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How I Make a Broom

Lee Celtic

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Llanberis, North Wales UK
Thanks for this Andy.. It's great to see an old craft still being used for fun and profit.. Great work and very interesting..:thumbup:

When I was learning my trade I was lucky to get into the school of furniture in Manchester (UK) where one of the teachers had a side line in Bodging.. for those who don't know it's actually making furniture from fresh cut green wood.. He had a collection of old tools he'd adapted over the years and at one Trade show I remember him sitting between 100's of £1000's worth of industrial machinery turning a chair leg on what was basically a slow speed electric motor in a wooden box with a chuck attached..

Half way through he stopped and shook his head then reached into a bag of tools and pulled out a hammer. The proceeded to bang another nail into the box due to the thing falling apart.. then went on to finish the job.. That was 30 odd years ago but he helped teach me my trade..

I think you need to pass those skills of yours on so they are not lost. ( a long time in the future I hope)

My Teacher Jack Hill at work.

Jack_Chair_colour_small.jpg
 
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oldironfarmer

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Andy. Your needles look to be double ended and that would make sense to me. They also appear to be dull compared to the needles I use. Again that seems to make sense.
Anyway I wondered if a sailmakers palm would be any use. For the needles I use it is essential, but you seem to get by pretty well your own way.

Sent from my LG-D801 using Tapatalk

I've never tried a palm thimble, if that is the correct term. Since I have to use my fingers to get the needle started, and I can push through, it seems as though it would be slower to use a palm. But it would certainly be easier. Maybe not slower.:dunno:

I tried searching for "Mr. Coburn" to find out more about him and saw this list of ads. Pretty cool, didn't know broom corn and brooms were such a big deal back then.

https://books.google.com/books?id=W...ved=0ahUKEwiFkae7lKPPAhWCcD4KHYTQCIoQ6AEIKjAC


Still don't know who Mr. Coburn is? Did I miss it?

I've been mis-spelling it, it is Colburn. And his name was A. A. Colburn. Here is the article I have, from a long defunct Terlton, OK, newspaper.

IMG_1979_zpsoykcb28g.jpg


There was no account "next week" but a year later the paper reported he was making thirteen dozen per week. I need to get a copy of that article.

He was a farmer and got into brooms as a side business. His abandoned equipment is what I have. He brought it to town in 1913 and made brooms into the 1940's. The only internet connection I can find is a video of Nannie Colburn, his daughter in law, if you search Colburn Terlton. She was the lady who came to the state in a covered wagon.

Thanks for this Andy.. It's great to see an old craft still being used for fun and profit.. Great work and very interesting..:thumbup:

When I was learning my trade I was lucky to get into the school of furniture in Manchester (UK) where one of the teachers had a side line in Bodging.. for those who don't know it's actually making furniture from fresh cut green wood.. He had a collection of old tools he'd adapted over the years and at one Trade show I remember him sitting between 100's of £1000's worth of industrial machinery turning a chair leg on what was basically a slow speed electric motor in a wooden box with a chuck attached..

Half way through he stopped and shook his head then reached into a bag of tools and pulled out a hammer. The proceeded to bang another nail into the box due to the thing falling apart.. then went on to finish the job.. That was 30 odd years ago but he helped teach me my trade..

I think you need to pass those skills of yours on so they are not lost. ( a long time in the future I hope)

My Teacher Jack Hill at work.

Jack_Chair_colour_small.jpg

Very interesting! I do some green wood woodworking. Mostly I make tool handles, not furniture. Is that still Bodging? Here's a picture of an axe handle I made last year out of hickory. I'm trying to clear land and am cutting trees with my Bobcat. I have a neighbor who cuts firewood for income (he's retired but cuts a LOT) and for the last 18 months or so he's been cutting on my place. He had an old axe he had found in the woods and was using it with a very deteriorated handle. I told him if he would bring me a good piece of hickory I would make him a handle for it. We selected an 8-inch diameter piece and I split it to make this handle for him.

