Best use of an old tooth brush

[chief38]

As some here may already know I shoot quite a bit! Aside from my normal range day Friday, I sometimes venture out another day of the week as well. That means I have many dirty guns to clean.

One of the most useful tools for cleaning a gun is a nylon tooth brush. I used to buy the black plastic ones (not quite tooth brushes) from Brownell's but I have found a better solution. My wife and I change tooth brushes about every 6-8 weeks. When they are no longer used as intended I bring them into my work shop and trim off about 1/8" of the bristles to make the brush stiffer and flat once again. A good pair of scissors works well for this. These modified tooth brushes work better than the black nylon ones Brownell's sells and they last forever! They are not effected by any solvent, cleaner or oils I use and they are free because you are recycling them, not buying them specifically for cleaning guns. They never shed either. When I get mad at my wife, I just use her regular tooth brush - LOL! (joke of course).

Anyway, since I have not mentioned that here before and have been doing this for 40 years, I figured I'd post it now - better late than never.

BTW, we buy tooth brushes on sale at Costco in the 8 pack I believe. We like the medium stiff ones for teeth and they seem to work great on guns after being replaced by a new one. Just make sure you rinse all traces of tooth paste out of the brush before using because as most here know, tooth paste is still a mild abrasive.

 

[SSGRock]

Toothbrush

Post pictures of modified toothbrush. Thanks

 

[moosedog]

Old toothbrushes and cotton T-shirts are always part of my cleaning supplies.

 

[Bald1]

Or you can just buy toothbrushes a the $1 store. They come in 3 packs.

 

[Rustywrench]

Yep, toothbrush, tee shirt, and, don't forget the ol Q-tip for cleaning too. gets into small spots nicely.

 

[Yendor357]

Do yourself a big favor and get a Phillis Sonic Care electric toothbrush.

They cost $69 plus tax and shipping on Amazon. Cheap!

They’re easier on your teeth.

The Sonic Care does a better job.

You will spend a lot less time on your back with your mouth open while someone scrapes at you teeth for what seems like forever. Trust me on this one.

 

[lihpster]

The best use of an old toothbrush is to file it down and use it as a shank to protect your behind in prison. Your idea is a close second, though.

 

[gwpercle]

Scrubbing bullet moulds with cleaner .
The old school Oral-B toothbrushes will not melt even in straight acetone .
New aluminum moulds have cuttings oils forced deep into the metal pores ... scrubbing with acetone and heating the mould ... 3 times will get most of the cutting oil out of a new aluminum mould .
I also scrub older ones before starting to cast ...clean cavities cast mo better .
I am Not sure if the new curved and contured brushes or other brands ar acetone resistant ... I know the old flat straight Oral-B's will stand up to the acetone , lacquer thinner and Ed's Red Solvent ... I scrub Gun Parts with these cleaners too .
Gary

 

[Nevada Ed]

I even saw where a person made one up to help remove
hooks from the mouth of a fish.

I have on at my desk, to clean my PC board off, now and then.

Great little tool.

 

[Jack Flash]

You can often find ice picks at estate sales. They are like a super toothpick for getting into all those tiny little recesses! Have a light touch, please.

 

[mtgianni]

Do yourself a big favor and get a Phillis Sonic Care electric toothbrush.

They cost $69 plus tax and shipping on Amazon. Cheap!

They’re easier on your teeth.

The Sonic Care does a better job.

You will spend a lot less time on your back with your mouth open while someone scrapes at you teeth for what seems like forever. Trust me on this one.

2 for $99 at Costco last month. No tax or shipping. They have really improved my gum health per my hygienist.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

AR 15's & M16's came with a plastic bristle brush in the cleaning kit held in the stock.....Several live in my cleaning box,

 

[The Norseman]

Toothbrush Tips

Thank you for the toothbrush usage Tip.
I will have to try trimming the bristles.

Old Toothbrushes, Toothpicks, Makeup
Remover Cotton Rounds, rags, hollow
ground screwdrivers, hole punch, blue
tape, and inch-pound torque wrench
are all part of my cleaning kit.

The Best to you and your Endeavors.

 

[Liftrat]

Been using old toothbrushes for all kinds of things for years (just part of being frugal), but I've never thought of trimming them. Thanks for the tip.

 

[mrcvs]

Do yourself a big favor and get a Phillis Sonic Care electric toothbrush.

They cost $69 plus tax and shipping on Amazon. Cheap!

They’re easier on your teeth.

The Sonic Care does a better job.

You will spend a lot less time on your back with your mouth open while someone scrapes at you teeth for what seems like forever. Trust me on this one.

Who cares how well this works on your teeth. How does it work on cleaning guns, bullet molds, etc?

 

[Beemerguy53]

The best use of an old toothbrush is to file it down and use it as a shank to protect your behind in prison...

I trust you're not speaking from firsthand experience!

 

[lihpster]

I trust you're not speaking from firsthand experience!

Never been arrested or even detained, except on a traffic stop. My last traffic citation was over 20 years ago. Obeying the law has its privileges. One of which is not having to worry about prison rape. I highly recommend it!

 

[chief38]

Or you can just buy toothbrushes a the $1 store. They come in 3 packs.

The el cheapo brands may be less dense and not quite a good.

 

[chief38]

Been using old toothbrushes for all kinds of things for years (just part of being frugal), but I've never thought of trimming them. Thanks for the tip.

Trimming them 1/8” stiffens them up perfectly and helps them fit into tighter places.

 

[Jeff423]

Who cares how well this works on your teeth. How does it work on cleaning guns, bullet molds, etc?

I was just going to post that I saw a YouTube video of a guy using a cheap electric tooth brush for cleaning guns. He said it worked great.