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making trimming tools

updated sat 29 dec 07

 

Taylor Hendrix on mon 24 dec 07


Wassup My Brothers and Sisters:

I'm going to make a Christmas present for all my peeps at the Pub, but
it is going to have to wait until after Christmas and possibly after
February. See below below for details.

Yesterday I found another great source for trimming steel. It sparks
just like the banding steel I already have, but it is a bit thicker
and in narrower strips. It is the metal spines used for hanging files.
Yummy! While I was waiting for my oh-so-tired kiln to finish an 04
bisque (20 hours! Arnold, I need new elements.), I whipped up a simple
trimming tool with the new steel I found. I ground and burned my first
tang and made my first ferrule. All crude (handle is an old chair
spindle) but serviceable. Man, am I glad that I met the Junk Yard
Dawg, 'cause all it took was for one person to say, "It's easy. You
can do it."

Lee's bamboo trimming tool mention got me to thinking. Dangerous I
know. I've got enough junk around here to make several types of
trimming tools including seasoned bamboo. What do you say I try to
make various types and put them on my blog? That can be my present to
you all: the photographic proof that ANYONE can make her own tools.

Be well everybody, and arrive at your destinations safely.
--
Taylor, in Rockport TX
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/

Tracey Duivestein on fri 28 dec 07


Hi Taylor


>Yesterday I found another great source for trimming steel. It sparks =
just like the banding steel I already have, but it is a bit thicker and =
in narrower strips. It is the metal spines used for hanging files. >


We have been experimenting with the fine metal strip found in windscreen =
wiper blades (the part under the rubber). Again, something from =
nothing. Just needs to be sharpened, but I don't know yet how long it =
will hold its sharpness. Will let you know.

Best wishes to all for a fruitful, prosperous & creative 2008

Tracey

In a warm Hermanus, South Africa - just moved & trying to get used to =
the new climate (more mediterranean than the humid sub-topical I have =
lived in for the pas 20 yrs).

Tom at Hutchtel.net on fri 28 dec 07


If you can find old time banding steel as used in a brick yard. It is of
thicker steel than presently used. Spring steel. You can make a tool on a
grinder and snips. fashion a wood handle for comfort. thousand of pots,
much better than the soft steel used in Dolan tools. Once I got 6 pallets of
brick from New Mexico all wrapped with this stuff. Have been giving it out
for years, now I'm hoarding the little left.

Tom Wirt


>Yesterday I found another great source for trimming steel. It sparks just
>like the banding steel I already have, but it is a bit thicker and in
>narrower strips. It is the metal spines used for hanging files. >


We have been experimenting with the fine metal strip found in windscreen
wiper blades (the part under the rubber). Again, something from nothing.
Just needs to be sharpened, but I don't know yet how long it will hold its
sharpness. Will let you know.

Best wishes to all for a fruitful, prosperous & creative 2008

Tracey

In a warm Hermanus, South Africa - just moved & trying to get used to the
new climate (more mediterranean than the humid sub-topical I have lived in
for the pas 20 yrs).

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