876639c2-1e28-45ad-9856-c8d4082da852_zpsxyudnjny.jpg


I put the curve in it because when split there was wavy grain and I wanted to follow the grain. It feels OK. In the picture the head is being fitted and the handle is not inserted. My shaving horse and draw knife are in the background. Shaving horse was made from one piece of hickory off the farm, all split, no power tools. Using the drawknife on green wood is very therapeutic.
 

dlcwent

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Andy, a little over a week goes by and you have another 5 page thread going on. You are not letting the dust settle on your old bones are you?

"Story telling, hmmm. My mom always thought I told stories, and was always after the truth. I bristled at her accusations. Tried to sweep it under the rug, and generally had a brush with discipline. Fortunately I could usually get her in stitches before I was hurled into the corner. I guess maybe I learned story telling as a child"

You're a hard act to follow. And you may have missed your true calling. :dunno: Oh I almost forgot, this broom making thingy you do is pretty cool. You really need to stop being so lazy and try to get something done. :willy_nil
 

mkat1951

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Just read this whole thread and now I'm an hour late getting out to the shop and getting to work. Worth it though, very cool, I love seeing old machinery still being used.
 

fast823

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I asked this in your other thread but do you grow your own broom corn? Sorry if I missed the answer but I was thinking of growing some next year and was looking for some tips.
 
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oldironfarmer

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Thank you sir.

We have a US Senator by the name of Coburn. I've made the error of Colburn vs Coburn before :)

Andy, a little over a week goes by and you have another 5 page thread going on. You are not letting the dust settle on your old bones are you?

"Story telling, hmmm. My mom always thought I told stories, and was always after the truth. I bristled at her accusations. Tried to sweep it under the rug, and generally had a brush with discipline. Fortunately I could usually get her in stitches before I was hurled into the corner. I guess maybe I learned story telling as a child"

You're a hard act to follow. And you may have missed your true calling. :dunno: Oh I almost forgot, this broom making thingy you do is pretty cool. You really need to stop being so lazy and try to get something done. :willy_nil

Well, thanks for the mostly kind words. I fear being lazy so an accusation always hits home :willy_nil

I was beat today but I promise tomorrow we'll get something done:thumbup:

Just read this whole thread and now I'm an hour late getting out to the shop and getting to work. Worth it though, very cool, I love seeing old machinery still being used.

Thanks for stopping by, sorry 'bout the lost time! I really like using old equipment and machinery, and hate to own something and not know how to maintain and use it. But to be proficient you have to spend some time at it. And time seems to be in short supply. It is gratifying that others enjoy seeing it used. Thank you!

I asked this in your other thread but do you grow your own broom corn? Sorry if I missed the answer but I was thinking of growing some next year and was looking for some tips.

I have not grown broom corn, but I have heard stories. One of the advantages of making broom sin a place like Fairview, OK, is that there used to be lots of broomcorn grown in the area. People who were personally involved in the industry like to share their stories. Mostly as children since it has been a long time since it has become uneconomically to grow. One gentleman this week told me about seeing great piles of seed at the thrashing plants. Many more seed than is needed for planting. The seed is bitter and they found no use for it.

I think, from what I've heard, that broom corn is easy to grow. Drought tolerant, and does not require a lot of fertility. A little like okra if you've grown it. But unlike okra, it will really cause you to itch when harvesting it. One fellow came by last year and said he had planted six acres. He was looking for anybody to come and cut any or all of it, for free. I declined, regretfully, just no time.

A little like hay, it should be dried carefully to a bright green color, separated so it won't mold. I'm no expert. I expect to try it some year when I get bored.
 
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oldironfarmer

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Hey Andy, you knew that I'd read the next article - the one with the heading "Don't Read This"...

Now I have a sudden urge to find some ice cream. :drool:

Home made ice cream, with real cream in 1913:thumbup:

I find old newspapers interesting. The notice at the top is the monthly statement of assets of Terlton State Bank. The bank failed in the thirties but the ornate building is still here.

