From: "Marsh, Steve" <SMarsh@uwic.ac.uk>
To: "'balloondeco@balloonhq.com'" <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Ribbon Splitting
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 09:26:28 -0000

Dear All,

This probably has been done before but......

I frequently make smaller bows for balloon weights by splitting 2" poly
ribbon down the middle to make 1" ribbon. Doing it my hand usually ends up
with unequal widths. Hence my latest 'invention'.

Take a short (e.g. 12") plank of wood which is about 3 or 4 inches wide. put
in two 2" round nails 2" apart but dont hammer them all the way down (or you
could use dowels). These are the guides for the ribbon.  Drive in a small
0.5" nail or pin half way between these nails and snip off the end to leave
a spike. So to split the ribbon, pull it between the large nails and down on
to the spike and then pull. 

Gives perfect results every time.


Steve Marsh
The Balloon Experience
Newport
S Wales
UK