Ever found that when you're away from your guitar for a week or so, the skin your fingers loose their toughness and when you return you have to go through the pain until you become used to it again? Well I've found away to prevent this happening, whilst at the same time strengthening my fingers, and even providing stress relief! And it only takes 5 minutes of your time!

Step 1: Materials

You will need:

-A Gripmaster hand exerciser http://www.activeforever.com/p-4-gripmaster-hand-exerciser.aspx
-5 inches of old guitar string (Preferably the D string, nothing thinner)
-Wire cutters
-Pliers
-Good 'ol duct tape

Step 2: Measuring Up

Using your fingers, hold the guitar string on the pistons of the Gripmaster. Use the pliers to bend one end of the guitar string at a 90 degree angle downwards.

Step 3: The Other Side

Do the same to the other side but don't make the bend as close to the edge as you did with the other side. Leave about 3mm of horizontal wire. This creates slack for when you push the pistons down.

Step 4: Tape Time

This step is pretty much self-explanatory. Using a half centimeter wide strip of tape, stick both ends of the wire to the side of the Gripmaster as shown. It is important to give the wire slack (using the 3mm of extra wire) so it should have a slight bend over the pistons as shown. Use the wire cutters to trip off excess wire.

Step 5: Last Step

Now, using a small piece of duct tape, cover the edge of the trimmed wire. It's pretty sharp and you don't want to cut yourself.

Step 6: Finished!

And that's all there is to it! Now when you go away on a holiday or trip, take it with you. When you flex your hand the wires dig into your fingertips simulating a bend on a guitar, and toughening your fingers, whilst at the same time making your fingers stronger. (It's also a handy stress reliever!)

Thanks for reading, and I hope I didn't make it sound too complicated.