Project: Interchangeable knot

[Landri]

A couple of weeks ago I found a nice piece of avocado wood on my backyard (we got a couple of avocado trees and this piece was a branch that we cut).
I started to play with the idea of making something out of it, and a brush sound really tempting. I would be able to make 2 brushes out of this piece of wood; but then I decide to do something crazy: build a brush with interchangeable knot.
This is my progress so far. I'll keep sanding (220, 500, 600, 1000, 1200) till the surface is nice and smooth. Then I'll drill the holes for the knot and the screw.
I don't know what to do for a finish, something that keeps water away... tung oil is almost impossible to get here, so I'll need some ideas.
The pictures so far:

Thanks for watching and the suggestions!!

 

[GDCarrington]

How hard and or dense is that wood (hard, medium or soft)?

 

[shaverjoe]

I have thought about doing something like this but instead of using a screw, I was considering using magnets. Epoxy one magnet into the bottom of the knot hole and epoxy a magnet of opposite polarity on the the bottom of the corresponding knots.

 

[Omak]

Interesting!

 

[Landri]

How hard and or dense is that wood (hard, medium or soft)?

I got no idea... is wood.. harder than some, softer than others

I have thought about doing something like this but instead of using a screw, I was considering using magnets. Epoxy one magnet into the bottom of the knot hole and epoxy a magnet of opposite polarity on the the bottom of the corresponding knots.

I choose the screw because I think I'll need a good grip between the 2 pieces. But the magnet idea sounds good, how do you plan to do it?

 

[shaverjoe]

But the magnet idea sounds good, how do you plan to do it?

I would just epoxy one magnet in place in the bottom of the knot hole being sure to cut the knot hole deep enough to house the magnet and achieve the desired loft, then epoxy a magnet with opposite polarity onto the bottom of the knot itself. If the magnets were strong enough, the knot should stay in place.

 

[Landri]

I would just epoxy one magnet in place in the bottom of the knot hole being sure to cut the knot hole deep enough to house the magnet and achieve the desired loft, then epoxy a magnet with opposite polarity onto the bottom of the knot itself. If the magnets were strong enough, the knot should stay in place.

Well... that's a pretty good idea!!!
I wander why I never get the good ideas?

 

[shaverjoe]

Well... that's a pretty good idea!!!
I wander why I never get the good ideas?

I think your idea is great!

 

[sychodelix]

Either would work great! Just beware of some rare earth magnets. Some of those are strong enough to break the wood or epoxy before releasing.

 

[Landri]

I'm almost done!! (I really need some power tools, carving with just a knife and sand paper sucks)
For the finish I think I'll use some varnish (I think the name in english is vitrifier varnish, but I'm not sure); I'll just soaking the wood pieces for a couples of hours, wipe the rest let it dry and then hit them with sand paper.
Now, about the knot: I've been looking at Whipped Dog and TGN, they knots seems to do the trick for me; but I'll also like to get a horse or a mixed (badger/boar, badger/horse or boar/horse) knot. Any idea of where I can get those?
Thanks!
(pics when I get home tomorrow)

 

[Omak]

PC Woodcraft used to sell horse hair knots, I have a 24mm knot that isn't put into a brush yet from them

http://www.badgerbrush.net/catalog.php/badgerbrush/ct28692/Badger_Brush_Knots

Might be able to message them and purchase one

 

[Comet]

Try some rare earth magnets.....They should hold it. http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=32065&cat=3,42363,42348&ap=1

 

[Omak]

Try some rare earth magnets.....They should hold it. http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?p=32065&cat=3,42363,42348&ap=1

Either would work great! Just beware of some rare earth magnets. Some of those are strong enough to break the wood or epoxy before releasing.

^^ something to consider, I think a screw would work well with nuts or a tapped sleeve would work better.

 

[MeanGene]

Alternatively, if the hole for the knot is the same diameter as the glued hair, I've had great success setting the knot where I want and the hair naturally pushes against it, giving it a tight fit. I can always get the entire knot out, put it in a different handle, or simply adjust the knot up and down in the handle. I've been doing this for months and never had issues with hair breakage or anything else hurting the knot.

Now, I've done this plastic/resin handles, never wood. Omak's ideas sound pretty good to me.

 

[JonM]

I can't link to a live auction but it looks like this actually exists.

 

[Landri]

I can't link to a live auction but it looks like this actually exists.

View attachment 274620

Great minds think a like?