I find the hardest thing about restoring a brush is getting the old knot out. I'm always scared I'm going to wreck the rim of the handle when doing this with a drill or dremmel. I'd be keen to hear your tips and techniques for doing this!
Share your tips for getting old knots out
- Thread starter kevinm
- Start date
I use either a twist drill at low speed in a hand drill or a gimlet to remove most of the old hair.
In this case I used a 1/8 gimlet. This worked quite well drilling into the center of the old hair to start working it out.
Once I have a bit of an opening in the old hair in the center of the old knot, I use my Murphy shop knife the triangular tapered butt of this knife is ideal to slowly wedge and scrape out the hair. Working round and round to push the old glue and hair towards the center.
Slow and careful.
In this case I used a 1/8 gimlet. This worked quite well drilling into the center of the old hair to start working it out.
Once I have a bit of an opening in the old hair in the center of the old knot, I use my Murphy shop knife the triangular tapered butt of this knife is ideal to slowly wedge and scrape out the hair. Working round and round to push the old glue and hair towards the center.
Slow and careful.
Small forstner bit, but make sure the handle is well secured and go real slow.
Another way is just wait for about 40 yrs, it will all just fall out, mine did
Another way is just wait for about 40 yrs, it will all just fall out, mine did
1. Assuming the handle can handle it , soak the brush in boiling water. Will soften some glues.
2. Tape around the knot hole so if you slip then you've got a layer of protection.
2a. Cut the old bristles down with scissors/knife etc as close to the top of the handle as you can.
3. If you're just using a standard drill bit then drill at an angle towards the edges of the bottom of the knot ( does that make sense ? ) rather than just straight down BUT make sure you don't angle too much and hit the edge of the knot hole with the drill.
4. Soak in hot water periodically ( again ), still softens some glues
5. Use whatever tools you have handy, pocket knife, corkscrew what ever will get the job done !
6. Whatever you use or do, just go slow, won't make it any easier or anything the faster you go !
2. Tape around the knot hole so if you slip then you've got a layer of protection.
2a. Cut the old bristles down with scissors/knife etc as close to the top of the handle as you can.
3. If you're just using a standard drill bit then drill at an angle towards the edges of the bottom of the knot ( does that make sense ? ) rather than just straight down BUT make sure you don't angle too much and hit the edge of the knot hole with the drill.
4. Soak in hot water periodically ( again ), still softens some glues
5. Use whatever tools you have handy, pocket knife, corkscrew what ever will get the job done !
6. Whatever you use or do, just go slow, won't make it any easier or anything the faster you go !
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+1 to the tape!
Cut off and dig out as much of the old hair as possible.Drill lots of 1/4" holes as close together as possible in the old epoxy. Use a small screwdriver and a small hammer to crack the glue between the drilled holes. Then clean out whatever is left.
This is the exact process I use and it works like a charm. As some of the guys above said, just take your time and things will turn out fine.
Use a drill press at slow speed.After the hair is cut down drill a 1/4" pilot in the center.Follow up with a 1/2" then use a 1/16" bit and drill a series of holes along the inside of the rim.Take a screwdriver or better yet a knife to chip the small pieces out.The inside will be rough still so smooth it out with a mini drum sander chucked in the press.It's pretty easy to sand the inside and is easy to control how much material is removed.You can also open the bore pretty easy as well if you use a stepped bit.
- Thread starter
- #10
Thanks all for these excellent tips. I might experiment with the forstner bit and the tape is a good idea. SLOW seems to be the key.
My standard tool kit for removing the old knot.
If the glue's really bad/hard/horrible then I'll use the electric drill with a standard drill bit.
If the glue's really bad/hard/horrible then I'll use the electric drill with a standard drill bit.
I highly recommend a dust mask for this process too...
The old adhesives and hairs as you drill or sand away are pretty nasty.
If you do not have a drum sander (Dremel) then a dowel wrapped with sand paper works quite well for both getting the hole perfectly cleaned out and to enlarge it if needed.
The old adhesives and hairs as you drill or sand away are pretty nasty.
If you do not have a drum sander (Dremel) then a dowel wrapped with sand paper works quite well for both getting the hole perfectly cleaned out and to enlarge it if needed.
+1 on the dust mask, and I also wear thin rubber gloves....
