[CAUT] RE : key bushings

[Jeff Tanner]

On Nov 6, 2006, at 11:36 AM, Ron Nossaman wrote:

> Just the cheap disposable craft brushes, a couple of mm in  
> diameter, a couple of dozen in a package. Most are plastic handles  
> now, but you can still find them with natural bristles and metal  
> ferrels.

I get them at Harbor Freight (we are fortunate to have one here).   
They are available in packs of 36, with metal handles and with either  
plastic or hair bristles.  Here are the plastic ones (which work just  
fine for gluing):

  http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do? 
itemid=41338&CategoryName=&SubCategoryName=

Catch em on sale from time to time for about $3, I think.  The 1/2"  
size is about the width of the cloth, but the bristles are too long  
for rebushing work, so I trim them and I think I've even thinned out  
the bristles some.  They are also available in a packet of assorted  
sizes.  I've also seen them, with shorter handles, hanging on the end  
of an aisle at Hobby Lobby.  I tend to put the glue directly on the  
cloth only when I have one or two to repair.  (for that I use the  
wooden coffee stirrers I find around various and sundry coffee makers  
in offices here at the school -- not $tarbuck$) For a full set, that  
gets messy.  I hate messy.

I agree with whoever said there isn't a "best" method.  Just one that  
works for you.  I have read the Spurlock method, but must admit, I've  
not used his bushing cauls.  The method though, is basically the same  
as the old fashioned or traditional way, with a "twist".  You still  
have to gauge the depth in the hole and feel confident that  
regardless of how tightly you hold the cloth, the caul isn't pulling  
it too deep or that you've left it too shallow.  I've tried removing  
the caul to check and see, but that always winds up back at start  
over except that the second time is more messy and you've probably  
now gotten glue on the wrong side of the cloth so you cut it off and  
do it all over again.

I use the Spurlock sizing cauls, which I think are essential, and  
then Bushmaster with brass cauls.  I don't do rebushing often enough  
to remember what tricks I developed last time, so the Bushmaster  
makes it more simple and consistent for me.  I'm more confident of  
the depth in the mortise with Bushmaster, but can't imagine how one  
could put the glue directly on the cloth without keeping the  
Bushmaster tool clogged up with glue and getting glue on the wrong  
side of the bushing cloth all the time.  Also, I don't like trimming  
the cloth until the glue is dry for the same reason, so one more  
reason I like the Bushmaster.  And yes, you definitely reduce waste  
by doing sharps separately.  You can also reuse the waste from  
between the natural heads in either the sharps or balance mortise,  
but there is more waste than with traditional style methods.

I have given hide glue an honest effort but find it way too difficult  
to control the application and it gets messy for me.  If I did it  
more regularly, I might change my mind.  I just use basic Elmer's  
white glue.  It's cheap, easy to work with, it sticks, and it removes  
easily with steam.  I remove bushings with the electric bushing  
remover and water in a hypo oiler.  Presoak with wallpaper remover  
solution if they're stubborn.

All that said, I'm probably looking at doing a bunch of rebushing  
jobs over the next couple years, so we'll see what further develops.



Jeff Tanner, RPT
University of South Carolina



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