[TheForge] Brooms?

[Grover Richardson]

I make brooms sometimes.  I forge the handle to my style, and fold over the
last 1" or so on the brushy end.  Then, go out and collect sage grass.  Let
it sit a week in the basement.  This allows it to dry out.  If it doesn't
dry out now, it will after you tie it up and give it or sell it and then the
grass will get loose and fall out.  Not a happy customer.

So, take the grass, and bundle it around the iron handle.  Start by making a
slip knot on the handle about near the folded over lump.  Then wrap the
grass and the strapping (leather strap like shoe lace is what I use) around
the iron handle.  When it is wrapped, tie it and run it through the grass to
hold it together.

Then, using common scissors (not the wife's best as I have found out<G>),
cut the top so that the top is flat.  Cut the business end so that it is of
reasonable shape or flat.  Trim off any flyers or loose things that come out
of the side.

I sometimes add a leather strap near the end for decoration and to hold it
together.

Use it, if it catches fire in the fireplace, throw it into the fire and
regrass it later.

I usually use hair spray on it so that it won't shed.

>*>-----Original Message-----
>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>*>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of 
>*>Washington, Aubrey O.
>*>Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 12:38 PM
>*>To: Sponsored by ABANA
>*>Subject: RE: [TheForge] Brooms?
>*>
>*>
>*>Jonathan,
>*> 
>*>If you want someone who will tie custom made brooms onto 
>*>your handle, I would recommend Diana Davis at 
>*>lazyassforge at tds.net.  You send the handle to her, she ties 
>*>the broom directly onto it and sends it back to you.  
>*>Contact her for specifics, but I think her prices are very 
>*>reasonable.  (No, she doesn't give me kickbacks...darn it!)
>*> 
>*>Aubrey Washington
>*>Saltfork Craftsmen ABA, ABANA
>*>Rock Creek Forge
>*>Norman, OK
>*>
>*>________________________________
>*>
>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Jonathan Nedbor
>*>Sent: Thu 12/8/2005 6:50 AM
>*>To: theforge at mailman.qth.net
>*>Subject: [TheForge] Brooms?
>*>
>*>
>*>
>*>Good Morning,
>*>
>*>I am looking for a good source for brooms for fireplace 
>*>sets. I have a few sets of tools to make and the customer 
>*>wants brooms to be included. Does anyone ther have a source? 
>*>A friend had looked for someone named Epps, but their 
>*>contact info did not work.
>*>
>*>Thanks,
>*>Jonathan Nedbor
>*>
>*>
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