Schaefer Brush Series 8138 Overview

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What 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.

• 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)
• Cleaning intensity (light vs. aggressive)
• Environmental safety (spark risk, corrosion resistance)

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:

1. 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
   
2. 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
   
3. 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
   
4. 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
   
5. 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
   
6. 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
   
7. 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