Schaefer Brush Manufacturing, LLC is pleased to announce that its Board has appointed Gonzalo Martinez as President and Chief Executive Officer effective December 1, 2021.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/gonzalo_martinez.jpg600600Michelle Swiniarskihttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngMichelle Swiniarski2021-11-30 17:00:042021-11-30 17:02:33Schaefer Brush Names New President and CEO
When you’re evaluating industrial brushes for manufacturing, maintenance, or production workflows, one factor plays a much bigger role than most people realize: heat tolerance.
Whether you’re cleaning parts, prepping surfaces, or integrating brushes into automated equipment, the temperature of your operating environment directly impacts how your tools perform. Choosing the wrong material can lead to premature wear, deformation, or even system downtime.
At Schaefer Brush, we help manufacturers and engineers alike understand what goes into selecting the right brush, which starts with material science. Below is a simple overview to help you navigate one of the most important performance characteristics: how much heat a material can handle before its integrity changes.
Why Does Heat Tolerance Matter?
Every brush material has a threshold where it begins to soften, warp, or lose rigidity. Once this happens, a brush may:
Lose its cleaning or cutting efficiency
Wear out significantly faster
Shed filaments
Cause inconsistent results
By understanding the basics of heat tolerance, teams can make more informed decisions long before they get into detailed engineering specs.
Melting Point by Material: A Quick Breakdown
Here’s a simplified look at the temperature resistance of common brush materials:
Polypropylene ~ 320°F
Polystyrene ~ 350°F
Nylon 6 ~ 410°F
Nylon 6.6 ~ 495°F
Bronze Alloys ~ 900°F
Stainless Steel – Up to ~1400°F
Matching Material to Application: Where to Start
If you’re exploring brush options for the first time or simply want to improve the performance of your current process, begin with these questions:
What temperatures does the brush encounter during use?
Is heat steady or does it vary (e.g., friction spikes)?
What’s more important — flexibility, chemical resistance, or structural strength?
Is the brush used manually or in automated equipment where heat builds up faster?
Understanding these baseline conditions helps narrow down the right material early in the decision process.
Know the Basics Before You Select a Brush
Great performance starts long before a brush reaches the production floor. It begins with awareness, which means understanding the fundamental differences between materials and how heat affects them.
As you continue exploring brush options, keep heat tolerance in mind as a foundational selection factor. With the right material, you can improve consistency, extend tool life, and reduce unexpected downtime.
Heat tolerance is just one of many factors that influence brush performance. If you’re looking to improve consistency, reduce downtime, or better understand which materials fit your application, we’re here to help.
Explore more insights, tools, and resources from Schaefer Brush — or reach out to our team if you’d like guidance on selecting the right brush material for your process.
Contact us at sales@schaeferbrush.com or call 262-547-3500
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Ellahttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngElla2026-02-04 14:43:332026-02-04 14:43:36Understanding Heat Tolerance in Brush Materials
In heavy industrial environments, downtime often traces back to buildup—dust, fines, overspray, or residue accumulating in places that are hard to access and harder to clean once production stops. The right brush selection plays a direct role in preventing these interruptions by enabling frequent, low-impact cleaning that keeps systems operating as designed.
Where Brush Design Makes the Difference
Three common maintenance challenges highlight where brush attributes matter most:
Conveyor cleaning in dusty operations
Enclosed overhead conveyor systems
Condenser tube maintenance
Conveyor Cleaning: Keeping Dust Under Control
SVECO conveyor cleaning systems are designed to clean the top of the belt, the underside, or both. These systems are widely used in mining and bulk-material handling environments where airborne dust and fines settle into moving components.
In these applications, brushes must balance durability with controlled contact. Excessive stiffness increases wear on belts and structures, while insufficient contact allows buildup to continue.
Key brush attributes that reduce downtime:
Filament stiffness tuned to dust type: Fine, dry dust requires different resistance than heavier particulate. Filament diameter and material selection determine whether debris is swept away or compacted further.
Consistent filament recovery: Brushes that maintain shape over time provide even cleaning pressure, reducing the need for adjustment or replacement.
Chemical and abrasion resistance: Mining environments introduce moisture, abrasives, and temperature swings that degrade low-grade materials.
Mounting compatibility: Brushes must integrate into existing SVECO frames without introducing alignment or tracking issues.
When brushes are selected for the actual debris profile and belt condition, routine conveyor cleaning can occur during operation, preventing shutdowns caused by excessive accumulation.
Enclosed Overhead Conveyor Systems: Channel Sweeps for Continuous Cleaning
Channel sweeps are purpose-designed by Schaefer Brush to clean enclosed overhead conveyor chain systems. These systems are common in paint lines and finishing operations, where overspray, dust, and residue collect inside enclosed tracks.
Without regular cleaning, buildup inside these channels leads to chain drag, inconsistent movement, and contamination risks downstream.
Design attributes that matter:
Profile-matched brush geometry: Channel sweeps are engineered to match the internal dimensions of the enclosure, ensuring contact with accumulation zones while avoiding interference with moving components.
Controlled filament density: Dense enough to remove buildup, open enough to prevent clogging.
Material compatibility with coatings: Filaments must withstand paint solids, solvents, and temperature exposure without shedding or degrading.
Low-maintenance installation: Brushes are positioned for ongoing cleaning as the system runs, reducing the need for manual intervention.
By keeping enclosed channels clear, these brushes prevent the gradual performance loss that often leads to extended line shutdowns.
