My first resto. Ever-Ready 200T

bnalley · May 24, 2012

this is my first restoration attempt. It is a blue/green & white(?) Ever Ready 200T. I got it and it was covered in a layer of funk. After I removed the crusty old knot I polished the heck out of it and the Bluey green top shined up nice. I thought the bottom half was white, but it remains a buttery looking color. Is this a product of age and being UV unstable, or is this the color it is supposed to be? Was thinking of a pure badger knot for it, silvertip seems a little fancy for this handle. what dou y'all think?

NexlevMM · May 24, 2012

I have one exactly like that, and im getting ready to put a knot into it. Great Job on this one! I noticed there are a lot of differences on the 200T models, even though they are the same model number, mine has a less creamy bottom then yours.

As for knot, it all depends on if you like soft or scrubby knots.

bnalley · May 24, 2012

Depends on which soap/cream I use as to which knot I like. I like Black Badger or even Boar with hard soap like MWF, and soft Silvertip for glycerin soap and creams. I just think the Silver might be a little much for this handle in particular.
I'm not too sure mine is supposed to be that creamy either.
Also, about the handle being copletely hollow, should I fill it with epoxy, or would the heat of it curing damage the plastic?

Blondie · May 24, 2012

bnalley said:
Depends on which soap/cream I use as to which knot I like. I like Black Badger or even Boar with hard soap like MWF, and soft Silvertip for glycerin soap and creams. I just think the Silver might be a little much for this handle in particular.
I'm not too sure mine is supposed to be that creamy either.
Also, about the handle being copletely hollow, should I fill it with epoxy, or would the heat of it curing damage the plastic?

I like a handle that feels solid, with a little weight to it, so I fill all of my handles. I use the Loc-Tite instant mix 5 minute cure epoxy, because it is in a syringe that mixes IN the syringe and it really handy for filling in handles. Just set the handle in a glass of water that does not go over the top of the handle and you should be ok. I have done more without the water bath, but recently got a few handles with thinner plastic, so I did that. I also fill in the handle with bb's for extra weight. I also fo all of my wet-sanding and polishing after I fill the handle. here is some deeper explanation of my processes:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/290307-Four-more-inbound?p=4148868#post4148868

bnalley · May 24, 2012

Blondie, Thanks for the link to your tips. I will fill mine with the loc-tite epoxy and bb's also, using your waterbath tip.
setting the knot worries me though, Its my first time and I'm hoping to not screw it up!

Blondie · May 24, 2012

As far as the knot, get a Two band Finest from the Golden Nib. Don't worry about putting a nice knot in it. It is probably one you are going to want to deep, so you may as well enjoy it.

Blondie · May 24, 2012

bnalley said:
Blondie, Thanks for the link to your tips. I will fill mine with the loc-tite epoxy and bb's also, using your waterbath tip.
setting the knot worries me though, Its my first time and I'm hoping to not screw it up!

Fill the handle to the approximate depth you want to set the knot at. It will self level. Then, after it has hardened for about an hour, scruff up the surface that has formed with some course sandpaper, or if you have access to a forstner bit that works really well. Then just put about a 1.5mm layer of epoxy down, and press the knot in. Hold it for about 5 minutes, and then leave it undisturbed for 24 hours. Piece of cake. I usually will go a little less on the epoxy than more and I never get glue coming out of the handle. This stuff has a holding strength of 3200PSI, and once cured is nearly as waterproof epoxy. Since brushes dry out between latherings, it does not need to be Marine grade epoxy. The main difference between the two is that Marine will apply and cure underwater, and can be permanently left submersed without fear of the bond eventually failing.

bnalley · May 24, 2012

Thanks, Do you have any suggestions on how deep to set the knot?

Blondie · May 24, 2012

bnalley said:
Thanks, Do you have any suggestions on how deep to set the knot?

Generally speaking, the fatter the knot, the higher the loft it can handle. Finest tends to have soft tips, with stiff hair shafts. So you end up with a knot with considerable backbone. I like my 20 or 22MM knots set around 48-50. I just set a 24MM fan tgn finest, and overshot with my measurement, and ended up at 52, and it was still nice and firm, not too floppy. Once you get the knot from TGN, and you feel it, you will have a better idea. You can test set it without the adhesive and get a pretty good idea where you will end up after setting it.

hig789 · May 25, 2012

Very nice handle. That bottom looks nice I think. I wouldn't sand the discoloring off. I would recommend a Finest too @ 48-50mm.

bnalley · May 25, 2012

hig789 said:
Very nice handle. That bottom looks nice I think. I wouldn't sand the discoloring off. I would recommend a Finest too @ 48-50mm.

I don't think I could sand it off if I wanted to. I put it on my slow speed grinder with cloth wheel and Blue plastic buffing compound (I use it for restoring straights mainly, it works wonders on crusty old blades and scales) and buffed the heck out of it. It shines like a new penny now, but it's still that buttery color. Even when you look down in the inside. I think it may be a deep discoloration. It's growing on me though, kinda makes it look more vintage.

Made it myself from scavenged parts a few years ago when I couldn't find one comercially that had low enough RPM's. I use it for buffing out blades and scales before I send them off to the honemeister. Worked well for cleaning up the plastic brush handle.

prsman23 · May 25, 2012

Now that it's super shiny lets see the pics!

Blondie · May 25, 2012

bnalley said:
I don't think I could sand it off if I wanted to. I put it on my slow speed grinder with cloth wheel and Blue plastic buffing compound (I use it for restoring straights mainly, it works wonders on crusty old blades and scales) and buffed the heck out of it. It shines like a new penny now, but it's still that buttery color. Even when you look down in the inside. I think it may be a deep discoloration. It's growing on me though, kinda makes it look more vintage.
View attachment 246253
Made it myself from scavenged parts a few years ago when I couldn't find one comercially that had low enough RPM's. I use it for buffing out blades and scales before I send them off to the honemeister. Worked well for cleaning up the plastic brush handle.

I think that may have been the original color if it is all the way through. Or it may be just the natural aging process of the plastic. Many handles have passed through my den of a vintage nature, and none of them are stark white. And yeah, PICS!

hig789 · May 25, 2012

Very nice buffer. That's the same setup I use. And yes blue works wonders on plastics.

It's got a wheel on both sides now.

bnalley · May 25, 2012

The last pic in my origional post is after buffing. It's the only post-buff pic that the flash reflecting off of the shiny handle didn't ruin. I have a silvertip knot on the way, and I will put up pics of the epoxy/bb's filling of the handle, knot setting, and finished brush as those steps happen.
thanks,
Brett

MeanGene · May 25, 2012

Nice job! I have the same handle on my bench and I haven't had a chance to bore out the old knot or work on cleaning it up. I have cut off the old boar hair and that's it. That's sweet, can't wait to see your finished pics.

bnalley · May 30, 2012

I gathered my odds and ends and the 20mm silvertip knot has arrived.

I am using a .50 cal. round ball (its a lead bulllet for a .50 caliber blackpowder rifle for those that might not be familiar) for added weight inside the handle.

Here it is in a water bath with the tube of epoxy curing inside. The tube only filled it a little more than halfway, so it's back to the hardware store for me. Story of my life.....back to the hardware store! :laugh: