushes as I am currently hunting them down to bring them home and be fitted to new knots.
Hah Ian, Gafer and I can't complain. I think they are great knots. Thank you for the input on that project, the little black and tan I ended up keeping is a treat to use because of it.
Well, you need a few more tools: a saw to cut the blank to proper size, a drill press to drill the holes with forstner drill bits, to hold the blank on the lathe you need also a screw mandrel and a chuck to hold such, turning tools, sanding and finishing supplies.....the list goes on.
If you can rent the workshop of a school, go for it!
BTW, those turning blanks sound very good, can you pm me a picture?
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- #16
I think they're outstanding knots as well - I can't imagine a better one then my 26mm finest from GN. That said, I've just seen CLAIMS around here that the knots that are available from GN aren't as nice as from the major producers although I can't substantiate that claim.
Being the cheap skate I am, I bought a 22mm knot from GN and threw it into a "candle cup" I picked up at a hobby store. Got the idea from another member. The 4-5 coats I put on it are holding up nicely. It's been about a year and the knot has shed 1 hair.
It's nothing spectacular to look at but for under $20 it makes for a nice badger brush.
It's nothing spectacular to look at but for under $20 it makes for a nice badger brush.
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