On Thu, Jul 2, 2015 at 6:27 AM, Thomas Conroy 
 wrote:


> Give the triangular file another chance. You can't go as deep with it, but
> you don't need much depth for stamps, and a tool with the 60 degree spread
> from the face is a lot less fragile than a tool with deep narrow cuts.
> Also, with a triangular file you can correct mistakes by filing down the
> face just a little bit, which will spread the lines and narrow the counters
> (the areas that will print white), allowing you to correct without going
> all the way back to the beginning.
>


> A good-quality set of needle files is extremely helpful; you need
> jeweler's files with sharp arrisses, though, not the hardware-store
> Chinese-made ones, which don't come down to a sharp edge. Or, failing that,
> get a thin chainsaw file, say 1/16", which will give a lot of
> scalloped-edge possibilities.
>

Ahh...!  Where is my memory?  I have not one, but two sets of Swiss needle
files stuck away in the back of a drawer.  Thank you, Tom!  I guess that
zero rummage factor approach to tool storage needs to shift to a more
reductionist modality, i.e., I need to get the little stuff out so I
remember I have it.

I'm still working on creating a stamp for the panels, but I've decided to
use one I've already made for the center panel.  This morning's progress:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LwWd10pByif6hLVdvsOa2rEIr-
jwQN5N7h-RgWj4y98?feat=directlink">https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo
/LwWd10pByif6hLVdvsOa2rEIr-jwQN5N7h-RgWj4y98?feat=directlink

or

http://bit.ly/1T8fRqR

Thanks, Tom, for your input.  Great information.