Condenser Tubes: Protecting Heat Transfer Efficiency
Condenser tube brushes are a straightforward example of downtime prevention through routine maintenance. Heat transfer efficiency declines as scale, biological growth, or debris coats internal tube surfaces. Left unaddressed, this buildup leads to reduced performance, higher energy use, and unplanned outages.
Brush characteristics that support uptime
Accurate diameter sizing: Proper tube contact removes deposits without damaging tube walls.
Material selection based on tube composition: Brass, stainless, nylon, or specialty filaments are selected to match tube metallurgy and fouling type.
Repeatable cleaning performance: Brushes designed for regular use maintain tube cleanliness, extending service intervals and reducing emergency shutdowns.
Ease of handling: Straightforward use supports consistent maintenance schedules rather than deferred cleaning.
Downtime Reduction Starts with Brush Design
Across conveyors, enclosed systems, and heat-exchange equipment, the pattern is consistent: brushes designed for the application reduce the need for reactive maintenance. Filament selection, geometry, and material compatibility determine whether cleaning can occur as part of normal operation or only after production stops.
Selecting brushes based on environment, debris type, and system constraints turns maintenance into a preventive process rather than a disruptive one.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Ellahttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngElla2025-12-23 17:39:062025-12-23 17:39:08Reducing Maintenance Downtime Through Purpose-Built Brush Design
Before choosing a brush, we need to understand the conditions it must withstand. This ensures the brush performs well and avoids premature wear or material failure.
Temperature:
o Will it operate in high heat,cold environments, or frequent temperature fluctuations?
o Do heat cycles affect the material’s stability or stiffness requirements?
Moisture level:
o Dry environment, occasional moisture, or continuous exposure?
o Will it be submerged or exposed to steam?
Chemical exposure:
o Are there solvents, sanitation chemicals, resins, oils, acidic cleaners, or CIP cycles involved?
o Which materials must resist corrosion or degradation?
2. Surface Being Cleaned
Understanding the surface guides filament selection, aggressiveness, and brush geometry.
o What material is the surface? (Stainless steel, copper, plastic, ceramic, aluminum, etc.)
o Is the surface smooth, polished, soft, or already damaged?
o Does it require gentle treatment, or can it tolerate an aggressive filament?
Example: For stainless steel pipes in plastic extrusion, a clean, polished surface prevents plastic from sticking. If the pipes are in good condition, brass filaments protect the finish. If the surface is already badly scratched or worn, stainless steel filaments may be more effective
3. Material Being Removed
The type of debris directly influences filament stiffness and brush style.
o What is being cleaned off the surface?
· Burnt plastic, carbon, powders, oxidation, metal fines, grease, residue, scale, etc.
o Is the residue soft or hardened?
o Is repeat buildup expected?
4. Contamination Concerns
Some applications require strict control over what the brush leaves behind.
o Do we need to prevent metal transfer, shedding, or cross-contamination?
o Will trace metal from the brush interfere with the process?
o Are there sparking concerns?
· If a spark-free environment is required, only select non-sparking materials such as brass, phosphor bronze, certain polymers, or natural fibers.
5. Regulatory or Safety Requirements
Some industries restrict what materials can be used.
o Food-contact or food-adjacent applications:
· Only certain filaments and core materials are appropriate.
· Stainless steel, specific nylons, and FDA-compliant materials may be required.
o Hazardous environments:
· Non-sparking materials may be mandatory.
o Static-sensitive environments:
· Conductive or anti-static filaments may be needed.
6. Brush Geometry and Construction
Once the application details are known, geometry can be tailored for performance
o Stem/wire size
o Diameter and overall length
o Filament density
o Trim length
o Aggressiveness vs. surface protection
7. Putting It Together
Brush selection balances all of the above:
o The environment determines what materials will survive.
o The surface determines how gentle or aggressive we can be.
o The material being removed determines filament stiffness and style.
o Safety and regulatory needs narrow down material options.
This is why two applications that look similar often require very different brushes—every detail affects performance, durability, and the quality of the finished surface.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Ellahttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngElla2025-12-11 21:34:082025-12-11 21:34:09Key Factors in Selecting the Right Industrial Brush
Schaefer Brush’s approach to safety in the workplace is inclusive and adaptive, meaning anyone can have a positive impact on safety at any given time. The safety culture in the workplace is set up so that any employee can bring up a concern or suggestion for improvement whenever they feel it is needed.
However, safety in the workplace is never quite perfect. As the business grows and the number of machines in the building increases, the safety of the building must be constantly assessed, taking in factors like noise, walking room, and the ability to view signs that indicate any tools that may be needed in case of an emergency.
Overall, the approach to safety at Schaefer Brush is constantly working towards improvements. This is why Engineering and Quality Manager, Erin Clay, describes safety in the workplace culture as our “Number one priority.”
How are we Constantly Improving Safety in the Workplace?
Again, anyone can have a positive impact on safety. If an employee has specific questions or concerns about their safety or others, our team at Schaefer Brush immediately gets to work to improve the workplace as soon as possible. Our employees have a big say and take responsibility to report problems they may have. The culture of safety within Schaefer Brush makes sure no one is scared to speak up about a suggestion that could remove the possibility of an injury.
Erin Clay states, “We try hard to address issues right away”
Why does Effective Training Matter?
An effective process of training both new and existing employees has been cautiously thought through. As soon as a new worker starts their first day, they are given a basic building safety tour and emergency procedures walk through. They are shown where all fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, exits, and severe weather shelters are. Some employees are trained in forklift, fire extinguisher, chemical, and electrical safety as well. Each machine operator also is trained specifically for each machine that they will be operating, to prevent any confusion that risks injury.
