Picks

[Jimmy.Lock.Pick]

What is a good material. And would these picks work on a door lock for a house?

[Eyes_Only]

I use rake tines for making picks and flattened bicycle spokes for a tension wrench. The tines are a lil thicker then regular picks but its good enough to work.

[Denis]

The stainless steel of Coke-barrels (ca. 50l) is very good. Nearly 0,6 mm.

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[Liquibyte]

I mentioned this once before in another post but I think it could bear mentioning again. You know those hanging file folders that fit in file cabinets? The hanging part of those are metal. They are a little over 12" long x 5/16" and about .024 in. thick (at least the ones I have are) and make a nice pick. I must add that using that as a material isn't really very strong but is easy to work with (I make mine using nothing but a file). I wouldn't really recommend this for a "final" set, but it will give you some practice making picks with an easy to work with material while also teaching you a light touch as they are easy to bend. A stainless steel ruler would make a nice pickset and I am personally planning to do just that as soon as I can get another one (long story, but I've not been able to get out of the house for over four months now). I also have plans in mind to try making a set out of a sheet of .020 grade 2 titanium, which remarkably, can be gotten in a 6" x 6" piece for $10. I'm still trying to find a retailer that can sell me a comparably sized piece in grade 5 (almost the hardest grade). I understand through research that grade 2 is comparable in workability to 440 stainless, not sure about grade 5. I'll let everyone know how it works out.

[Denis]

Many knifes are made of inox steel, a very goot material.
On flea markets they are very cheap.

[MHanft87]

Hacksaw Blades!!!!!!!!!

[SPAZM]

This is what i use aight i get a set of SMALL allen keys or wrences (make sure they can fit into the keyhole slot) then you get the long end then you bend it back so its not in a 90 degree angle, after you've done that you use a bench grinder to make it round but if you din't have access to a bench grinder you can use a file but that'll take forever and there you go your very own pick set.

[Chucklz]

Seems like an awful lot of work for a pick. I suggest you check out hacksaw blades, street sweeper bristles etc. I can take a raw bit of bristle, and turn it into a workign pick in undera minute on the bench grinder, although admittedly I spend about half an hour on each pick, fine tuning, burnishing, polishing etc. Just something to think about

[FunkyGuy]

Take a Hanger for your cloths like in your closet, there are long metal strips which can with alot of work filed down (which I am in proccess of doing) if you have a grinder, your very lucky that speeds stuff up, I have a dull file so i work hard heh. But the very best iv ever used is this copper wiring (im pretty sure its copper by the color) it is very eay to file down and seems pretty strong im trying to found out its real purpose becuase I found it in my gaurge, if I could buy more id be in heaven. It is long hard strips, if anyone knows whats its used for that would appreciated. Basically just get yourself a cloths hanger, plyers, file, and alot of patients.

[Chucklz]

Copper is completely unsuitable for picks. To soft! I dont know what metal you got there, but its not copper. Clothes hangers take too much time for too little results.

You can use hacksaw blades with wonderful results, and street sweeper bristles are also just as good.

[Mad Mick]

A metal which is easy to file down is considered to be ductile. Ductile metals, such as copper, brass, mild steel etc. are unsuitable for picking from a durability point. They may be o.k. for emergency picks, but I'd get tired of constantly having to reshape them for normal picking. Why not make a set of picks from a quality material which has tensile properties such as those suggested by Chucklz, or wiper blade inserts, or buy a cheap (price wise) set?

[Romstar]

Two of the more interesting materials I have made picks from are Phospher Bronze, and hardened brass.

Neither of these materials is suitable for practice, or hard daily usage. Especially the sort which may be experienced by a locksmith in the field.

However, for the technique known as "soft entry" both of these materials are excellent choices. The reason for this is simple. Their reduced hardness causes less damage to the pins and keyway of delicate locks.

If for example, you were manufacturing a pick set for undercover or investigative purposes, the hardened brass, or bronze picks would be very useful for reducing, or eliminating the tell-tale shavings which sometimes accompany picking actions such as raking and rapping.

[the_mole]

Liquibyte said "long story, but I've not been able to get out of the house for over four months now). "

Hopefully locked in, which is why you are frequenting LP101

If something more painful, I hope you are better soon..


The_Mole

[cable4256]

i use hacksaw blades for picks and cut down allen keys for tension wrenches

[macaba]

I have a new source of material/object for making picks. I'll post a thread when i get round to uploading to photobucket.