Tool for rolling mesh wicks

[Michaaar]

Let's start off by saying I suck at rolling these, partially because the fine motor functions in my right hand are blown to hell due to having received the lovely gift 8 years ago of a palm full of shrapnel.. okay, well mostly because of that. Does anyone know of a tool that would aid in doing this? All it would really have to be is something the size of a paperclip with a slit carved up the center from one end, can't make one myself but I figured if I can think of it, so can other people.

 

[nj1001]

I heard an acupuncture needle, because its the thinnest, is good for wrapping nice tight wicks but its still probably not going to be any easier than a paperclip. Pre-torching it & folding the edge which you start wrapping helps with the process some too.

 

[vsummer1]

After I get my edge folded and the wick started around the paperclip, I roll it on the table. I think getting it started would be the hardest part for you so if you can get past that, rolling it one handed would be a breeze.

 

[Michaaar]

Hrm.. it's the getting it started that I seem to be having problems with. Once it's started I can get it rolling tighter if I can keep from crushing it. xD Don't ever take for granted the ability to sense how much pressure you have on something! You don't know how important it is to things like using chopsticks and rolling wicks. lol. Ill give the pre-oxidation method a try, I've been rolling them and then oxidizing

 

[Sovran]

You could use a long cotter pin. Once you roll it on the pin, remove it and continue rolling from the center out to make it smaller and tighter.

 

[tc1]

What about taking a toothpick or skewer ... snipping an end off and making a slit into the wood with a razor or knife? Anything made of wood or plastic in that size range would be easy to slit.

If you need the wick to be smaller in diameter, you can then just roll it with two fingers or whatever to get it smaller.

 

[Michaaar]

Bloody brilliant, Ill give this a shot see if I can work with it.

 

[XfooYen]

I wonder if a good ol' Zig Zag cigarette roller would get it started?