Refresher training is also provided for forklifts and fire extinguishers when required. General safety refreshers are provided to employees when needed, if there are ever concerns with safety risks or corners being cut.
SAFETY COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT
“To Provide a Safe and Healthful Work Environment through the Involvement of Management and Employees”
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Ellahttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngElla2025-10-10 18:53:142025-11-20 21:14:05Schaefer Brush's "Number One Priority"
The 8138 series is a series of welder brushes with different filament materials that each serve a different purpose. Each plastic handle is filled with wire filament and stapled to the head of the brush on one side.
Schaefer Brush is a leading American manufacturer of these brushes. This machine can make 10,000 brushes per shift. The plastic handles with ergonomic finger grooves make the handle ideal for grip and precision in harder to reach areas. This design factor is important because welding brushes need stability and precision for the jobs they are used in.
What different Filament Types are there?
There are 7 different filament types, each serving its own purpose and use in different industries.
Aluminum
Brass
Bronze
Carbon Steel
Horsehair
Nylon
Stainless Steel
How do I Match a Filament to a Task?
When selecting a scratch brush filament, consider:
Material compatibility (to avoid contamination or damage)
Welding brushes are essential tools for surface preparation, cleaning, and finishing in metalworking. The type of filament used in a scratch brush directly affects its performance, durability, and suitability for specific tasks. Here’s a breakdown of common filament types and their best-use scenarios:
Aluminum Wire Best for: Lightweight cleaning of non-ferrous metals Why use it: Softer than steel, reduces surface damage Non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant Lightweight and easy to handle Applications: Aircraft and automotive components Non-ferrous metal cleaning Surface prep without contamination
Brass Wire Best for: Gentle cleaning of many metals Why use it: Softer than steel Non-sparking Won’t scratch softer metals Applications: Electrical components Soft metal surfaces
Bronze Wire Best for: Non-sparking cleaning of soft to medium metals Why use it: Medium abrasiveness for effective cleaning High corrosion resistance Conductive but non-magnetic Applications: Oil & gas equipment cleaning Marine surface prep Electrical component maintenance
Steel Wire Best for: General cleaning of surfaces, light rust and dirt removal, surface preparation Why use it: Consistent brushing action Heat-resistant Applications: Carbon steel surfaces Weld seam cleaning Removing paint or rust
Stainless Steel Wire Best for: Non-contaminating cleaning on stainless and non-ferrous metals Why use it: Corrosion-resistant Non-reactive with stainless steel Maintains surface integrity Applications: Stainless steel welds Aluminum and brass cleaning Food-grade and medical equipment prep
Horsehair Best for: Dusting, polishing, and fine cleaning Why use it: Extremely gentle on delicate surfaces Non-sparking and non-conductive Ideal for organic and sensitive materials Applications: Glass and wood cleaning Soft metal polishing Art restoration and optics maintenance
Nylon Filament Best for: Light-duty cleaning, polishing, and deburring Why use it: Flexible and non-abrasive Safe for most delicate surfaces Applications: Plastic and wood surfaces Light rust or paint removal Surface finishing and prep
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Ellahttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngElla2025-10-03 19:20:572025-11-20 21:15:35Schaefer Brush Series 8138 Overview
For more than a century, Schaefer Brush has built brushes that power industries forward. While our catalog offers hundreds of proven designs, many projects demand something entirely unique. That’s where our custom brush capabilities deliver exceptional value.
Our work in the OEM sector, particularly in the HVAC industry, showcases our ability to design brushes that integrate seamlessly into specialized equipment. Whether the need is a unique diameter for tube cleaning or a brush that’s completely non-sparking, we engineer solutions that others can’t match.
Solving Unique Industry Challenges
Every custom project starts with a problem that can’t be solved off the shelf. Schaefer Brush has partnered with customers to:
Design brushes for automated processes that require exact fit and performance.
Replace obsolete brushes so customers can maintain legacy equipment without costly redesigns.
Experiment with different filament types to identify the optimal material for cleaning or finishing specific surfaces.
Improve cleaning efficiency with tailored materials and measurements for targeted results.
Material Expertise You Can Count On
Our supply network is as diverse as the industries we serve. Schaefer Brush can source and work with materials ranging from inconel and food-grade nylons to special animal fibers and high-performance alloys.
We frequently manufacture with:
High-temperature filaments for extreme environments.
Non-sparking materials for hazardous conditions.
Corrosion-resistant metals for long-term durability.
With over a century of experience, our team guides customers toward the best materials for their application, ensuring reliability, performance, and safety.
A Clear Process from Concept to Delivery
Our custom brush process is designed for precision:
Concept & Drawings – For new customers, we require technical drawings to ensure accuracy. Existing customers may access our in-house engineering for design assistance.
Specification Refinement – Collaborating to confirm material choice, filament density, and brush geometry.
Prototype (as needed) – Offered for large-scale or critical applications.
Manufacturing – All work is completed in our Wisconsin facility, ensuring quality control.
Delivery – Typical lead time is 4–6 weeks for design, with final delivery in up to 12 weeks depending on material availability.
Why Customers Choose Schaefer Brush
Over 100 years of manufacturing expertise.
Made in the USA with full in-house production.
Ability to support both small and large production runs.
Custom packaging, labeling, and pad printing services.
A team that is big enough to handle complex projects yet small enough to prioritize mid-size orders.
When a standard brush won’t work, Schaefer Brush delivers a solution that will. From HVAC OEMs to specialized industrial applications, we bring the experience, materials, and manufacturing capabilities to create brushes that perform exactly as needed.
