grinding picks.

[boatmaster]

oh right, maybe i was wrong.

thanks ccpdungeon, i will have a word with somone tomorrow about it.

finding out about different materials is good and very handy, i might even get promotion for it.

cheers mate.

[scorche]

Just as another point of reference, I was recently in the UK, and yes, all I saw were street sweepers with nylon bristles. Not that the metal variety are completely absent though...

[unjust]

another great source of windshield wipers is the car parts store parking lot garbage bin after a good rain or the first snow storm of the season. you'll get a nice selection of width of them too.

[boatmaster]

thanks chaps we appriciate it.

[skedone]

erm no sweeper bristles are used in the uk mate just look harder i know i live in uk and make all my picks out of them look round seafront areas or night clubs town centres ect, they are used in hi traffic areas all over the uk because they are only type that remove bubblegum and alike

[5thcorps]

Use some emory cloth on your final product to make sure the edges are squeaky clean and smooth. You want to be able to rub it on your skin and not get any scratches.

[Engineer]

It seems to be down to the local council's choice in England - I see them all over places like Manchester and other big NW towns and cities. I've picked up about 40 when I've been there and stopped until I use some up.

It might be wise to walk around a bit whenever you visit somewhere different, hopefully you will find somewhere that still uses them and that you can get to occasionally?

Good hunting!

[nostromo]

A great source of wiper blade inserts is an automobile junk yard. Last month I got a fistful for $2 and the hour it took to peel them out. BTW, fastest way to get them out (while still attached to the vehicle) is to grab one of the inserts at the very tip, farthest end from where the arm is on the vehicle, with needle nose pliers and pull straight out. The other one comes out even quicker, and there is much less risk of damaging the blade arm.

Is it possible to get a one inch belt sander instead of a grinder? True, it's not as good as a wet grinder, but it does run cooler than a straight grinder, and is less hassle than the wet grinder. Though a regular grinder is better in the long run for hogging off metal in big stretches.

[5thcorps]

go to a parts store or some garages in tghe area and ask them to save the used blades for you. Bring in coffee or donuts at least once and you'll be up to your teeth in inserts

[raimundo]

the grindstone is a hard object, you press metal into it and it leaves its shape on the metal, when you press metal into a belt sander, even with the back plate, there is a softer tool impression, for many things including pick making this softer finish is desirable. but of course for impatient mass wasting (hogging off?) the rough stone is better.