I've seen several of these around the benches of people who's constructional skills I greatly respect.
So, on a recent Amazon order, I added a set of three (various tip angles), for £3.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017MP5CQM/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
All that follows should be read bearing the price upper most in mind.
The construction is a little crude, but errs on the side a robustness, not thinness. The tips are well-enough ground, and the springs much stronger than I expected.
The biggest problem is finish - both the metal and wood parts have a multitude of burred edges and sharp corners, all unpleasant to the hand in use.
Fortunately, as anyone who has done metal work or woodwork can attest, sandpaper and filing requires tremendous care to preserve neat, sharp edges and corners. If you just wish to remove them, almost any old flailing with sandpaper will serve.
I used soft cloth backed 220 grit, which I happen to have, but an old paper backed sheet of 180 grit, with the grain of the paper utterly destroyed with use, would also work well.
The resulting tool is still not a thing of beauty - you'll never mistake it for something made by Lindstrom - but they work well, and are comfortable in hand.
Did I mention they only cost £3.99 for the 3?
BugBear
So, on a recent Amazon order, I added a set of three (various tip angles), for £3.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017MP5CQM/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
All that follows should be read bearing the price upper most in mind.
The construction is a little crude, but errs on the side a robustness, not thinness. The tips are well-enough ground, and the springs much stronger than I expected.
The biggest problem is finish - both the metal and wood parts have a multitude of burred edges and sharp corners, all unpleasant to the hand in use.
Fortunately, as anyone who has done metal work or woodwork can attest, sandpaper and filing requires tremendous care to preserve neat, sharp edges and corners. If you just wish to remove them, almost any old flailing with sandpaper will serve.
I used soft cloth backed 220 grit, which I happen to have, but an old paper backed sheet of 180 grit, with the grain of the paper utterly destroyed with use, would also work well.
The resulting tool is still not a thing of beauty - you'll never mistake it for something made by Lindstrom - but they work well, and are comfortable in hand.
Did I mention they only cost £3.99 for the 3?
BugBear
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.