Schaefer Brush — Custom-Made to Fit Your Challenge.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/LinkedIn-1600-x-900-px.png9001600Amy Linzmeyer-Jelinekhttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngAmy Linzmeyer-Jelinek2025-08-25 21:50:132025-08-25 21:53:24Precision for Every Application: Schaefer Brush’s Custom Brush Solutions
Cylinder brushes have played a crucial role in industrial and commercial applications for over a century. Their versatile design and adaptability have enabled a wide range of uses across various industries. Check out the inside cover page in the collage image. It’s pulled from the 1952 E Gornell & Sons (“Gornell Brush”) catalog. Although we’re not sure now what those huge cylinder brushes next to Mr. Gornell were for, we can bet they were used in either industrial, manufacturing or food processing applications.
Early 20th Century: Manufacturing and Textile Processing
In the early 1900s, cylinder brushes were integral to the burgeoning industrial revolution. Textile mills relied on them for cleaning, carding, and processing fabrics faster than human hands alone could. Their rotating action helped remove lint and dust from fabric surfaces, ensuring smooth production lines.
In paper manufacturing, cylinder brushes cleaned and conditioned rollers, maintaining product quality and reducing downtime. Even today, brushes are utilized in paper mills for cleaning and processing applications.
Mid-20th Century: Agricultural and Food Processing
By the mid-1900s, agriculture and food processing industries embraced cylinder brushes. In agricultural machinery, these brushes cleaned harvested crops like potatoes, carrots, and beets, removing soil and debris before packaging.
In food processing plants, cylinder brushes cleaned conveyor belts and sorted produce, enhancing sanitation and efficiency. Many of these processes are still in use in agriculture today!
Late 20th Century: Automotive and Metalworking
The rise of the automotive industry in the latter half of the century saw cylinder brushes being used in car manufacturing plants. They cleaned and polished metal parts, removed burrs from machined components, and prepared surfaces for painting.
Although not cylinder brushes specifically, there are also beam sweep brushes used to clean off the tracks on the paint line. Schaefer Brush offers many of these brushes for overhead conveyor systems to reduce downtime by cleaning the track constantly.
Similarly, in metalworking, cylinder brushes have been used for deburring, polishing, and surface finishing, contributing to precision engineering. Surface prep and finishing is still one area where high-quality brushes are demanded to ensure a high-quality product.
Early 21st Century: Environmental and Industrial Cleaning
As environmental concerns grew in the 21st century, cylinder brushes found applications in eco-friendly cleaning technologies. Street-sweeping machines equipped with these brushes cleaned urban areas, reducing pollution and improving public hygiene.
In industrial cleaning, they were used in large-scale facilities for scrubbing floors, conveyor belts, and production equipment.
Present Day: Advanced Manufacturing and Specialized Applications
Today, cylinder brushes continue to be found useful with advancements in material science and automation. They are designed with specialized bristles to handle unique tasks in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and medical device manufacturing.
Their precision in cleaning delicate surfaces, applying coatings, and managing high-speed production lines highlights their enduring relevance.
Takeaways
Over the past century, cylinder brushes have adapted to meet the changing needs of various industries. From textile processing and agricultural cleaning to automotive production and modern industrial applications, their versatility has stood the test of time.
As technology advances, the future of cylinder brushes promises even more innovative applications, driven by new materials and automation technologies. Here at Schaefer Brush, we’re keeping up with the latest technology to ensure we can provide cost-effective and high-quality solutions to ensure we are offering our customers the best in the industry.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/cylinder-brush-article-picture.png7201280Amy Linzmeyer-Jelinekhttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngAmy Linzmeyer-Jelinek2024-12-17 09:41:002024-12-23 21:48:09From Industry Roots to Modern Innovations: The Legacy of Cylinder Brushes
Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are designed to deliver superior cleaning performance, especially in industrial applications like condenser cleaning. These brushes are built with specialized features, making them an ideal choice for achieving better results compared to traditional cleaning tools.
What Are Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes?
These brushes are crafted with a single stem construction and silicon carbide and nylon coextruded bristles. The silicon carbide throughout the filaments provide exceptional durability and abrasive power, which are ideal for cleaning tasks that require more than just a regular scrub. The bristles in these brushes are uniquely designed to be oversized. This allows the long bristles to bend over during use, ensuring that the aggressive filaments come into maximum contact with the surface to be cleaned.
In addition to the long bristles, our Spin-Clean brushes feature short bristles strategically positioned to reach into the grooves, ensuring thorough cleaning of every part of the surface, including difficult-to-reach areas.
Applications and Benefits
Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are ideal for cleaning and maintaining condenser tubes. Specifically, the design of these brushes makes them perfect for brass tubes. Their unique bristle structure allows for superior contact with the lands and grooves of the tube, resulting in better cleaning performance.
Some of the benefits of these brushes include:
Increased Surface Contact: The oversized bristles allow the filaments to lay over and make more aggressive contact with the surface, providing enhanced cleaning capabilities.
Longer Lifespan: The durable coextruded silicon carbide and nylon bristles offer longer life than conventional brushes, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Efficient Cleaning: The long bristles contact the surface aggressively, while the short bristles reach into the grooves for a complete clean.
These features combine to provide a cleaner surface with fewer passes, reducing cleaning time and improving overall efficiency.
Why Choose Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes?
Compared to conventional brushes, Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes offer several distinct advantages:
Aggressive Cleaning: The bending bristles and coextruded silicon carbide and nylon filaments work together to remove stubborn contaminants.
