Request: Restoration tips

[JPDyson]

Gentlemen:

I'm quite inspired by some of the brush restorations I've seen around here, to the point of picking up a vintage Rubberset I intend to restore. I've seen a few brief descriptions of the general restoration process, but nothing in the vein of a "guide" one might expect (given the precedence set by the thorough guides provided for a lot of other things around here).

I get the general principles: Cut the hair down, drill out the knot, glue a new one in... but it would be helpful if an experienced brush restorer could offer a little more guidance.

For example, the process of drilling out the knot - I'm a little unclear as to how one could cleanly and effectively remove the knot with a drill. It seems to me that an ideal instrument might be a dremel tool, as you could easily rout the knot area with the grinding tip, but is that too aggressive?

And what the heck is this white stuff under the knot? It's like a densely packed chalk. Should it be totally removed?

How do you best determine the appropriate knot size and mounting depth? And what do you fill that hollowed-out handle with?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can offer.

 

[Schwert]

The diversity of old brushes really seems to proclude the sort of "only way" tutorial you seek.

There are a number of techniques to remove the hair...drilling seems to work for many but the dremel tool bits and cutters have also been used by some. Sometimes even just pliers and tugging has been the technique....anything that works is the right way.

The white chalk...so far I have not encountered a brush with this stuff, but another fellow recently posted a sadly broken brush that was stuffed with the chalk. Several posters stated they would have removed that junk and filled with epoxy (or epoxy/cork).

Almost every restore has a degree of uniqueness....this is part of the joy. Use whatever techniques, tools and artistic eye you have to bring one of these old gems back to life.

 

[EFaden]

The diversity of old brushes really seems to proclude the sort of "only way" tutorial you seek.

There are a number of techniques to remove the hair...drilling seems to work for many but the dremel tool bits and cutters have also been used by some. Sometimes even just pliers and tugging has been the technique....anything that works is the right way.

The white chalk...so far I have not encountered a brush with this stuff, but another fellow recently posted a sadly broken brush that was stuffed with the chalk. Several posters stated they would have removed that junk and filled with epoxy (or epoxy/cork).

Almost every restore has a degree of uniqueness....this is part of the joy. Use whatever techniques, tools and artistic eye you have to bring one of these old gems back to life.

i have seen a couple with the chalk. It doesn't seem terribly structural and usually comes out easily... as powder... I usually remove it all and refill the whole handle with epoxy, cork, etc...