| Review by GaryK | posted 241 days ago | 622 views | 0 times favorited | 16 comments | ![]() |
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- Generic Filipino Broom
- Brand: Generic | Category: Other

Not exactly a woodworking tool, but a tool for the shop that everyone needs.
Tired of getting the sawdust out of tight spaces? These little brooms do an amazing job.
In Tagalog they are called a “Walis tambo”, and you can pick them up in most Asian stores and probably Pier 1 Imports.
As far as I know they only come in the longer version, so I just cut one down to use on the bench or tablesaw.
They get into the tightest places, behind, under and around things. They are perfect for cleaning up around the perimeter of the shop and around fixed objects. Once everything is in the middle of the floor is real fast to use the push broom.
These are very light and you can use them with one hand. This allows you to move objects with the other hand. Flat and push brooms both take two hands.
I have been using them for years and I was just in the shop cleaning up when I thought that it’s probably something that most of my fellow lumberjocks didn’t know about, hence this post.
They only cost from $2-$5 and are worth every cent.
Here’s a little video showing just how nice it works:
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-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.


























16 comments so far
GMman
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1370 posts in 597 days
posted 241 days ago
-- --<<<<<< I will not stop until I get it right. >>>>>>--
Napaman
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3495 posts in 977 days
posted 241 days ago
good idea!!!
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
bentlyj
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796 posts in 370 days
posted 241 days ago
Well they must work pretty good, I don’t see a bit of sawdust in that third pic. :)
Gary Fixler
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649 posts in 281 days
posted 241 days ago
Excellent. Definitely useful.
-- Gary, Los Angeles, video game animator
Bob #2
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3056 posts in 921 days
posted 241 days ago
Exactly what I have been looking for.
Thanks Gary.
bob
-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner
Joe Lyddon
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487 posts in 952 days
posted 241 days ago
Nice brush…
-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Alta Loma, CA USA - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?ppuser=1389&cat=500"
Karson
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25873 posts in 1300 days
posted 241 days ago
The floor is too clean Gary.
Nice brush.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
DAN
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6468 posts in 883 days
posted 241 days ago
great tip .. I’ll keep my eye’s open for one
-- work from your heart and your spirit will live forever
kiwi1969
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601 posts in 342 days
posted 241 days ago
Gary we spent years trying to convert filipinos to western style flat brooms. It was a total failure! my only criticism is these tend to flick fine dust up in the air which just settles back where it came from. Fine on chips and pine shavings but terrible for some tropical hardwood dust.
-- if the hand is not working it is not a pure hand
GaryK
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9555 posts in 888 days
posted 241 days ago
kiwi – No broom in the world doesn’t kick up the fine dust. Only a damp cloth or vacuum will totally eliminate that.
I haven’t really had that problem though. Maybe it’s a matter of technique.
Bentlyj – Karson – I did say that I was cleaning the shop when I thought to post these. Of course the floor is clean. :-)
-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.
Douglas Bordner
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3427 posts in 963 days
posted 241 days ago
Great tip, and the price is right! Thanks, Gary.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
degoose
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2026 posts in 254 days
posted 240 days ago
Another tool for the apprentice hey!!
-- Drink once, cut twice. New website up.... lazylarrywoodworks.com.au
Mark Gipson
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63 posts in 280 days
posted 239 days ago
I use brooms like this in Thailand all the time for the shop and house, if you can find one they are well worth buying.
Dusty56
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3518 posts in 588 days
posted 239 days ago
Thanks Gary : )
-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .
ND2ELK
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6238 posts in 674 days
posted 238 days ago
Thanks for the info. Looks like would do a good job. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
sharad
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721 posts in 704 days
posted 232 days ago
During my trip to Kualalampur and Singapur last April I was bent on bringing the brooms for which I was called mad by my family members and friends. I purchased four of them and made a rather odd looking package as the brooms are long and cannot be folded. On arrival home the custom officers were looking with awe at this packet and said they have never seen anybody bringing such goods. When I showed the utility of these brooms to those who scoffed at me, they were sorry for rediculing me. These brooms are really very convenient as you can sweep clean standing. Gary, what you have written above is true. This is a very useful tool in the workshop. I am at ease after seeing this post. The four brooms cost me only US$ 4 .
Sharad
-- patanjali