How to reanimate a sparrow

[scriptguru]

Few months ago I bought a "Rakers" set from Sparrows (4 picks, 6 tension wrenches), and have been very happy with it or a long time.
However, after maybe one month of intensive use (at home), I broke one of them, and couple weeks later another one
Even though they are made of good steel (at least manufacturers say so), they are quite vary narrow, so it's not that hard to broke them.

I didn't throw the "dead sparrows" away, I stored them with others - just in case. Later I bought Dremel 4000. And then I realized, that I can reanimate sparrows, using their handles!

Let me show you all steps:

1. Removed a pick from a soft handle.


2. Drawn a shape with permanent marker (using snapped part of the pick as an example).


3. Made first version of a pick with Dremel (I believe other rotary tool would work just fine too). It took less than a hour. Intentionally made it wide to make it more sturdy.




4. Oops, it's too wide: can't open any lock with it. Making it narrow (10-15min).



Yeah! Now it's wide enough to be sturdy, but narrow enough to enter keyholes. Works at least as good as a new one, maybe even better (thanks to better finish of edges).

I am extremely happy that my friend is alive again! Well, it's not a sparrow anymore, it's a midget sparrow , but it works fine and is comfortable to use!
Hope you don't throw away your broken picks Making a pick from a handle of real pick is better than making them from saw or knife, I think.

[scriptguru]

Small update: just made a "neck" of the pick as narrow as the right pick's "neck" on the last photo, then polished the pick.
Works better now!

In conclusion: I don't have a workshop or even a garage. I made the lock pick in the bathroom over a washstand. The process produced not so much dust, so I easily cleaned the bathroom in 5 minutes. Dremel (or similar rotary tool) is definitely must have for a hobbyist lockpicker who wants to make (or repair) picks. It's not that expensive, doesn't take much space, not that loud, and is powerful enough to machine small stuff (picks, etc).

[femurat]

well done, using a broken pick as a blank is a good idea

I make my picks in the kitchen

[scriptguru]

thanks, femurat
That's my first self-made pick!

I've used a broken pick because (as claimed by manufacturer) their steel is very advanced (non-crystallic, as I understand), so I hardly could find something similar for reasonable price. Resulting pick is small, but still comfortable.

[scriptguru]

I'd make them in kitchen, but in my case it is impossible (too small kitchen, too filled with stuff, and I don't want to contaminate it with metal dust).
In bathroom I even cannot sit when I am before washstand, so it stimulates me to work fast

[scriptguru]

Today made one more pick with the same tools.

Let me share tthe selection of tools for next generations (all numbers - Dremel accessories codes, compatible with other tools):
1. Cutting rough profile of the pick - 420 (cutting disc)
2. Improving shape of the pick - 8193 or 932 (grinding bit)
3. Finishing edges, making the shape perfect - 84922 (fine grinding bit)
4. Polishing - 428 (yes, the best thing for polishing is steel brush!) (steel brush)

If you found something better (other bits numbers, other stages, etc), please correct me. The accessories mentioned above allow me to make any pin tumbler (or wafer) pick, even the most peculiar one, in about 1h with rotary tool (I made it with Dremel 4000).

If your hands are straight enough, you'll end with great pick, well polishes and ready to use.

[scriptguru]

Last update, with one more pick: