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The Craftmans Shop => New from Old => Topic started by: Joules on December 14, 2016, 10:23:18 AM

Title: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Joules on December 14, 2016, 10:23:18 AM
I use quite a few in the shop here.  The other day I turned some horrible cast iron and pretty much contaminated every brush within reach trying to keep the machine clean...  I failed and needed to service the lathe, I was about to throw out all my brushes when I hit on an idea.  Drop them in the ultrasonic cleaner with hot water and washing up liquid.  Press and swirl the brushes a few times to open them up and let all the accumulations drop out.   Overnight the brushes on the stove ( or radiator) they are clean and good as new.

I won't leave it as long between cleaning brushes now I know this works.   The ultrasonic cleaner is a real cheap <£20.00 job I have had for years and a handy little device for small items I work on.  Maybe it's time I bought a better one ?

Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Will_D on December 17, 2016, 07:20:47 PM
Drop in a magnet at the bottom of the tank - even better
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: awemawson on December 18, 2016, 02:49:34 AM
When machining cast iron, hold the nozzle of the shop vac in the line of fire and you'll collect a good 90% of the black dust if the vac is any good.
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Biggles on December 19, 2016, 12:36:26 PM
The shop vacuum is always a good idea.
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: A WELLWISHER on December 22, 2016, 04:34:54 AM
Hi chaps, the workshop vacuum is indeed a good idea, there is an occupational disease called Turners Lung caused by inhaling cast iron dust, I have only ever personally known 4 people who acquired it ( in the 54 years that I was a turner) but none of them said that coughing up rust was fun. Of course in modern times one has the benefit of high pressure coolant, swarf conveyers & high powered overhead  fume extractors but not generally in your shed or man cave.
A.Wellwisher
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Biggles on December 24, 2016, 11:47:59 AM
I have a filter in my Vacuum!  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Bee on January 01, 2017, 01:59:08 PM
If that vac is not a "wet and dry" with the motor outside but just a regular household one make sure the bag is well filled with wood shavings and general dog hairs first to act as a pre-filter for the bag and motor cooling air. :thumbup:
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: Pete. on January 01, 2017, 02:30:45 PM
Shop vac is what I use too, during and after. I have a twin-motor numatic I got off eBay for £50, does wet and dry.
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: krv3000 on January 01, 2017, 03:28:23 PM
I get plenty of brushes from work they by pant brushes use them ones then bin them I just fetch them home and clean them 
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: SwarfnStuff on January 01, 2017, 11:33:18 PM
Mostly, I use throw away sample pot paint brushes got em free from local paint shop. But always clean up before leaving the playpen for the day with my $50 el-cheapo vac. Sadly, after 5 years or so I can smell hot wire insulation each time I use it now, just waiting for the blue magic smoke to appear.
  Incidentally, I made a small cyclonic separator in line and it works fine. Bag in vac gets very little stuff unless I have turned plastic. That seems to float in the air stream rather well - light mass, high surface area I guess.
John B
Title: Re: Swarf Brushes
Post by: WeldingRod on September 03, 2018, 01:27:30 PM
Yeah, my cyclone rocks too, but strings and napkins give it heartburn.  Or maybe rotor burn ;-)

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