Durability: These brushes last longer than traditional cleaning brushes, reducing maintenance costs.
Precision Cleaning: With the combination of long and short bristles, these brushes can clean both flat surfaces and deep grooves, providing thorough cleaning without damage to the surface.
For businesses seeking to improve cleaning efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are an excellent investment. With enhanced design and superior materials, they outperform traditional brushes, providing long-lasting, reliable cleaning solutions for a range of industrial needs.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/spin-grit-article-picture.png7201280Amy Linzmeyer-Jelinekhttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngAmy Linzmeyer-Jelinek2024-11-21 11:12:002024-12-23 21:54:41Enhanced Cleaning with Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes
At Schaefer Brush, we’re excited to expand our capabilities to offer even better burr brushes. These power tube brushes with blunt ends are essential for cleaning out blind holes—those hard-to-reach areas in machining, manufacturing, and maintenance.
We’ve made significant advancements in both materials and manufacturing processes. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials, we’ve enhanced the durability and effectiveness of our burr brushes. This ensures they deliver consistent, reliable performance even in the most demanding environments.
Key features of our enhanced burr brushes include:
Blunt ends: Crafted to clean thoroughly without damaging inner surfaces.
High-quality materials: Engineered for long-lasting durability.
Precision design: Optimized bristle configuration for superior cleaning.
Made in the USA: Manufactured in our Waukesha facility to our exacting specifications.
Schaefer Brush is committed to providing solutions that redefine industry standards. Our expanded range of burr brushes is just one way we’re helping our customers achieve greater precision and efficiency in their operations.
For more information, send an email to info@schaeferbrush.com.
https://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.png00Amy Linzmeyer-Jelinekhttps://schaeferbrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/schaefer_brush_logo-300x138.pngAmy Linzmeyer-Jelinek2024-08-20 21:22:432024-08-20 21:22:44Improved Capabilities at Schaefer Brush
Industrial brushes are manufactured with filaments specifically made to help you with industrial and commercial debris removal and cleaning. At Schaefer Brush, we ensure that each brush is crafted using industrial quality and long-lasting filaments with tradesmen, manufacturers and maintenance professionals in mind.
Choosing the right brush filament can seem daunting at first, especially with so many options available from which to choose. We’ve crafted a list of different brush filament options for you so that you can decide which brush is the best fit for you!
Schaefer Brush Names New President and CEO
/0 Comments/in Corporate, News /by Michelle SwiniarskiSchaefer Brush Manufacturing, LLC is pleased to announce that its Board has appointed Gonzalo Martinez as President and Chief Executive Officer effective December 1, 2021.
Understanding Heat Tolerance in Brush Materials
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by EllaWhen you’re evaluating industrial brushes for manufacturing, maintenance, or production workflows, one factor plays a much bigger role than most people realize: heat tolerance.
Whether you’re cleaning parts, prepping surfaces, or integrating brushes into automated equipment, the temperature of your operating environment directly impacts how your tools perform. Choosing the wrong material can lead to premature wear, deformation, or even system downtime.
At Schaefer Brush, we help manufacturers and engineers alike understand what goes into selecting the right brush, which starts with material science. Below is a simple overview to help you navigate one of the most important performance characteristics: how much heat a material can handle before its integrity changes.
Why Does Heat Tolerance Matter?
Every brush material has a threshold where it begins to soften, warp, or lose rigidity. Once this happens, a brush may:
By understanding the basics of heat tolerance, teams can make more informed decisions long before they get into detailed engineering specs.
Melting Point by Material: A Quick Breakdown
Here’s a simplified look at the temperature resistance of common brush materials:
Polypropylene ~ 320°F
Polystyrene ~ 350°F
Nylon 6 ~ 410°F
Nylon 6.6 ~ 495°F
Bronze Alloys ~ 900°F
Stainless Steel – Up to ~1400°F
Matching Material to Application: Where to Start
If you’re exploring brush options for the first time or simply want to improve the performance of your current process, begin with these questions:
Understanding these baseline conditions helps narrow down the right material early in the decision process.
Know the Basics Before You Select a Brush
Great performance starts long before a brush reaches the production floor.
It begins with awareness, which means understanding the fundamental differences between materials and how heat affects them.
As you continue exploring brush options, keep heat tolerance in mind as a foundational selection factor. With the right material, you can improve consistency, extend tool life, and reduce unexpected downtime.
Heat tolerance is just one of many factors that influence brush performance. If you’re looking to improve consistency, reduce downtime, or better understand which materials fit your application, we’re here to help.
Explore more insights, tools, and resources from Schaefer Brush — or reach out to our team if you’d like guidance on selecting the right brush material for your process.
Contact us at sales@schaeferbrush.com or call 262-547-3500
Reducing Maintenance Downtime Through Purpose-Built Brush Design
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by EllaIn heavy industrial environments, downtime often traces back to buildup—dust, fines, overspray, or residue accumulating in places that are hard to access and harder to clean once production stops. The right brush selection plays a direct role in preventing these interruptions by enabling frequent, low-impact cleaning that keeps systems operating as designed.
Where Brush Design Makes the Difference
Three common maintenance challenges highlight where brush attributes matter most:
Conveyor Cleaning: Keeping Dust Under Control
SVECO conveyor cleaning systems are designed to clean the top of the belt, the underside, or both. These systems are widely used in mining and bulk-material handling environments where airborne dust and fines settle into moving components.
