Brush Handle

Patterns Located in Full Size \ Pattern Section No. 1! •

(SPI^IISI by Joseph M. Herrmann of Timber Treasures

SUPPLIES;

Wood: Bocofe or wood of choice—one piece, 1-1/8"x 1-1/8" x 6-1/2" Tools: jointer; thickness planer; lathe with assorted chisels; awl; ruler; 1 /8" and 11 /64" twist drill bits; Phillips screwdriver; small bolt cutters; handheld electric drill; buffing system; sharp compass 1 quart Mason Jar with lid 2" brush

2-1/2" x No. 8 fine thread drywall screw

1 /2" Mini Drive Center*

#1 Morse Taper #155-6150*

#2 Morse Taper # 155-6250*

Assorted sanding discs and paper

Beeswax

Danish Oil

*Available at Craft Supplies, USA: 1-800-551-8876; www.woodfurnerscafdfog.com.

Introduction

I turn a lot of one-of-a-kind bowls from green wood. As part of the finishing process, I like to apply a liberal coat of lacquer and then immediately wipe off the excess material. The lacquer functions sort of like a sanding sealer. The problem that I have always had with using this procedure, however, is that now I have a brush to clean and then I have to deal with the used lacquer thinner.

I recently took a woodturning class at Craft Supplies in Provo, Utah, and they used a similar finishing process. But instead of having to clean the brush after each use, they just left it suspended in the lacquer. The suspended brush did not touch the bottom of the jar so the end of the brush did not curl. I really liked their system and decided to make a similar setup for myself. Here is my version.

The system consists of a shop-made, turned handle, a quart Mason jar with a lid, a 2" brush, and a 2-1/2" x No. 8 fine thread drywall screw. The handle of the brush is cut off and the remainder is attached to the turned handle with a screw through the lid of the Mason jar. When the lid is secured, the brush is suspended in the lacquer and the jar is sealed. This system would work well on any project—not just bowls—where a sanding sealer is applied. As a convenience, Craft Supplies sells a kit that includes a jar, lid, screw, brush, and a handle blank (#939-2300, Finish Jar Kit, $10.99), but you should be able to find all the necessary materials locally.

Any wood can be used for the turned handle. I chose Bocote, an exotic wood from Mexico; it's an attractive wood that looks a lot like snakeskin. I like turning it because I like the smell of the wood, it turns extremely well, and, best of all it sands very easily.

Creative Woodworks & Crafts September 8003 • 56

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1. Begin oy preparing a blank measuring 1-1/8" X 1-1/8" X 6-1/2". It is important that the end that will be placed at the headstock of the lathe be square. If it's not, the brush and the handle might not mate evenly and will look crooked. Mount the blank between centers on the lathe. I used a 1/2" spur center drive. It is an aftermarket tool that comes in handy when turning small objects. I purchased it from Craft Supplies in Provo, Utah. Turn the blank round, being careful to keep both ends at the same diameter, with no dip in the center. I used a large 1-1/2" roughing gouge to accomplish this.

Measure over 5/16" from the headstock end of the blank. This line will be the center point for the two half-beads that form the base detail.