Making an Aluminum Brush Handle

[twhite]

No worries. Liking the handle, looks a good size. Im assuming we have the same size hands though haha.

Well my hands are on the large size. I wear XL gloves and they are snug.

 

[Darkbulb]

Here are some pictures of the handles fresh out of the machine. As I do not have access to a Lathe or a 4 axis Mill. I made this on a 3 axis mill. The finish is rough looking but will smooth out quickly with some 220. I will be making the bore on these 3 at 24mm and depth of 15 mm. That way I can plat with the depth to try to dial in the knot to my liking. I will be heading back to work tomorrow and put the bores in. Then have fun sanding and polishing next week after work.

Really like both the look and size...well done!

 

[twhite]

Really like both the look and size...well done!

Yes the gentle curve in from round to hexagonal to round again, gives me a nice feeling in my hand. Time will tell if I actually like using them to lather with.

Tom

 

[Darkbulb]

Yes the gentle curve in from round to hexagonal to round again, gives me a nice feeling in my hand. Time will tell if I actually like using them to lather with.

Tom

Well should you down the road decide you hate one of them...lemme know

 

[wazza]

Well my hands are on the large size. I wear XL gloves and they are snug.

Well that brush looks massive

 

[twhite]

Well that brush looks massive

1-1/4" diameter and 2-1/2' long.

 

[wazza]

1-1/4" diameter and 2-1/2' long.

Just joking, I've got baby hands thats all.

 

[twhite]

I put together a list of places to buy knots.

http://www.atgshaving.com/threads/places-to-buy-brush-knots.2345/

My personal favorite is a finest knot. I mostly face lather and find it has plenty of back bone for that, if I dont use the finest then its a boar. I've got a black badger knot on the way myself to try out.

Do you prefer a Bulb or Fan for your Finest?

 

[Mrchick]

@Mrchick it is flat on the aluminum ones.

I can't wait to see them!

Edit: oops, just did.
Looking nice!

 

[Mrchick]

i think they even look cool with the machining marks.

 

[wazza]

Do you prefer a Bulb or Fan for your Finest?

I prefer the bulb shape. I've always thought that a fan seems more appropiate for face lathering but still always go for a bulb.
Got my boars for a fan shape anyways.

 

[twhite]

I prefer the bulb shape. I've always thought that a fan seems more appropiate for face lathering but still always go for a bulb.
Got my boars for a fan shape anyways.

I was looking at your links to knots. I believe I will try TGN knots in these. Very nice to have a quick reference to such things on the forum.

 

[wazza]

I was looking at your links to knots. I believe I will try TGN knots in these. Very nice to have a quick reference to such things on the forum.

Glad it helped. Thats why I though it would be good to have in one place, as when I first started looking at knots it was a bit of a minefield googling it.
I got my finest knot from TGN, it my favorite badger brush.

This one.

 

[twhite]

Here are a few pictures of it polished up. I need to get some 600 and 1000 grit to really get it nice.

 

[wazza]

Here are a few pictures of it polished up. I need to get some 600 and 1000 grit to really get it nice.

Thats looking great, nice work.