In these applications, brushes must balance durability with controlled contact. Excessive stiffness increases wear on belts and structures, while insufficient contact allows buildup to continue.
Key brush attributes that reduce downtime:
When brushes are selected for the actual debris profile and belt condition, routine conveyor cleaning can occur during operation, preventing shutdowns caused by excessive accumulation.
Enclosed Overhead Conveyor Systems: Channel Sweeps for Continuous Cleaning
Channel sweeps are purpose-designed by Schaefer Brush to clean enclosed overhead conveyor chain systems. These systems are common in paint lines and finishing operations, where overspray, dust, and residue collect inside enclosed tracks.
Without regular cleaning, buildup inside these channels leads to chain drag, inconsistent movement, and contamination risks downstream.
Design attributes that matter:
By keeping enclosed channels clear, these brushes prevent the gradual performance loss that often leads to extended line shutdowns.
Condenser Tubes: Protecting Heat Transfer Efficiency
Condenser tube brushes are a straightforward example of downtime prevention through routine maintenance. Heat transfer efficiency declines as scale, biological growth, or debris coats internal tube surfaces. Left unaddressed, this buildup leads to reduced performance, higher energy use, and unplanned outages.
Brush characteristics that support uptime
Downtime Reduction Starts with Brush Design
Across conveyors, enclosed systems, and heat-exchange equipment, the pattern is consistent: brushes designed for the application reduce the need for reactive maintenance. Filament selection, geometry, and material compatibility determine whether cleaning can occur as part of normal operation or only after production stops.
Selecting brushes based on environment, debris type, and system constraints turns maintenance into a preventive process rather than a disruptive one.
Key Factors in Selecting the Right Industrial Brush
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by Ella1. Operating Environment
Before choosing a brush, we need to understand the conditions it must withstand. This ensures the brush performs well and avoids premature wear or material failure.
Temperature:
o Will it operate in high heat, cold environments, or frequent temperature fluctuations?
o Do heat cycles affect the material’s stability or stiffness requirements?
Moisture level:
o Dry environment, occasional moisture, or continuous exposure?
o Will it be submerged or exposed to steam?
Chemical exposure:
o Are there solvents, sanitation chemicals, resins, oils, acidic cleaners, or CIP cycles involved?
o Which materials must resist corrosion or degradation?
2. Surface Being Cleaned
Understanding the surface guides filament selection, aggressiveness, and brush geometry.
o What material is the surface? (Stainless steel, copper, plastic, ceramic, aluminum, etc.)
o Is the surface smooth, polished, soft, or already damaged?
o Does it require gentle treatment, or can it tolerate an aggressive filament?
Example: For stainless steel pipes in plastic extrusion, a clean, polished surface prevents plastic from sticking. If the pipes are in good condition, brass filaments protect the finish. If the surface is already badly scratched or worn, stainless steel filaments may be more effective
3. Material Being Removed
The type of debris directly influences filament stiffness and brush style.
o What is being cleaned off the surface?
· Burnt plastic, carbon, powders, oxidation, metal fines, grease, residue, scale, etc.
o Is the residue soft or hardened?
o Is repeat buildup expected?
4. Contamination Concerns
Some applications require strict control over what the brush leaves behind.
o Do we need to prevent metal transfer, shedding, or cross-contamination?
o Will trace metal from the brush interfere with the process?
o Are there sparking concerns?
· If a spark-free environment is required, only select non-sparking materials such as brass, phosphor bronze, certain polymers, or natural fibers.
5. Regulatory or Safety Requirements
Some industries restrict what materials can be used.
o Food-contact or food-adjacent applications:
· Only certain filaments and core materials are appropriate.
· Stainless steel, specific nylons, and FDA-compliant materials may be required.
o Hazardous environments:
· Non-sparking materials may be mandatory.
o Static-sensitive environments:
· Conductive or anti-static filaments may be needed.
6. Brush Geometry and Construction
Once the application details are known, geometry can be tailored for performance
o Stem/wire size
o Diameter and overall length
o Filament density
o Trim length
o Aggressiveness vs. surface protection
7. Putting It Together
Brush selection balances all of the above:
o The environment determines what materials will survive.
o The surface determines how gentle or aggressive we can be.
o The material being removed determines filament stiffness and style.
o Safety and regulatory needs narrow down material options.
This is why two applications that look similar often require very different brushes—every detail affects performance, durability, and the quality of the finished surface.
Schaefer Brush’s “Number One Priority”
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by EllaWhat is our Safety Culture like?
Schaefer Brush’s approach to safety in the workplace is inclusive and adaptive, meaning anyone can have a positive impact on safety at any given time. The safety culture in the workplace is set up so that any employee can bring up a concern or suggestion for improvement whenever they feel it is needed.
However, safety in the workplace is never quite perfect. As the business grows and the number of machines in the building increases, the safety of the building must be constantly assessed, taking in factors like noise, walking room, and the ability to view signs that indicate any tools that may be needed in case of an emergency.
Overall, the approach to safety at Schaefer Brush is constantly working towards improvements. This is why Engineering and Quality Manager, Erin Clay, describes safety in the workplace culture as our “Number one priority.”
How are we Constantly Improving Safety in the Workplace?
Again, anyone can have a positive impact on safety. If an employee has specific questions or concerns about their safety or others, our team at Schaefer Brush immediately gets to work to improve the workplace as soon as possible. Our employees have a big say and take responsibility to report problems they may have. The culture of safety within Schaefer Brush makes sure no one is scared to speak up about a suggestion that could remove the possibility of an injury.
Erin Clay states, “We try hard to address issues right away”
Why does Effective Training Matter?