Thanks for the visit!
 
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oldironfarmer

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Part of making brooms is stitching the twine to hold them flat. My equipment came without a needle, and I could find none to buy. So I had to make my own. I had seen Stan Inman's and had an idea of what I wanted.

To make a needle I planned to hot forge suitable steel to near shape, then grind and polish to final shape.

My forge and anvil are in the blacksmith shop:

IMG_1455_zps3udpoo0m.jpg


From the left:

Slack tub - old whiskey barrel half, rotted, with orange plastic bucket with water
Chimney - old duct work
Forge blower - very old Champion 400
Forge - old rivet forge, suitable for most work I do, including welding
Trip hammer - Little Giant 25#, 1946
Anvil - old Trenton, favorite hammer stays on top
Drill press - very old post drill
Fly press - New 5 ton fly press from India (on the orange stand)

That's the guts of the blacksmith shop. It's a shed off my shop with a dirt floor per my dad's advice that blacksmith shops should have a dirt floor. Actually lots of them even have wooden floors (keep the fire on the forge). Dirt floor works for me. Clinkers and ash go on the floor and makes a nice surface to work on.

Generally I do blacksmithing with found materials. I rarely if ever buy anything to forge, and I have saved tons (literally, several tons) of potential forging material. Since I'm a farmer, cast off farm residue is often my base material. I use section guards to make knives (guards are made for impact and cutting), shafts to make punches and chisels (also use sucker rod, an oil field material, goes down to the pump to **** oil up) so for a needle, I only needed a small piece. Hay rake tines are perfect, high carbon steel, small diameter. Here's a rake tooth on the forge ready to be reformed for a better purpose:

011fd54a-a7c1-41a7-bcee-4f167f0e55c7_zpsqtcpyo0f.jpg


A coal forge is just a pot with a blower. Coal generally requires a good draft to burn. If I leave my fire in the forge and go in to lunch it will be cold when I get back unless I'm very quick. Coal can be a challenge to light, I use sawdust I've used to soak up oil in the shop. Since you have a blower, you can put as much air as you want into the fire. Sawdust would just smolder but with air from the blower, the sawdust will burn well. Starting the fire:

IMG_1205_zpslgmepdf4.jpg


I can get a 3/8" round red hot three minutes after starting. Can you do that with your oxyacetylene rig? Unrolling the hose, turning on the bottles, setting the regulators, finding the striker, adjusting the flame, and then, heating the work. And the gasses are expensive so you turn the torch off between heats (at least I do). With a forge, the second heat is quicker because the fire grows slowly. You tend to get the work hotter, it forges easier, and you do better work, and coal is very cheap if you use common coal. Which I do. I'm cheap.

Get the iron in the fire!!!

IMG_1206_zps4ewazpgl.jpg
 

Teemore

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Another interesting thread to lose myself in. Very interesting to see these time proven crafts being kept alive. You mentioned not being able to buy a suitable needle for stiching twine into the broom. Would this work? (Not that I am discouraging your creation of your own needles!)http://www.fanevalleystores.com/product/150013/Wool-Packing-Needle-7in
Packing needles still find "occasional" use in Northern Ireland but that is declining along with use of hessian sacks. I first used one of these to sew up sacks of barley as a child thirty something years ago.
 
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oldironfarmer

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Another interesting thread to lose myself in. Very interesting to see these time proven crafts being kept alive. You mentioned not being able to buy a suitable needle for stiching twine into the broom. Would this work? (Not that I am discouraging your creation of your own needles!)http://www.fanevalleystores.com/product/150013/Wool-Packing-Needle-7in
Packing needles still find "occasional" use in Northern Ireland but that is declining along with use of hessian sacks. I first used one of these to sew up sacks of barley as a child thirty something years ago.

Thanks for the visit, and the suggestion. I looked at lots of large needles. The hole needs to be about 3/32". Needles I found were much smaller. and, ideally, the needles need to be double ended for rapid stitching. They also should be flat on the end to get under the twine and then you twist it to align the needle with the broom corn.

