Small Parts Cleaning Brush

[morsa]

Using old mascara brushes and discarded razor handles, I made these handy tools for the workshop. They are useful for cleaning the interior of small parts.







Regards.

[sossol]

How do you clean the mascara from the brushes?


Neil

[rebuilder1954]

Great point, sossol. I use these as well, had not thought of improving the handle.

Neil, I just wash them in warm water with dawn dish detergent.

[morsa]

Great point, sossol. I use these as well, had not thought of improving the handle.

Neil, I just wash them in warm water with dawn dish detergent.

I am not sure if mineral oil makes any difference in cleaning these brushes, but it is effective for cleaning greasy parts (eg label residue).
On the other hand, it is definite that no solvent helps to clean them, and nobody uses solvents to clean makeup.

[wizard69]

How do you clean the mascara from the brushes?Neil

run them through your eyebrows. LOLOn a serious side I really like this idea and immediately started thinking about bore brushes which could use nicely machined handles. This is certainly one of those ideas that falls into the category of "why didn't I think of that". Which is also why this web site is so great, hundreds of good ideas every week (even if you don't use them) keeps the mind primed when you need to solve a problem.

[mklotz]

run them through your eyebrows. LOLOn a serious side I really like this idea and immediately started thinking about bore brushes which could use nicely machined handles. This is certainly one of those ideas that falls into the category of "why didn't I think of that". Which is also why this web site is so great, hundreds of good ideas every week (even if you don't use them) keeps the mind primed when you need to solve a problem.

Don't overlook the shotgun swabs. I use them to clean Morse taper bores, e.g. tailstock) because they seem to have a magnetic attraction for swarf, much as Swiffer products do for dust, but I'm sure there are other cleaning applications that could benefit from their use.

If you like ideas about repurposing stuff and simple improvements, you might want to take a look at my "one liners" post...

One liners

I would encourage others to collect their own ideas and inventions into a similar format post. Pictures are essential but only minimum verbiage is needed to convey such simple ideas.

[morsa]

Don't overlook the shotgun swabs. I use them to clean Morse taper bores, e.g. tailstock) because they seem to have a magnetic attraction for swarf, much as Swiffer products do for dust, but I'm sure there are other cleaning applications that could benefit from their use.

If you like ideas about repurposing stuff and simple improvements, you might want to take a look at my "one liners" post...

One liners





I would encourage others to collect their own ideas and inventions into a similar format post. Pictures are essential but only minimum verbiage is needed to convey such simple ideas.

Thanks mklotz. I like the idea of "One Liners" and may be I could gather some tips.

[wizard69]

Marv;

Some great ideas there.

On the issue of old eyes seeing small things, one of the best bits of dumpster diving I've ever done was to take a video projector apart to remove the lens cells in the projector. I ended up with a magnifier that has the optical quality of a high end device (loupe or hand held magnifier) and it cost me nothing but time. No pictures at the moment but your link reminded with the magnified punch.

Unfortunately I'm finding more and more needs for optical aids.

Don't overlook the shotgun swabs. I use them to clean Morse taper bores, e.g. tailstock) because they seem to have a magnetic attraction for swarf, much as Swiffer products do for dust, but I'm sure there are other cleaning applications that could benefit from their use.

If you like ideas about repurposing stuff and simple improvements, you might want to take a look at my "one liners" post...

One liners

I would encourage others to collect their own ideas and inventions into a similar format post. Pictures are essential but only minimum verbiage is needed to convey such simple ideas.

[mklotz]

Marv;

Some great ideas there.

On the issue of old eyes seeing small things, one of the best bits of dumpster diving I've ever done was to take a video projector apart to remove the lens cells in the projector. I ended up with a magnifier that has the optical quality of a high end device (loupe or hand held magnifier) and it cost me nothing but time. No pictures at the moment but your link reminded with the magnified punch.

Unfortunately I'm finding more and more needs for optical aids.

LEDs have established a new level of performance for magnifiers. My goto 10x magnifier is this model with built-in lighting...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PK49HB/ref=dp_prsubs_2

and, for really small stuff or stuff that's typical to approach with a larger magnifier, this conventional loupe design, which also has built-in lighting, fits the bill perfectly. Worn on a neck chain, it's always to hand...

https://www.amazon.com/Magnification...3130089&sr=8-5

Of course, I also have bigger magnifiers (e.g. visor, lamp with lens) but the two above get the most use.

[morsa]

How do you clean the mascara from the brushes?


Neil

Since makeup cleaning products (micellar cleansing water) contain oil + water, I used a two-step cleaning method: first, clean with mineral oil, drying with a paper towel, followed by washing with dish soap and water.