An effective process of training both new and existing employees has been cautiously thought through. As soon as a new worker starts their first day, they are given a basic building safety tour and emergency procedures walk through. They are shown where all fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, exits, and severe weather shelters are. Some employees are trained in forklift, fire extinguisher, chemical, and electrical safety as well. Each machine operator also is trained specifically for each machine that they will be operating, to prevent any confusion that risks injury.
Refresher training is also provided for forklifts and fire extinguishers when required. General safety refreshers are provided to employees when needed, if there are ever concerns with safety risks or corners being cut.
SAFETY COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT
“To Provide a Safe and Healthful Work Environment through the Involvement of Management and Employees”
Schaefer Brush Series 8138 Overview
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by EllaWhat is the 8138 Series?
The 8138 series is a series of welder brushes with different filament materials that each serve a different purpose. Each plastic handle is filled with wire filament and stapled to the head of the brush on one side.
Schaefer Brush is a leading American manufacturer of these brushes. This machine can make 10,000 brushes per shift. The plastic handles with ergonomic finger grooves make the handle ideal for grip and precision in harder to reach areas. This design factor is important because welding brushes need stability and precision for the jobs they are used in.
What different Filament Types are there?
There are 7 different filament types, each serving its own purpose and use in different industries.
How do I Match a Filament to a Task?
When selecting a scratch brush filament, consider:
Applications of Filaments
Welding brushes are essential tools for surface preparation, cleaning, and finishing in metalworking. The type of filament used in a scratch brush directly affects its performance, durability, and suitability for specific tasks. Here’s a breakdown of common filament types and their best-use scenarios:
Best for: Lightweight cleaning of non-ferrous metals
Why use it:
Softer than steel, reduces surface damage
Non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant
Lightweight and easy to handle
Applications:
Aircraft and automotive components
Non-ferrous metal cleaning
Surface prep without contamination
Best for: Gentle cleaning of many metals
Why use it:
Softer than steel
Non-sparking
Won’t scratch softer metals
Applications:
Electrical components
Soft metal surfaces
Best for: Non-sparking cleaning of soft to medium metals
Why use it:
Medium abrasiveness for effective cleaning
High corrosion resistance
Conductive but non-magnetic
Applications:
Oil & gas equipment cleaning
Marine surface prep
Electrical component maintenance
Best for: General cleaning of surfaces, light rust and dirt removal, surface preparation
Why use it:
Consistent brushing action
Heat-resistant
Applications:
Carbon steel surfaces
Weld seam cleaning
Removing paint or rust
Best for: Non-contaminating cleaning on stainless and non-ferrous metals
Why use it:
Corrosion-resistant
Non-reactive with stainless steel
Maintains surface integrity
Applications:
Stainless steel welds
Aluminum and brass cleaning
Food-grade and medical equipment prep
Best for: Dusting, polishing, and fine cleaning
Why use it:
Extremely gentle on delicate surfaces
Non-sparking and non-conductive
Ideal for organic and sensitive materials
Applications:
Glass and wood cleaning
Soft metal polishing
Art restoration and optics maintenance
Best for: Light-duty cleaning, polishing, and deburring
Why use it:
Flexible and non-abrasive
Safe for most delicate surfaces
Applications:
Plastic and wood surfaces
Light rust or paint removal
Surface finishing and prep
Precision for Every Application: Schaefer Brush’s Custom Brush Solutions
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by Amy Linzmeyer-JelinekFor more than a century, Schaefer Brush has built brushes that power industries forward. While our catalog offers hundreds of proven designs, many projects demand something entirely unique. That’s where our custom brush capabilities deliver exceptional value.
Our work in the OEM sector, particularly in the HVAC industry, showcases our ability to design brushes that integrate seamlessly into specialized equipment. Whether the need is a unique diameter for tube cleaning or a brush that’s completely non-sparking, we engineer solutions that others can’t match.
Solving Unique Industry Challenges
Every custom project starts with a problem that can’t be solved off the shelf. Schaefer Brush has partnered with customers to:
Material Expertise You Can Count On
Our supply network is as diverse as the industries we serve. Schaefer Brush can source and work with materials ranging from inconel and food-grade nylons to special animal fibers and high-performance alloys.
We frequently manufacture with:
With over a century of experience, our team guides customers toward the best materials for their application, ensuring reliability, performance, and safety.
A Clear Process from Concept to Delivery
Our custom brush process is designed for precision:
Why Customers Choose Schaefer Brush
When a standard brush won’t work, Schaefer Brush delivers a solution that will. From HVAC OEMs to specialized industrial applications, we bring the experience, materials, and manufacturing capabilities to create brushes that perform exactly as needed.
Schaefer Brush — Custom-Made to Fit Your Challenge.
From Industry Roots to Modern Innovations: The Legacy of Cylinder Brushes
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by Amy Linzmeyer-JelinekCylinder brushes have played a crucial role in industrial and commercial applications for over a century. Their versatile design and adaptability have enabled a wide range of uses across various industries. Check out the inside cover page in the collage image. It’s pulled from the 1952 E Gornell & Sons (“Gornell Brush”) catalog. Although we’re not sure now what those huge cylinder brushes next to Mr. Gornell were for, we can bet they were used in either industrial, manufacturing or food processing applications.
Early 20th Century: Manufacturing and Textile Processing
In the early 1900s, cylinder brushes were integral to the burgeoning industrial revolution. Textile mills relied on them for cleaning, carding, and processing fabrics faster than human hands alone could. Their rotating action helped remove lint and dust from fabric surfaces, ensuring smooth production lines.
