Boiler Brush

[XxLT250RxX]

I am looking for a brush to clean a cannon I am currently building.  I am a little confused about the description I am running into when searching for boiler bush's.  Is the brush described below 1 1/8" diameter or 1 1/2" diameter?  Anyone familiar with these?

Boiler Brush, Single Spiral/Single Stem, Fill Type Bristle, Brush Length 4 In, Brush Dia 1 1/2 x 1 1/8 In, Bristle Color Black, Handle Type Twisted Wire, Handle Length 26 In, Handle Dia 0.2 In, Overall Length 30 In

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2XTD5

[Double D]

As I read that the brush is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 1/8 inches long.

[Ex 49'er]

Those bristles look like they might be kinda soft.

[XxLT250RxX]

As I read that the brush is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 1/8 inches long.

OK, then what does the part that says "Brush Length 4 In" mean?

[Ex 49'er]

If the Handle Length 26 In, Handle Dia 0.2 In, Overall Length 30 In , then the brush must be 4" long.
I think that the length of the bristles is 1 1/8". Email them and ask them to clarify.

[Cat Whisperer]

As I read that the brush is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 1/8 inches long.

agree

[Double D]

As I read that the brush is 1 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 1/8 inches long.

OK, then what does the part that says "Brush Length 4 In" mean?

Missed that....

[XxLT250RxX]

Email them and ask them to clarify

Now that I think about it I believe the brush to be tapered.  It does not appear to be tapered in the photo but it's the only thing that makes sense to me.  Large end 1 1/2 and small end 1 1/8 with a length of 4 inches.  What say you? 

I have emailed them.  It said it may take up to 2 days for a reply. 

[XxLT250RxX]

Missed that....

I missed it the first time too.  I was just about to order it until I read it again.  At first I thouhgt the dimensions was as you described.

[Rickk]

To make your life easier, assuming it is smoothbore and not rifled, maybe you don't need a brush at all. I never use one and my bores are sparkly clean. All I use is a bore swab made by gluing synthetic sheeps wool around the bottom 10 inches or so of an appropriate sized wooden dowel with "Barge Cement" (VERY waterproof). It gets wrapped over the end and a single copper nail holds the end closed. The nail dissapears into the wool and you won't even know it is there. Use water and Ballistol on the swab and you should be fine.

Someplace a couple years ago I posted pictures of the ones I made. Not only do they get used often, they sit outside in the rain alot. The Barge Cement is holding up 100%. If my posting has disappeared into the past, I can repost if if you wish. If you need a small amount of synthetic sheeps wool, I can send you some. Barge Cement can sometimes be found at ACE hardware stores. If it isn't in your local store, there are several online sources.

Rick

[Double D]

This one Rick? 

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,117010.0.html

Or this one?

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,104629.0.html

or this one?

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,84782.0.html

[Cannoneer]

All I use is a bore swab made by gluing synthetic sheeps wool around the bottom 10 inches or so of an appropriate sized wooden dowel with "Barge Cement" (VERY waterproof).

Thanks for the heads up on "Barge Cement", I had never heard of it before. I looked it up, and if people aren't getting paid for their testimonials then this stuff must be better than good. I used an automotive trim adhesive to glue the leather backing of some shearling wool to a wooden head that had been sealed with spar urethane and the results were less than stellar. I'm going to take a look around to see if I can get some of this rubber cement without having to mail order it.

[Terry C.]

automotive trim adhesive

3M Weatherstrip Adhesive?


Just as a heads-up, we use a lot of the 3M Weatherstrip Adhesive at work. So much so that we buy it in case lots. The last case we got was either a bad batch, or they've changed the formula.

It just isn't the same as before. It's lighter in color and has a thinner consistency, and doesn't hold nearly as well. We're about to reorder but if the next case is the same we're going to have to find another adhesive.

This is a shame, as we depend on the 3M and I'm not sure what will take its place.

The Barge Cement is a possibility we may have to explore. How well does it stick to neoprene?


BTW: We call the 3M "snot glue." 

[SHOOTALL]

The brush will fit a tube from 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 . Use it on a larger tube it won't clean it any smaller it might get stuck .

[Max Caliber]

I used to buy barge cement from Tandy Leather and the Leather Factory back when I was into making shoes but found that contact cement works just as good and is probably the same as barge cement. Like most things, the proper application is important to get good results.

Max

[Rickk]

I've never used barge cement on neoprene. I have no idea how well it would work, so you will have to try it to see.

On leather and wood and fabrics it is awesome.

It is a "contact cement", but it works way better than the stuff you would find at an office supply store. There may be some more heavy duty contact cements that work as well as it, but I stopped looking when I found it.

The solvent is a little bit unhealthy to breathe lots of, so use it in a ventilated area.

If you need alot of it, besides tubes it comes on quart cans.

the link I posted previously appears to not work, so here is an updated one for it http://www.eleatherworks.com/product.php?productid=16228&cat=0&page=1

The same supplier sells it in quarts as well.

Rick

[Double D]

My local Ace Hardware has Barge Cement.

[XxLT250RxX]

All I use is a bore swab made by gluing synthetic sheeps wool around the bottom 10 inches or so of an appropriate sized wooden dowel with "Barge Cement" (VERY waterproof).

If you need a small amount of synthetic sheeps wool, I can send you some.

Great info.  I will give it a try.  Thanks for the offer.  If I can't find synthetic wool locally I may take you up on it.

The brush will fit a tube from 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 . Use it on a larger tube it won't clean it any smaller it might get stuck .

 

I received a reply to my inquiry from Grainger about the brush.  I asked if the brush was tapered.  The reply stated that it did have a small taper.  I was not really convinced from their reply that this is or is not true.  SHOOTALL may have hit the nail on the head.

[Cannoneer]

3M Weatherstrip Adhesive?

 No, this stuff is called 4031 PRO, made for NAPA by some paint company. I've used this adhesive on other things and it works well, it's evidently just not working on the leather.

My local Ace Hardware has Barge Cement.

I went to my neighborhood Ace, and they had it on the shelf.

[SHOOTALL]

Xx , been a plumber for over 30 years and worked on a few boilers .
for the cement ya'll are looking for 3M makes it and it can be found at any place selling insulation