IMG_1978_zpszfb46g3q.jpg


Stay tuned!

awesome post thanks for sharing

Thanks for the visit!
 
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oldironfarmer

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Last step we had the fire going. The flame is from green coal burning down to coke. A good coke fire looks like white hot coals with just a little flame.

Not much of a picture, but here is the tine cut off and partially forged flat, still red but too cool to forge, it's going back to the fire.

IMG_1207_zpsgotpiasj.jpg


A couple of more heats, and we have two blanks forged to rough shape.

IMG_1208_zpsej7akhrp.jpg


I rotated those pictures, honest. And they rotated back:willy_nil:willy_nil
Home made tongs in the picture, they work best for small items like the needles.

From here on it's mill, grind, and polish.

Here is the forged blank having the edges rough ground to point both ends. It was forged to be thinner at the ends. Establishing the points on the ends allows you to work toward the points from here on.

IMG_2020_zps3zbbv0y0.jpg


Next step is to grind or mill the edges flat, and lined up parallel to the centerline of the points. Before I had a mill I would hand grind the entire needle. Very time consuming but it works although it is hard to get the entire needle straight by hand. Once both edges are flat it can be clamped in the mill vise to face the wide faces even though it is thin. The wood is a temporary parallel bar to hold the thin needle close to the top of the vise. Here the needle is being faced:

IMG_2019_zpsf3ygqhkq.jpg


The needle after one pass. You can see forged variations in the surface and that the ends are thinner so they didn't get milled.

IMG_2021_zpskbixok5p.jpg


Final pass

IMG_2022_zpswostg2nm.jpg


After facing both sides it's time to put a groove in the middle. The groove provides some relief for the twine so the twine provides less resistance to pushing through the broom corn.

I use a 5/16" ball end mill to make the groove. Here it is in a collet.

IMG_2023_zpspstq7ret.jpg


And making a groove in one side. both sides get grooved.

IMG_2024_zpsflriczat.jpg


Notice the groove does not go all the way to the end because the ends are thinner. Did I say that yet?

Finished milling, ready to hand grind.

IMG_2025_zps1xkaeuyd.jpg


Three needles. On the left - milled (this needle was not tapered from the forge as much as I usually do-cheap hand made stuff), middle - tapers partially ground, right - an old needle I made several years ago.

IMG_2032_zpss73dbtnl.jpg


Edge view of the above.

IMG_2033_zpsbupxvllo.jpg


After grinding mill marks off the edges, and working the ends down thin

IMG_2035_zpsb09wjtai.jpg


Remember we're only working on the middle needle.

Having the groove at an accurate depth makes grinding the flat tapers easy, you just watch how the end of the groove retreats. Note the difference in the grooves in the three needles. Again, the left needle has not been hand ground, just forged and milled, and this is the other side of this needle.

IMG_2036_zpsan4h9qde.jpg


More grinding and the groove is receding.

IMG_2037_zpszzlcvduk.jpg


Side by side comparison

IMG_2038_zpsn0onq6b6.jpg


Getting thinner

IMG_2039_zps7nbovheh.jpg


After yet more grinding, the middle needle is taking shape, and now is nicely thin.

IMG_2049_zpswnvsxxog.jpg


IMG_2050_zpsc0e8tu5g.jpg


The groove is slightly deeper than in the old needle, so when the needle is thin enough there is more groove left.

IMG_2051_zps655dymub.jpg


Detail of the ends. More grinding to come!
 

Bob Heine

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Andy, I love the needle-making process and I really admire your dedication to a craft that has all but disappeared.

I assume you are doing this for the love of the process. If it's your get-rich-quick scheme, it might need a little refining.

I would recommend a video disguised as iPhone and Android apps that show how to make a broom needle from a hay rake tine. Included with the app is a rusty hay rake tine for only $19.99 plus S&H (which only shows up at checkout). If they order in the next 10 minutes, a second hay rake tine is included for just an additional S&H charge.

