Never-Shed brush brand reknotting problem

What to do about this situation?? I finally took the knot out of this really old brush to put in a new knot and right in the middle of it is this metal screw that is covered in this super-hard material. I can't figure out what to do unless I make a hole in the bottom of my knot so that the knot base will rest on the floor of this brush head. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

If the join is solid, clip it with an end nipper.

Got a dremel?

(01-10-2022, 04:57 AM)Chappy Wrote: Got a dremel?

Yes, I just wasn't sure that I have anything strong enough to take care of the screw in such a small space, but very open to suggestions. Thanks

(01-10-2022, 03:12 AM)chazt Wrote: If the join is solid, clip it with an end nipper.

Good idea, but I don't think that I have anything like that to get in such a small space?

I'm thinking the cylindrical grinding stone should work but you will have to be real careful not to scar up the inside too much.

I'd grind it out very carefully. Dremel is probably what many would use, but I get high anxiety when I stick a Dremel in a handle socket.

I have a Baldor, bench-top dental lathe. I think I'd try using it. But that doesn't do you much good.

If I were using a Dremel, I'd see if I could figure out a way to mount it to a fixture so I could concentrate on holding/manipuating the brush handle. That just feels more secure and better controlled to me than holding a spinning Dremel.

(01-10-2022, 03:32 PM)ChiefBroom Wrote: I'd grind it out very carefully. Dremel is probably what many would use, but I get high anxiety when I stick a Dremel in a handle socket.

I have a Baldor, bench-top dental lathe. I think I'd try using it. But that doesn't do you much good.

If I were using a Dremel, I'd see if I could figure out a way to mount it to a fixture so I could concentrate on holding/manipuating the brush handle. That just feels more secure and better controlled to me than holding a spinning Dremel.

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What type of Dremel tool would be strong/hard enough to grind down that screw? Thanks

(01-11-2022, 07:37 AM)cpool222 Wrote: What type of Dremel tool would be strong/hard enough to grind down that screw?  Thanks

I've never done anything quite like that with a Dremel, so I'm not sure. Just doing a quick search, I found these, which look like they might work:

https://www.toolots.com/hardmetal-burrs-...wsEALw_wcB

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tnpla/0...lsrc=aw.ds

Whatever I chose to try, I'd probably test it first on a similarly sized nail head protruding from something easy to access that I didn't care about damaging. 

And wear eye protection!

Thanks Ken, for sharing your experience and expertise 

(01-11-2022, 09:11 AM)chazt Wrote: Thanks Ken, for sharing your experience and expertise 

More like inexperience and intuition based on past bad experience.

Again, I'd use my dental lathe so I could keep the rotating axis stationary and hold/control the handle. My concerns with regared to holding the Dremel are that it might be hard to control 1) deflection of the bit or 2) compensatory reaction if the bit decides it wants to take a bigger bite than it should. There's not much margin for error within the confines of a knot hole. For me it would be really important to dial as much in as possible (and get a feel for it) through practice on an exposed nail-head (or whatever might be most like what is protruding inside the hole) before diving into the real project.

It's a very, very cool handle!

By all means, keep us posted as you go or when done.  Pics!  I did a similar project last year with an old brush nub.  It was fun to do.

If you don't come up with the right tools and/or decide you don't want to risk damaging the handle with what you have, I'd be glad to help. I'm probably set up better for it. And I'd be pleased to have e a close-hand look at your brush. I have a soft spot for those guys. I have one or two, but I haven't wanted to compromise them for the sake of getting a look under the knot.

I'd say PM me, but I've let my box stay full here for some time.

(01-14-2022, 05:13 PM)ChiefBroom Wrote: If you don't come up with the right tools and/or decide you don't want to risk damaging the handle with what you have, I'd be glad to help. I'm probably set up better for it. And I'd be pleased to have e a close-hand look at your brush. I have a soft spot for those guys. I have one or two, but I haven't wanted to compromise them for the sake of getting a look under the knot.

I'd say PM me, but I've let my box stay full here for some time.

Thanks for the offer... I do appreciate it, but I was able to get some grinding bits for my Dremel that ground down that middle screw to the point that I'm going to be able to put a small washer to fit around it and leave a flat surface for me to be able to put in my knot.  Before I do so, however, I want to figure out what to do with the handle.  Old pictures of these Never-Shed brush handles show that they are painted black.  The black paint has been worn off this one, but it left the black coloration on the handle except for those rings where all the black was worn off.  I'm not a woodworker, so I'm hoping to get some suggestions of options to take off the black color and then what to coat the wood with to make it waterproof.  Other options will be heard as well.  Thanks for any ideas.

You could leave the patina on the wood part of the handle.  Clean it up ever so gently and protect it with marine-grade varnish.  Not sure what to do with the metal bit, but again a gentle cleaning might be the best way to go.

(02-06-2022, 05:09 AM)Rufus Wrote: You could leave the patina on the wood part of the handle.  Clean it up ever so gently and protect it with marine-grade varnish.  Not sure what to do with the metal bit, but again a gentle cleaning might be the best way to go.

Interesting... you're the second person to suggest leaving it as is.  I'm warming up to that idea myself... I'll decide soon and put pics here for those who are interested.  I'd love to know how old this one is but don't know where to look.

What  did you decide to do? 

You need to push the metal part of that handle up as far as it will go and epoxy it in place from the inside. The bottom of that metal piece was originally rolled over on the wood to hold it in place but the wood has shrunk and the knot is no longer there. Decide on the knot loft you want to end up with and fill the hole with something to bring the knot up to the desired height. I don't recommend steel or brass or copper for corrosion purposes, I would use plastic and rough it up with sandpaper for a mechanical grip for the glue you use.

(01-09-2022, 09:36 PM)cpool222 Wrote: What to do about this situation?? I finally took the knot out of this really old brush to put in a new knot and right in the middle of it is this metal screw that is covered in this super-hard material. I can't figure out what to do unless I make a hole in the bottom of my knot so that the knot base will rest on the floor of this brush head. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks

I would center punch it and drill it out, carefully.

(01-10-2022, 03:12 AM)chazt Wrote: If the join is solid, clip it with an end nipper.

Would have to be very small nippers.