Abrasive Mesh

[Short John Bronze]

I found this abrasive mesh in a junk drawer in the garage. I think it was for smoothing down plaster in a DIY project from decades ago.
It seems to work quite well for tapering spars. (Photo mishap: you do not have to stand the lathe on its end and lie down to use this method)

 

[Kurt Konrath]

I have seen similar shaped material in the tools department, and like you say used for sanding plaster work or drywall plaster down.