As a special, one-time offer, let them avoid shipping and handling -- it's free if they sign up for Broom Needle Prime for just $99 per year (another tine is delivered every month). If they aren't completely satisfied, let them cancel the Prime subscription, pro-rated for the number of months left on the subscription, with broom straw credits in lieu of cash.

I would move fast on this before Ama... you know who, gets wind of this.
 
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oldironfarmer

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Groovy, man! Keep the posts coming.

KDub

Thanks! The needles are groovy on both sides.

Andy, I love the needle-making process and I really admire your dedication to a craft that has all but disappeared.

I assume you are doing this for the love of the process. If it's your get-rich-quick scheme, it might need a little refining.

I would recommend a video disguised as iPhone and Android apps that show how to make a broom needle from a hay rake tine. Included with the app is a rusty hay rake tine for only $19.99 plus S&H (which only shows up at checkout). If they order in the next 10 minutes, a second hay rake tine is included for just an additional S&H charge.

As a special, one-time offer, let them avoid shipping and handling -- it's free if they sign up for Broom Needle Prime for just $99 per year (another tine is delivered every month). If they aren't completely satisfied, let them cancel the Prime subscription, pro-rated for the number of months left on the subscription, with broom straw credits in lieu of cash.

I would move fast on this before Ama... you know who, gets wind of this.

:bowdown::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

I think you've got it figured out!!!

I've got an original idea! Think I could buy a drone and make my own deliveries?

Thanks for showing us your needle making techniques. I found an interesting story of needle making and links to a well-known bearing company: http://ismacs.net/needle_and_shank/makingneedles.html

Very interesting story :) It is written in rather odd verse, isn't it.

Thanks for the visit!
 
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oldironfarmer

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Terlton, Oklahoma
This is the little grinder I do grinding on after roughing on a pedestal grinder.

IMG_2052_zpsufzwtjgt.jpg


I keep a 100 grit belt on this grinder. The antique Blue Bunny bucket has cooling water.

The needle is now ready for the finishing grinder.

IMG_2053_zpst7zis1hl.jpg


1" by 42" belt grinder, with a worn 220 grit belt. When I have to replace the belt, the new 220 grit is a little too aggressive for me.

The only use for this grinder is to remove the marks from the 100 grit belt. It does not take very long, and smooths the surface nicely.

IMG_2054_zpstezi3yec.jpg


I grind on the angle so it is easy to see when all the 100 grit marks are gone. It's a little hard to see in the photograph, so I held a caliper above so you can see the reflection.

IMG_2055_zpsa9ppg5sx.jpg


Now it is time for the polisher. It is important to have a slick surface to let the needle slip through tight broom corn fibers.

IMG_2056_zpspjs1epig.jpg


The left wheel is a sewn cotton cloth and the right wheel is laminated cardboard. I use the right wheel to polish the edge on cutting tools. The cotton wheel is used for general polishing. I use red rouge on both wheels. There are other choices for grit but I have had very good results with red rouge and stay with it. Here is the result of polishing only the far end of the needle (center, of course)

IMG_2057_zpsrtz9osqb.jpg


After several minutes of polishing, the needle is slick and shiny.

IMG_2058_zpsrpmd8kk3.jpg


A little brighter than the one on the right because use dulls the shine a little.

Next is the hole for the twine, to actually make it a needle. I use an old hammer with a hand made handle and a hand made center punch. I like a heavier punch than what you usually see, hit it hard and it doesn't bounce.

IMG_2059_zps3hesljk2.jpg


After a quick trip to the drill press for a 3/32" hole, I use a small round file to dress the edges of the hole. If it's not smooth the needle will cut the twine before you finish the broom. I'm not guessing on that.

IMG_2060_zps2e34ut7q.jpg


And that's all there is to making the needle!

IMG_2061_zpsx8ollv8v.jpg


Ready to ship.

How do you safely ship a sharp needle through the mail?