In paper manufacturing, cylinder brushes cleaned and conditioned rollers, maintaining product quality and reducing downtime. Even today, brushes are utilized in paper mills for cleaning and processing applications.
Mid-20th Century: Agricultural and Food Processing
By the mid-1900s, agriculture and food processing industries embraced cylinder brushes. In agricultural machinery, these brushes cleaned harvested crops like potatoes, carrots, and beets, removing soil and debris before packaging.
In food processing plants, cylinder brushes cleaned conveyor belts and sorted produce, enhancing sanitation and efficiency. Many of these processes are still in use in agriculture today!
Late 20th Century: Automotive and Metalworking
The rise of the automotive industry in the latter half of the century saw cylinder brushes being used in car manufacturing plants. They cleaned and polished metal parts, removed burrs from machined components, and prepared surfaces for painting.
Although not cylinder brushes specifically, there are also beam sweep brushes used to clean off the tracks on the paint line. Schaefer Brush offers many of these brushes for overhead conveyor systems to reduce downtime by cleaning the track constantly.
Similarly, in metalworking, cylinder brushes have been used for deburring, polishing, and surface finishing, contributing to precision engineering. Surface prep and finishing is still one area where high-quality brushes are demanded to ensure a high-quality product.
Early 21st Century: Environmental and Industrial Cleaning
As environmental concerns grew in the 21st century, cylinder brushes found applications in eco-friendly cleaning technologies. Street-sweeping machines equipped with these brushes cleaned urban areas, reducing pollution and improving public hygiene.
In industrial cleaning, they were used in large-scale facilities for scrubbing floors, conveyor belts, and production equipment.
Present Day: Advanced Manufacturing and Specialized Applications
Today, cylinder brushes continue to be found useful with advancements in material science and automation. They are designed with specialized bristles to handle unique tasks in industries such as aerospace, electronics, and medical device manufacturing.
Their precision in cleaning delicate surfaces, applying coatings, and managing high-speed production lines highlights their enduring relevance.
Takeaways
Over the past century, cylinder brushes have adapted to meet the changing needs of various industries. From textile processing and agricultural cleaning to automotive production and modern industrial applications, their versatility has stood the test of time.
As technology advances, the future of cylinder brushes promises even more innovative applications, driven by new materials and automation technologies. Here at Schaefer Brush, we’re keeping up with the latest technology to ensure we can provide cost-effective and high-quality solutions to ensure we are offering our customers the best in the industry.
Enhanced Cleaning with Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by Amy Linzmeyer-JelinekSpin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are designed to deliver superior cleaning performance, especially in industrial applications like condenser cleaning. These brushes are built with specialized features, making them an ideal choice for achieving better results compared to traditional cleaning tools.
What Are Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes?
These brushes are crafted with a single stem construction and silicon carbide and nylon coextruded bristles. The silicon carbide throughout the filaments provide exceptional durability and abrasive power, which are ideal for cleaning tasks that require more than just a regular scrub. The bristles in these brushes are uniquely designed to be oversized. This allows the long bristles to bend over during use, ensuring that the aggressive filaments come into maximum contact with the surface to be cleaned.
In addition to the long bristles, our Spin-Clean brushes feature short bristles strategically positioned to reach into the grooves, ensuring thorough cleaning of every part of the surface, including difficult-to-reach areas.
Applications and Benefits
Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are ideal for cleaning and maintaining condenser tubes. Specifically, the design of these brushes makes them perfect for brass tubes. Their unique bristle structure allows for superior contact with the lands and grooves of the tube, resulting in better cleaning performance.
Some of the benefits of these brushes include:
These features combine to provide a cleaner surface with fewer passes, reducing cleaning time and improving overall efficiency.
Why Choose Spin Grit and Spin Clean Brushes?
Compared to conventional brushes, Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes offer several distinct advantages:
For businesses seeking to improve cleaning efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, Spin Grit and Spin Clean brushes are an excellent investment. With enhanced design and superior materials, they outperform traditional brushes, providing long-lasting, reliable cleaning solutions for a range of industrial needs.
Improved Capabilities at Schaefer Brush
/0 Comments/in Corporate /by Amy Linzmeyer-JelinekAt Schaefer Brush, we’re excited to expand our capabilities to offer even better burr brushes. These power tube brushes with blunt ends are essential for cleaning out blind holes—those hard-to-reach areas in machining, manufacturing, and maintenance.
We’ve made significant advancements in both materials and manufacturing processes. By investing in state-of-the-art technology and high-quality materials, we’ve enhanced the durability and effectiveness of our burr brushes. This ensures they deliver consistent, reliable performance even in the most demanding environments.
Key features of our enhanced burr brushes include:
Schaefer Brush is committed to providing solutions that redefine industry standards. Our expanded range of burr brushes is just one way we’re helping our customers achieve greater precision and efficiency in their operations.
For more information, send an email to info@schaeferbrush.com.
How to Choose Your Industrial Brush Filament
/in Conveyor Cleaning, HVAC/Refrigeration, MRO/Industrial, Plumbing /by Michelle SwiniarskiIndustrial brushes are manufactured with filaments specifically made to help you with industrial and commercial debris removal and cleaning. At Schaefer Brush, we ensure that each brush is crafted using industrial quality and long-lasting filaments with tradesmen, manufacturers and maintenance professionals in mind.
Choosing the right brush filament can seem daunting at first, especially with so many options available from which to choose. We’ve crafted a list of different brush filament options for you so that you can decide which brush is the best fit for you!