hi , i was throwing out some old wine bottle corks and looking closely atone i noticed it was a new type compressed plastic fibres , so i pushed the tip of a knife blade in and then inserted a very tiny part i wanted to paint , hey presto a new tool for holding small parts and its free after the drinks , cheers ian

I have emptied seven bottles since your mail, but they are all cork. I keep trying...

No, seriously. I don't think those corks are on the market here. But I keep my eyes peeled for them.

Here in italy you can find them quite easily, specially because the cork trees are going to become protected. So come to Italy, good food, good wine, nice weather an nice girls... and last but not least tons of mid density sylicon corks waiting for you!!!
Ciao

thanks for the tip Ian.....and I agree to Fabio about visiting Italy..he speaks like a real mediterrenean. :-)