Raimundo's Bogota "How to" documents

[raimundo]

Festus, heres a tip. about the top cuts. heres my way.

I bend and twist the two pieces together so that they fit like twins, then I determine the length of the pickset, and cut the ends of both pieces to a fourty five degree slant, then holding both pieces together,

I use a quarter inch chainsaw sharpening file, and place it on the end of the pair of pickblanks, HERES the important part I position the chainsaw file so that I can see just a small bit ( a millimeter of less) of the natural top edge of the metal stock right behind the top of the fortyfive degree slope. As I cut down, on each stroke, I make sure to keep an eye on that tiny millimeter of natural edge so that it is not cut away. the file is round and the sight line for the millimeter is from above the file looking down. the actual cut of the file will be back some from that tip that you are trying to preserve until the round file sinks half its diameter into the metal stock.

If I cut it too close to the end, and cut off the natural edge, this means that I have also lowered the height of the picktip so if that happens, it means that the set will be for smaller locks. you can still finish it up but realise that you have one made for smaller keyways.

on the subsequent cuts you are only working on one piece of metal and you will again be looking at that last remnant of the natural edge of the metal stock, between each round cut.

when you are done, the cuts should have a tiny part of the natural edge at the top of each pick tip, this will later be refined with a file and sandpaper so that its not apparent in the final product how this cutting was done.

[TonsTerT]

I definitely have a lot of respect for your craftsmanship raimundo. I started on my own set yesterday filing by hand only. In just over an hour of work, I'm only about half way through the rough shaping. I'm going to try and show a little restraint and leave my dremel tool alone for this one. I'm looking forward to trying out this set.

Would you be able to post an image of rake with dimensions drawn on it? I'm not totally clear on the distance from one peak to the next.

[ToolyMcgee]

Tons... having read every post in this thread I can say that the length between the peaks depends on the lock you want to pick. Ideally the pins fall peak, valley, peak. It is important the pins be close to this measure, but additionally important is the height of the peaks, depth of the valleys, and the slope between. Have patience making your rough file cuts, and if your blank doesn't look right don't worry because the results are all in the 45 mins of sanding ahead of you. I have made a dozen bogota rakes, and all of them "work"great, but when you take your time and progressively sand it silky smooth, prism chrome, gem cut brilliant...the resulting pick is illogically successful. Review the sticky in manual picks concerning makind a set. If you still have questions pray and maybe Raimundo will answer.

[cppdungeon]

Question...I haven't seen it yet, and unless im missing something, its kinda obvious...

why are they called bogotas and sabena (?) s?

[raimundo]

I was in bogota when I created the first pair. it has evolved and improved since then. the Andes mountains split into three mountain cordillera through Columbia, the pick has three peaks. The city of Bogota is on a high flat plain between two cordillera, this plain is called the Sabana de Bogota. the Sabana pick has only two peaks corresponding to the first and third of the three peaks between them there is a flat area. The name was also chosen to distinguish it from the other designs, and it has a bit of panache, but that comes mostly from its reputation for effectiveness.

[bldiener]

what a great collection of works thanks for all the help I wish I could print all of the post at once.

[Zheol]

myfrist try i still gotta work on the necks some

http://us.f13.yahoofs.com/bc/49484e7c_c94b/bc/My+Documents/Iphone.jpg?BCk0ocJB1SNaSp3w

[Zheol]

i know it looks like crap but it was my frist try at anything like this figured i would share da steaming pile pic!
and dont have a Printer so had to try to remember all the steps with out running in and out of the house heh

[sir lot is here]

Looking forward to buying a couple of sets, then i'll have a go a making some , would like the real macoy first cant wait to add these in my lockpicking collection

[Darrylportelli]

Hey.. Im gonna make a bogota this weekend and have some quesions....
1)Can you use hacksaw blades instead of bristles(dont have any bristles)??
2)can you use a template like this one??: http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2683 ... ateqn7.jpg
3)why bend the handles,Cant you just make it into a ''normal'' pick with a handle??
sorry for the noob questions but I have never made or used bogotas before
Thanks guys.

[raimundo]

there are some who make them that way, look at wizwazzles or dour's videos on you tube.
I didn't look at the templates as I don't use templates, I use a quarter inch chainsaw file and this and the dimesion of the bristle provide the dimesions. Since I lost or it was stolen I haven't seen my caliper in years, so thats no longer a part of the process, I just do it by eye.

[Darrylportelli]

Ok Im gonna try it today from a hacksaw blade....Im gonna use a bench grinder for ginding away the coarse detail then use files for the fine details.
Cheers

[shaothegreat]

I was intent on making my own Bogota rakes but I just recently moved into an apartment complex and I think the neighbors would petition to evict me if I busted out the ol' bench grinder. If anyone has some a spare lying around, I'll buy one/some from you.

[pjzstones]

heres my first attempt. i made it with a straight handle made out of polymer clay.

http://s876.photobucket.com/albums/ab32 ... MG8819.jpg

[LocksmithArmy]

say, that looks good man,
Windshield wiper insert?