What is the rule of thumb for sizing a knot to a brush handle? I read somewhere on here that you don't want to size a 24mm knot to a 24mm brush because the knots usually run a tad bigger (unless you plan on having to bore it out).
Rule of thumb for knot diameter?
- Thread starter Big Jay
- Start date
The knots usually run a bit big. Are you making the handle or is it a restore? If you are makin the handle I would buy the knot fist then turn the handle. If you are doing a restore I would remove the knot and measure the hole and buy the a knot alittle smaller than the hole. Say your hole is 23mm I would buy a 22mm unless you want to open the hole up to fit a 24mm which would probably end up at a 25mm hole. Hope this helps.
- Thread starter
- #3
It's actually a restore. Every-Ready 200 Black/Butterscotch. So I guess I would have to use the latter approach. Pics will be coming shortly!
The hole required is usually a little larger than the knot size. If you are going with a short loft and set the knot deep than the hole would be even larger. What size hole do you have now?
As a rule of thumb, have a 1mm difference.
Here is a good example. I use a 7/8 in (22.23mm) bit for a 22mm knot. Then I use a dremel to open it until the knot fits how I like. So 1mm over is about right
What do you use to fill in the gap, I have a 23mm knot and a 24mm opening in a handle, how do I center the knot? It looks like more than 1mm difference?
If its only a mm I wouldn't worry about it. Epoxy will fill it in when you set the knot. This might not be the correct answer but I have never had a problem.
How OCDish do you want to be about it ??? 
To me it's a mix of loft and density.
See my post here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/200713-Finally-another-butterscotch-local-find
Specifically post #5....
Either that, or just go for it
To me it's a mix of loft and density.
See my post here:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/200713-Finally-another-butterscotch-local-find
Specifically post #5....
Either that, or just go for it
I agree. Just go for it!!
I never measure these things exactly. I clean out the bore to a size that will fit fairly close but purposely small, measured with a ruler. I then size the bore to the knot by carefully removing material a little at a time and fitting by trial and error. So a big +1 to everybody who says go for it!
- Thread starter
- #12
Ok couple updates. I drilled the old hair out of the handle. Came out amazing. I drilled through the rubber until i started to hit a bit of wood(?). This is a bakelite ER200. Do these things have a wood plug in them? Way I see it, I am no where near as deep as i want to be in order to get the appropriate loft. At least the hair is out and the handle was not damaged in the process.
Hole diameter seems to be a touch above 22mm. I am going to shave it out a tad with a dremel to get it to an even 23mm.
Back to the wood...I was going to use it as a base for the new knot. How far down does the wood plug in these ER's generally go? I don't want to drill too far and hit the plastic.
Hole diameter seems to be a touch above 22mm. I am going to shave it out a tad with a dremel to get it to an even 23mm.
Back to the wood...I was going to use it as a base for the new knot. How far down does the wood plug in these ER's generally go? I don't want to drill too far and hit the plastic.
IMHO, drill as deep as you need to. If you break through the shelf, it should be fine, epoxy can fill the void or you can add some weight to the handle by filling material in. Sounds like a 22mm knot can fit perfectly. Or, you could widen the hole a little and shoot for a bigger knot.
Keep on drilling there is a void under that shelf go easy though you dont want to hit the bottom of the handle. Either use a cork or similar to make a new shelf or you can fill the whole bottom of the handle with epoxy to add weight and stability. I like to fill mine with epoxy.