I put them in a wooden box. Here's our needle trying on a piece of black walnut for size.

IMG_2074_zpsuqkamwun.jpg


Using a guide next to a bench router, mill a groove to fit the needle.

IMG_2076_zpsmojuyhhl.jpg


Then trim it thin and it's ready to mail.

IMG_2077_zpsyzeok8yq.jpg


The needle in it's box is wrapped in paper and mailed in a standard envelope.

Thanks for watching!!
 
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Guster

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Real slick Andy! Must be tempting to not make a few extra for throwing at a dartboard for a little shuriken practice! :)

Love the blacksmith room. Nice trip hammer and the fly-press must be very handy. What mill do you have?
 

Major Ramifications

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To be read in the voice of Elwood Blues:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Garage Journal Forum!
Well here it is 2016 going on 2026, you know you never get to see master broomsmen practicing their craft anymore.
Pretty soon, the item known today as the broom will exist only in the Ancient Artifacts department of your local public museum.
So today, while we still can, let us welcome, from North East Oklahoma, the broom man of OldIronFarmer, the "Broom Brother"!
 
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jbmatth

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Great write-up as per usual, glad you were able to put this together and share it with all of us. I can help with the video if I get a chance to come for a visit we can make it happen.
JB
 
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oldironfarmer

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Real slick Andy! Must be tempting to not make a few extra for throwing at a dartboard for a little shuriken practice! :)

Love the blacksmith room. Nice trip hammer and the fly-press must be very handy. What mill do you have?

Of course I could make as many as I want - I have two to use but have not thought of throwing them. I have dropped them. I usually only throw fits. I've thought about learning how to juggle so throwing up would be something people might want to watch you do. Thanks for the visit!

To be read in the voice of Elwood Blues:

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to the Garage Journal Forum!
Well here it is 2016 going on 2026, you know you never get to see master broomsman practicing their craft anymore.
Pretty soon, the item known today as the broom will exist only in the How They Used to Do Things department of your local public museum.
So today, while we still can, let us welcome, from North East Oklahoma, the broom man of OldIronFarmer, the "Broom Brother"!

:bowdown::bowdown::lol_hitti:lol_hitti

Great write-up as per usual, glad you were able to put this together and share it with all of us. I can help with the video if I get a chance to come for a visit we can make it happen.
JB

Thank you! If you ever get a minute come down for a visit!

Thanks for stopping by, guys!
 

TimeWarpF100

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I thought it was incredible to see such a old machine. Then to read you actually have it working! What a amazing thread! If you ever decide to sell a few of the brooms would be up for a couple.

Keep the info coming!
 

drivesitfar

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Andy: great write up and pictures on how you made the needles. it's nice to know that some simple tools (a broom for instance) can still be made at a home shop and don't need to be mass produced. i'm sure it's probably more for the love of using the old machine than the small amount of funds you make and thanks for sharing your craft and showing off your skills. :bowdown::bowdown:
 

brentm

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Messages
23
I thought it was incredible to see such a old machine. Then to read you actually have it working! What a amazing thread! If you ever decide to sell a few of the brooms would be up for a couple.

Keep the info coming!


Count me in also! I searched the usual places but did not see any of your product for sale.

I'd also be in for a whisk broom. I use one for cleaning the corn meal off the pizza stone when we do outdoor pizzas.

This was the coolest thread I've seen in a while!! Thanks for sharing!
 
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oldironfarmer

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I thought it was incredible to see such a old machine. Then to read you actually have it working! What a amazing thread! If you ever decide to sell a few of the brooms would be up for a couple.

Keep the info coming!

Thanks for your comments! I am going to price mailing brooms but have not yet done so. If you would send me an IM titled Broom Sale I will get back with you when I know the price and you can make a decision then.

