Hi Martin,
Well the tubing is called hypodermic tubing.  I haven't the slightest of its normal use.  It is probably used in chemistry.
If you are interested, it is available from smallparts.com.
As far as finger protection goes, you might try using the fingers from a pair of welding gloves.  These might be too thick, I don't know.
I don't usually burn myself if I use the tubing.
73s,
Clarence

On Feb 22, 2012, at 1:01 PM, Martin McCormick wrote:

> 	I have been soldering for about 50 years and am always
> looking for ways to refine the process. The stainless steel
> tubing sounds very useful. What was this tubing originally meant
> for?
> 
> 	Another thing that would be useful is some sort of glove
> material that would let one briefly touch the tip of a hot iron
> while placing it against the work. I once discovered that cotton
> work gloves were very good for this except it only takes a
> fraction of a second to burn a hole right in the glove which
> brought a quick and painful end to the experiment.
> 
> 	Such gloves would also work for handling desoldering
> tools which get even hotter.
> 
> 	The idea is not to hold the tip for extended periods of
> time, but briefly pinch it while guiding it in.
> 
> Martin WB5AGZ