A tool for conditioning a plastic blade of a plastering tool, the tool comprising a first guide means and a conditioning blade, wherein the first guide means is arranged to receive an edge portion of the plastering tool blade for guiding movement of the plastering tool blade relative to the conditioning blade.

The present invention provides a utility knife having built in smoothing capabilities, either in the form of a utility knife with a grooved cavity for inserting a removable smoothing element with an abrasive surface, or in the form of a utility knife that has an abrasive surface etched into a portion of the utility knife handle. The invention further provides a smoothing element attachment for retrofitting suitable utility knives.

An acute angle blade sharpening apparatus and method for sharpening blades is configured to sharpen the edge and bevel of a blade at the specific acute angles between 21° and 23°, or about 22° and 23°. The apparatus has a base member forming multiple elongated depressions oriented at 22° and 23°. Multiple elongated sharpening members are fixedly mounted in the depressions. The blade is oriented perpendicular to the first side of the base member and drawn against the sharpening members, to engage at the desired 22° and 23° sharpening angles. A leveling instrument attaches to the blade to verify the blade is oriented at the desired angles. A leveling instrument cavity stores the leveling instrument and fastener. Springs retain the sharpening members in the cavity of the base member when not in use. A clamp fastens the base member to a mounting surface for enhanced stability.

An acute angle blade sharpening apparatus and method for sharpening blades is configured to sharpen the edge and bevel of a blade at the specific acute angles between 21° and 23°, or about 22° and 23°. The apparatus has a base member forming multiple elongated depressions oriented at 22° and 23°. Multiple elongated sharpening members are fixedly mounted in the depressions. The blade is oriented perpendicular to the first side of the base member and drawn against the sharpening members, to engage at the desired 22° and 23° sharpening angles. A leveling instrument attaches to the blade to verify the blade is oriented at the desired angles. A leveling instrument cavity stores the leveling instrument and fastener. Springs retain the sharpening members in the cavity of the base member when not in use. A clamp fastens the base member to a mounting surface for enhanced stability.

A file for filing a fret of a stringed instrument includes a filing slot with two radiused side regions that are coated with abrasive material and a central crown region that is non-abrasive. Sliding the filing slot back and forth across a fret will file away material using the radiused sides. Once the non-abrasive crown region touches the fret the filing motion can cease, and the fret will be appropriately crowned without over-filing.

A file for filing a fret of a stringed instrument includes a filing slot with two radiused side regions that are coated with abrasive material and a central crown region that is non-abrasive. Sliding the filing slot back and forth across a fret will file away material using the radiused sides. Once the non-abrasive crown region touches the fret the filing motion can cease, and the fret will be appropriately crowned without over-filing.

A hand operated filing tool comprising a gripping handle, an elongated shaft extending through the handle. The shaft has a first working end including at least one filing surface along at least part of the length of the first working end of the shaft and a second working end including at least one filing surface along at least part of the length of the second working end of the shaft. The shaft and handle arranged to allow the handle to move between the working ends of the shaft, thereby allowing user selection of the at least one filing surface at either the first or second working ends.

Apparatuses and associated methods for polishing side surfaces of fibers. The system includes a fiber loading mechanism for securing a fiber to the apparatus, a polishing mechanism, and a linear motion mechanism for linearly translating one of the polishing mechanism and the fiber for polishing a side surface of the fiber using the polishing mechanism.

A sanding device includes a base, a plurality of protrusions extending from the base, a plurality of fasteners, a first one of the fasteners extending through the base, a clamping mechanism having openings through which the protrusions and the first one of the fasteners extend, and a spring arranged over the first one of the fasteners, between the base and the clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is releasably fixed in contact with the base in a first state and the clamping mechanism is spaced from the base in a second state while retained with respect to the base by at least a pair of the plurality of protrusions extending from the base to substantially prevent axial rotation of the clamping mechanism.

A pole illumination system allows a person to shine light on a work surface even when that work surface is at a distance from the person. An adaptor attaches to the head of a pole and allows abrasives to be attached thereto. The adaptor has lights that illuminate from the sides thereof to cast light about the work surface or space.