I don't have a lathe anymore nor the space in my apartment to have one, so I'm looking for someone to possibly make a couple handles for me. I'd like a Simpson Keyhole style (in lacewood or Sycamore) for one and one like this one in white oak. I prefer to set my own knots (this seller really buggered these up). As I said just an unfinished handle with no knot. PM me if you're interested.
The black walnut and olive wood one has a wipe on poly the two others have a pure tung oil finish. Then the next two that I posted are Gaboon ebony with a mystery chunk of burl and the one with the knot is Gaboon Ebony and maple with a boar knot. Those both have CA finish.
Sometimes I have a picture either mental or actual photo that I use as a guide. But most of the time I just start turning and see where things go. Even when I have a picture things tend to turn out the way the wood wants more than the way I want.
For sure. Why fight it. Cool lizard by the way. Bearded Dragon right. We have 2 Bearded dragons, 4 Leopard geckos, and 3 Salamanders.
I have been really wanting to start experimenting and making some brush handles etc. I’ve never done it before and have no idea where to start. Anyone shed some insight on the basic equipment I’d need to get started? I’m sure there is some $$$ needed to start up this hobby but please help me out, I can’t seem to kick the itch of figuring this out
I'm no expert, ok? I'm tossing this out due to a small amount of experience "carving" wood and exposure to some other woodworking! I'm thinking most "brush handle" makers are turning them on a wood lathe, so you would need to come up with that. You can come up with lathes from small ones with smaller prices to "BIG" ones with corresponding prices. Then the turning tools you need/want to do your work with. I'm thinking this could turn into a place to put your money much like collecting shaving accouterments can. This is probably a good and cheap is not the same thing kind of hobby. Then you can carve a handle. It'd be harder, I'm thinking, to learn, but doable. Again tools for this are not cheap. This I know from first-hand experience. Good and cheap are not in the same sentence with this either. Give it a shot! You never know what'll turn out to be.
First, get eye protection. Get a full face mask if you’ll be using a lathe. I’m a little on the low rent side. I got my Harbor Freight lathe, 8 decent chisels, a bunch of blanks, a ton of sandpaper, a Craftsman electric hollow grinder, a whole bunch of pen making tools and parts, and some miscellaneous items off craigslist for about the new price of the (cheap) lathe. So buying used is a possibility. I already had a carpenter grade table saw, a mini band saw, a basic bench sander, a small drill press and Forstner bits, and miscellaneous useful woodshop hand tools including hones. I turn outdoors in good weather, so I don’t need a dedicated space and a wood dust collector. I have other hobbies to pursue during the bad weather. You could easily get started making handles by carving and/or by using a small drill press with sanding drums for shaping. So you could get started with just a drill press and some Forstner bits. Plus an appropriate saw if you make your own blanks. Starting with softwoods will give you some experience about how your tools work. I used my local library’s catalogue of woodturning books extensively when I started out. My big purchases have been a four-jaw chuck and, especially, Beall internal expanding collets. As well as protecting your eyesight, be sure to hang on to all your fingers. If you’ve never had a woodshop class, take one. For the safety instruction, if nothing else.
Many brick and mortar stores that sell lathes and other wood working supplies offer classes where you can turn a bowl, pen or other small project. This is an excellent way to get your feet wet. You'll get the safety tips and a feel for the tools. Woodcraft and Rockler are good example of this type of store. Many areas have wood working clubs/guilds that have classes. These would be another great resource.
Thank you all for the input.....I'm going to start looking around for some classes and may come back to get opinions on Lathes and tools before I purchase anything.
My mother and Mother in law both wanted makeup brushes for Christmas. I couldn't find makeup brush knots on there own so I had my wife pick up two store bought brushes and I made handles for them. I probably could have used small shave brush knots but I think most makeup brush knots are much softer than shave knots. At least the few I have actually picked up. Anyway i think they turned out pretty good. The one on top is Tru-stone turquoise and the other is lava explosion 75 Boudoir blue Alumilite from exotic blanks.
I just finished this brush for a friend. I cast the blank with black linen, aluminum shavings and polyester resin. I had a CA finish on it but it just blended all the "grain" of the linen in and it looked to plain. I decided to sand it back to the raw material which has less shine but much more character. The knot is a Maggard's 28mm SHD bulb.
Thank you. It didn't destroy it so much as just blend it in enough that it was very hard to distinguish the folds in the linen material from the clear spots of resin. It's very interesting to look at in person either way. And now i can look at this one in person all I want. My friend liked it but I could tell it wasn't exactly what he wanted. So I'm making another one with a few changes to be more what he was hoping for. I was going to make a second one for myself anyways so they are just getting switch. He really likes the glassy finish of the CA. And wants a slightly higher loft.
