Osborne Brushes, I need help

[Paula-in-CO]

Okay, I bought a 120grit osborne brush, put it on my grinder, and it did not work well at all. It left burn marks in the wood. I looked at the max RPM on it (6000) and I think the problem is our grinder is way over that.

So, tell me, EXACTLY what type of grinder or power tool are you using with your osborne brush.

Thanks!

[Jeff Kyger]

Paula:

6,000 RPM's could very well leave burn marks in your logs. The written instructions we've received from Osborn mention 1,600 - 1,800 RPM's...maximum. What is it you're removing? We talk to several homeowners who have the misconception the brush is used to remove stain as hand sanding will, or to remove a very fine layer of "UV greying". This is not going to happen. It's not nearly as abrasive and aggresive on wood as one would think...especially at 1,600 RMP's. It would work fine to remove some fuzzies after a pressure washing, maybe a little dirt or some early stages of mildew prior to staining, but that's about it

Jeff

[April Showers]

we are using the 80 grit osborne brushes on our house and it has done a nice job taking off the slight greying ans water staining. The first time my husband tried it, he forgot to set the grinder on the lower RPM setting and he burned the inside bristles of the brush, but did not really burn the wood. He now uses is at 2,000 rpm which is the slowest our grinder will go. I have really been impressed with how well it works.

[Jon Fife]

Hi Paula,

The item you need is a Makita 9227-C variable speed buffer. You can get the best price and order them online at: www.deckguide.com. Cost is around $225.00. Jim Bilyeu sells the brushes if you need those, www.lokwood.com. Good luck,

Jon Fife
Tennessee Wood Care

[MikeS]

Paula

I suspect you are using a 10,000 rpm mini-grinder. You are using a racing motorcycle when you should start out with a 50cc step through scooter. We do use the mini-grinders, but I never recommend it to someone who has not used the Osborne brush before. It works, but you need to keep it moving and not apply too much pressure. Otherwise, it burns, and it happens fast. That's the difference you get with experience.

Go with the low speed buffer. Milwaukee also makes 7" grinders with variable speed. Get a good name brand, like Makita, Ryobi, Dewalt, or Milwaukee, because you will do major wear to the tool. You can also use a random orbital sander, but that is even slower.

[Alan Mackintosh]

I need some help with Osborn brushes too!!

I have a makita 9227 but because I bought mine in Inverness ( look it up on Encarta) it has an M14 thread and all the osborn brushes i have found (so far) have 5/8"UNC thread. Does anyone know where i might find such a brush with an M14 thread?? or do I have to buy 10 square metres of sand paper, and some whisky to ease the pain in my arm

[Stephanie]

Alan, could you order from Makita online?

[Alan Mackintosh]

I already have a makita sander- I need a brush with an M14 thread

[Jon Fife]

Maybe find an adapter?? Find something that threads on M14 and reduces to 5/8" so you can thread on your brush. Start out by calling Makita and see what they suggest.

Jon Fife

[Paula-in-CO]

I finally found the right tool to use with my osborne brush, but decided that it just wasn't right on our logs with their post-milled-hand-hewn-finish. This thing would be absolutely wonderful on milled homes without the hand hewn finish. I could really see its usefullness.

Anyway, I listed my osborne brush for sale on the For Sale board.