I have a set of brushes (Steel wire, brass wire and nylon – lots of different sizes) that have a 1/4 hex shank and I use in my cordless drill to clean holes.

I bought these at an exhibition, but I have seen similar sets offered on the www.

But I expect Radiospares' delivery was quicker!

MCB

When I had machines without the spindle poking safely through change wheel guarding, mostly due to no guards at all, I slid a bit of plastic pipe over the end to make sure stuff dropped clear. Whether I actually found something the right size for an appropriate stiff push fit or made something to adapt the pipe I had to the spindle I now know not.

Leaving it on after cleaning provided opportunities to investigate the self launching and flight characteristics of short, rotating plastic pipes!

Clive

I have fitted one of JAR's devices to the spindle tail on the Myford which has the incidental benefit of clearing the swarf. The device itself is intended to allow long stock to be turned whilst projecting from the spindle tail, a practice which I imagine can otherwise be just as interesting as flying pipe!