I have a few questions for the 400 Club. 1. should the colar holding the knot unscrew from the handle? 2. what is the best way to get the mirror finish back on the handle? I've recently acquired a Rubberset 400. it looks like some fool in the past has cut some of the bristles off on the outside of the knot. :-( Still the brush is in overall pretty fair condition.
Yes, it unscrews. On both of mine I used a blow torch to heat the collar up (doesn't take much) and it unscrewed very easily. They are often gunked up. 2. Sandpaper and polishing. I didn't bother going for a mirror finish. I scrubbed mine with MAAS and left some of the patina.
Great brush! I didn't use sandpaper on mine, just Bartenders Helper and Flitz. I used a jar opening strap to get the top off after a good soaking. Their are numerous posts on the process, and it's fun!
Not going to pay ebay prices I kept telling myself. I waited, and it came to me! It's a shedder, so I'm going to replace the knot. I'm going to have to think about it. I do like a boar, and that would be "correct". On the otherhand, those synthetic knots are pretty good. I see the diameter of the opening is 25mm, but made for a 24mm. I found original specs for the #3 & #4 loft. Mine is an unnumbered. Anyone know about them?
Way to go. That is my plan is to find one in the wild. I like that you plan to keep the patina. It is a real great look. Workhorse like. Tom Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
After a Google search it seems that you @clint64 are The Man when it comes to restoring 400's to their former glory, or better. Pulling this rabbit Rubberset out of the dusty past is this the thread about your #1 restore? I'm going to go through the previous 469 post & keep kicking the server searching for information. My goal is to find either a boar knot as close to original style & size, or a synthetic that comes close to duplicating the original look. If anyone has info feel free to educate me. Seems I'm looking for a 24mm X 61 - 65mm Fan (not bulb) knot. This is my first reknot so I ask questions like to duplicate the tight fan shape do I need a higher loft set deeper to hold the tight fan shape? Larry at Whippeddog is sold out of the closest desirable knot I've found so far. Golden Nib has one in 27mm, can the black plastic cup be removed without damaging the knot, and what size will it be without the cup? I have an Omega 98 Pro brush & like the performance. Has anyone used this knot in a 400 handle? It's a 27 X 65mm knot, again too large? From my research, copy/pasted from OSSB Loft: Un-numbered: <pending> Size 3: 61mm Size 4: 65mm Ferrule: Height: 24mm Knot hole diameter: 25mm at the top, 27mm inside Edit; Data mining reveals post #184 @Boojum1 selected to use the knot from an Omega 10066. Specs - 24x56mm boar. This gives very true to the original look. Edit/2; post #196 It was all I could do to get it to 27mm for an Omega Boar from my Pro 49. A 24mm will fit without any hassle at all. - Clint64 Edit/3; post #199 You can get it around 15mm deep in the collar - Clint64 Edit/4; post #200 A depth of 15 mm should work leaving 3-4 mm for the plug - ObiDon Edit/5 post #245 Kydex material for making plug/shelf to support loft. - root_console end Edit/ 469 posts revealed good info!
One option is to buy an inexpensive Omega boar brush and take the knot out of there. I did that for one of mine and love it.
Yes, sir. After reading the thread from post#1 to the end I see at least two restores did just that. I do enjoy an Omega boar brush so that may be my choice. After looking at all the shiny finishes I'm teetering about leaving the patina.
@ Ryx it seems you have a nice project on your hands. I will be happy to try answering any questions that you might have. Any knot with up to a 24mm plug will fit. The opening can be widened as needed up to a point. I think I just about pushed the limit getting the Omega Pro 49 knot in my 400 Unmarked. That is the reason, I suggested Mark @Boojum1 use the knot from the Omega 10066. This avoided altering the opening in any way. Plan on setting your knot no deeper than 15mm. I've done it a couple of mm deeper but that is about it. Any deeper and you will use the ability to unscrew the collar. Here is a pic of my 400 Unmarked next to Vince's original 400 #4. I think it turned out great. Given the amount the opening had to be altered, I would not do mine again the same way today.
Very subtle difference. The original knots appear to be untrimmed. All bristles are the same length. Yours has a slight bulb shape like most current fan type knots. I know Sherwinn Williams got out of the brush business so I'm only trying for as close to the NOS look and feel as economically possible. As to altering the cap - I like restoring antiques and vintage item. Keeping all the metal is my plan. If I had a dozen then I'd go HotRod on one. Not going to file the throat bigger, I'll make the knot fit. I can see a couple strap wrenches on my horizon. I'm impatient to get the old knot out, but don't dare use pipe wrench or channel locks.
The removable ring has an inside diameter opening of near 25mm. The original knot is listed as 24mm. Some folks have altered, widened the opening to accommodate up to a 27mm knot. A very informative documentation on the 400 found HERE. Thanks to @bladeshark
Not thicker, but longer. The original knots are listed as 24mm diameter. The lofts as; Size 3: 61mm , Size 4: 65mm. The "unnumbered" with no loft listed. The unnumbered may have been assembled from remaining components when production ended.
I helped a friend set an Envy White in his 400 #3 this past weekend. Given the fact that Envy knots are oversized he went with a 22mm. Now Wade has the complete trilogy, #3, #4 and Unmarked.