Andy: great write up and pictures on how you made the needles. it's nice to know that some simple tools (a broom for instance) can still be made at a home shop and don't need to be mass produced. i'm sure it's probably more for the love of using the old machine than the small amount of funds you make and thanks for sharing your craft and showing off your skills. :bowdown::bowdown:

Definitely done for learning the craft. I titled it "How I Make A Broom" in case a real broom maker looks in. It's not "How a Broom is Made", more "How a Broom Can be Made".

Thanks for the visit!

Count me in also! I searched the usual places but did not see any of your product for sale.

I'd also be in for a whisk broom. I use one for cleaning the corn meal off the pizza stone when we do outdoor pizzas.

This was the coolest thread I've seen in a while!! Thanks for sharing!

I am going to price mailing brooms but have not yet done so. If you would send me an IM titled Broom Sale I will get back with you when I know the price and you can make a decision then. I occasionally make whisk brooms, or small brooms (a little larger) with short handles (a little longer).

Thanks for the kind comments.
 

PLOWJEEP

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Youngsville, PA
oldironfarmer, I really enjoy reading about all of your adventures. I have many corn brooms. Some are stored hung up,but I have a couple that are bent from leaning in the corner. Is there any way to reshape a bent broom. Thanks for taking the time to share, Brian
 
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oldironfarmer

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oldironfarmer, I really enjoy reading about all of your adventures. I have many corn brooms. Some are stored hung up,but I have a couple that are bent from leaning in the corner. Is there any way to reshape a bent broom. Thanks for taking the time to share, Brian

Dip them in water up to the twine, for just a minute. Then hang it up. It may straighten. If not, soak it again and form it straight between a couple of pieces of cloth and let it dry straight. Every corn broom benefits from a water dip once per year to preserve the moisture in the corn. Not necessary if you occasionally scrub a wet floor with them.
 

PLOWJEEP

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Thanks for the advise oldironfarmer. I had no idea that you needed to wet a broom once in a while to keep it moist. Looking forward to more updates on your shop. Brian
 
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oldironfarmer

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Thanks for the advise oldironfarmer. I had no idea that you needed to wet a broom once in a while to keep it moist. Looking forward to more updates on your shop. Brian

My broom maker mentor told me that. He was good so I assume it is true and have been passing it along. Maybe he told people that so they would rot their brooms and come back to buy another...

Thanks for stooping in!

Now, I understand the manufacturing process. :thumbup:
Thank you!

Of course brooms are made manually all over the world with limited or no equipment. But this is one way they are made on this style kicker winder.

Thanks for the visit!

Great attention to detail, love seeing the process!

Thanks for the visit and comment! It is fun trying to reproduce what you used to see in hardware stores.
 

TimeWarpF100

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Andy, Broom showed up today! And absolutely Fantastic! Out of 100 starts possible it gets a 250 stars. I am even more blown away now after actually seeing one. Growing up there was always one in our house and all relatives in neighborhood. Have not seen anything like it in years . . A few friends that were here when it showed up today were also blown away and all want one. Again, thanks a zillion for sharing how they are built. The quality of it is simply amazing! So if you talk to that broom factory guy tell him to send another dozen and amount due . . This one of course will go to my sis in law who has a non curable cancer. 18 Siblings in her house growing up on a farm so am sure they all spent plenty of time using one similar.
We invited her & her husband to visit tomorrow night where I can present it to her. She has no idea I have one for her. She was over the day when I was reviewing your posts on how broom was made and also the time when she announced her Cancer. R

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Craptain

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Tampa Bay FL
I finally got my brooms on Friday. They showed up earlier but I only got to the shop on Friday. Really nice. The quality is way way higher than store bought. Thanks Andy. Now I need to make something with the cut off corn.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
 

aggierailroad

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I may have missed it but I do have a quick question: Are you stitching while the corn is still damp? My guess is yes, but I can't wrap my head around the timeline of these steps.

Thanks for the great and interesting read.
 

mgilde13

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Aug 24, 2010
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I just stumbled upon this thread. Thank you for sharing the step by step process. I'm always very fascinated with how things are made and now I know how my ex-wife's daily driver was assembled.
 
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