Thread: Homemade brush

I have been frustrated by how small most of the brushes are. I have fairly large hands and wanted something that fit my paw a little better. The pictures are my first attempt at making my own brush. It was about as basic a project as you could have. I do not turn wood so I started with a dowl of wood from The Golden Nib. The knot is a 30mm silver tip badger also from The Golden Nib.

I actually liked the look and feel of the down so I scrapped my plans to do a little carving. I basically spent a lot of hours sanding. I drilled the hole for the knot using a 1 1/8 spade bit. A little rounding over of the edges was about the only other prep work. I did not apply any stain to the wood. I simply applied 3 coats of Minwax wipe-0n polyurethane with a light sanding with 600 grit between coats. I used marine epoxy to secure the knot.

I think the brush turned out great for a very functional, simplistic, long handled shaving brush. My only regret is that I put a little too much epoxy in the hole for the knot. The result doesn't show up much in the pictures, but there is a larger bead of epoxy visible around the base of the knot. I can live with that!

Anyway...just wanted to post the project to show you can make a brush without having to have access to a lathe or other woodworking tools.

That is really nice. I have been thinking about making my own brush and this design seems like a good place to start. Thanks for sharing!

I like the way the grain runs in that.

I really like it. It's simple, and straight forward. I like the grain of the wood too. The straight lines of the grain really lend them selves to the design.

Very nice work. I like the simpleness of the handle.

if it works, it works. looks good in my eyes.
How is the knot of golden nib??
Congratulations

I made a brush with a badger knot from Golden Nib last year. I've used it at least 100 times, and the hair just seems to keep getting better. The quality seems to be very good. I like it so much, I ordered a few more badger and boar knots from them to make more brushes. Their service is great, too.

Very nice! I've been experimenting and made a few brushes too. It's a lot of fun.

I love making things. I learn new skills, learn more from mistakes and (usually) end up with exactly what I want. I borrowed time on my brother-in-law's lathe to turn the walnut and purchased knots from Golden Nib. Simple CA finish. I use it daily and it is perfect for me.

Hell even my Omega 599 silvertip has bloomed beyond my expectations! With specs of 48 loft and 30 base at 18 knot it's not that bad. I'll have to take into account other boars with loft height that served me well and decide an appropriate height. Then take into account the way badger blooms at ginourmous rate.

Andrea