Lihvimistoru

Lihvimistoru, often translated as "grinding tube" or "polishing tube," is a historical tool used in various crafts and industries for smoothing and finishing surfaces. Primarily associated with metalworking and woodworking, it served a similar purpose to modern sandpaper or abrasive belts but employed a different mechanism.

The typical lihvimistoru consisted of a cylindrical or conical tube, often made of wood or metal. Its outer surface would be coated with abrasive material. This could range from natural substances like sand, grit, or crushed stone to early forms of manufactured abrasives. The abrasive coating was usually secured with a binder such as glue or pitch.

The user would then operate the lihvimistoru by moving it back and forth or in circular motions across the surface requiring refinement. The friction generated between the abrasive coating and the workpiece would gradually remove imperfections, smooth rough edges, and prepare the surface for further treatment, such as polishing or painting. Different sizes and shapes of lihvimistoru were developed to suit specific tasks and the contours of the objects being worked on. While largely replaced by more efficient and specialized modern abrasives, the lihvimistoru represents an important step in the evolution of surface finishing techniques.