If you see a discarded folding umbrella or have a broken one yourself, have a close look. The chances are that the ribs will be made of resin bonded fibres, a splendid resource for pre- finishing recesses and awkward corners of your work.
Pencil length pieces can be used just as they are, with the ends filed to a point or a wedge. Shorter bits cut off with a saw, will also fit into a handpiece, at least they do in mine, or into a clutch pencil for thick 2.0mm leads.
If used in a flex shaft, they can also be loaded with polishing compounds. Dennis.
Many years ago Dennis, I was told as an apprentice to look out for dumped umbrellas. They had steel ribs and frames in those days and the ribs were made from U shaped steel lengths. Our silversmith box and frame makers fitted these straightened U shaped steel lengths over the edges of thin silver boxes and frames to protect the edges and keep them straight when soldering.
Thank you Carole, but not really. It all started when out of curiosity, I bought some Superstones from Sutton Tools. I found them too thin, too scratchy and rather expensive for what they were. http://www.suttontools.co.uk/finishi...er-stones.html.
I was interested in what you said James, because even for the small boxes I have made, they needed some straightening after soldering.
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