1St Try and Success!

[Taemyks]

I used my quickly made homemade tools today for the first time and succeed within a couple minutes!

I made the tools from a random .116" Allen wrench, and part of a hacksaw blade that I broke sawing some tubing last week (I knew my scrap bucket would come in handy). I used an angle grinder with a (worn) 60 grit flap disc and a sheet of 100 paper to debur to make the tools.

I asked my neighbor if he had any padlocks, and he came over with a new #3 master lock. The first time it took about 5 minutes, the second just 30 seconds or less. My preconceived notion of the descriptions of tension I didn't get, or didn't apply for the first time. My wife was sitting at her computer next to me and was startled with my exuberant exclamation. I thought it was a fluke and went across the carport and asked it he had any more.

Turns out he bought six of them (singly) so I borrowed them under the condition that I'd replace them if I broke 'em and I picked each and every one within a couple minutes each, and mostly less. I know that they're supposed to be easy, but the success is a great motivator.

I've been reading this site for several days, and it wouldn't have been possible without the info I've read here. Thanks ALL.

Tomorrow I'm headed to the local recycling center (http://www.bringrecycling.org/) to find some more locks at a deep discount.

My Tools and A Lock I picked:

[Varminter]

Congratulations!
It always feel good when you pick a lock, as long as you don't spend half an hour, then it feels really good...
I also have an Allen wrench grinded down in my picking kit, it's surprisingly effective on some locks. And it fits most locks and kinda jamms in the keyway since I grinded it so it's thinner at the tip than at the top.
I would recommend that you grind a half diamond pick as well, it's one of the most versatile picks and is the favorite pick of many lockpickers.

[raimundo]

real good first set, they only get better from there.

[Taemyks]

Funny thing is that the first pic was supposed to be a half diamond. An angle grinder and a sloppy bench grinder aren't the proper tools for the job. I made the two on the left this morning from another bent blade, not all hacksaw blades are equal, this one was a bi-metal Starret that dulled the teeth of a hardened dog file. It's not very springy, which I would rather have, but recycled is free.

I lapped the tips of all with 400 and 600 sandpaper (I thought the 1000 and 1500 might just be overkill )and they all feel much smoother in the keyway, like a warm knife sliding into butter.

[Taemyks]

Funny thing is that the first pic was supposed to be a half diamond. An angle grinder and a sloppy bench grinder aren't the proper tools for the job. I made the two on the left this morning from another bent blade, not all hacksaw blades are equal, this one was a bi-metal Starret that dulled the teeth of a hardened dog file. It's not very springy, which I would rather have, but recycled is free.

I lapped the tips of all with 400 and 600 sandpaper (I thought the 1000 and 1500 might just be overkill )and they all feel much smoother in the keyway, like a warm knife sliding into butter.

I don't know why it says dog file, it's supposed to say dog file...

[squelchtone]

Funny thing is that the first pic was supposed to be a half diamond. An angle grinder and a sloppy bench grinder aren't the proper tools for the job. I made the two on the left this morning from another bent blade, not all hacksaw blades are equal, this one was a bi-metal Starret that dulled the teeth of a hardened dog file. It's not very springy, which I would rather have, but recycled is free.

I lapped the tips of all with 400 and 600 sandpaper (I thought the 1000 and 1500 might just be overkill )and they all feel much smoother in the keyway, like a warm knife sliding into butter.

I don't know why it says dog file, it's supposed to say dog file...

because the swear filter changed it to something that wouldn't offend anyone. I know you're trying to tell us b-as-ta-rd file.

Squelchtone

[JRock]

Funny thing is that the first pic was supposed to be a half diamond. An angle grinder and a sloppy bench grinder aren't the proper tools for the job. I made the two on the left this morning from another bent blade, not all hacksaw blades are equal, this one was a bi-metal Starret that dulled the teeth of a hardened dog file. It's not very springy, which I would rather have, but recycled is free.

I lapped the tips of all with 400 and 600 sandpaper (I thought the 1000 and 1500 might just be overkill )and they all feel much smoother in the keyway, like a warm knife sliding into butter.

I don't know why it says dog file, it's supposed to say dog file...

because the swear filter changed it to something that wouldn't offend anyone. I know you're trying to tell us b-as-ta-rd file.

Squelchtone

That's funny. I read it at first and just read "I don't know why it says dog file, it's supposed to say dog file" and couldn't help but think well it does say "dog file" so there ya go. Funny stuff.

[Taemyks]

JRock - I hope your name is a TPB reference. Love those guys.

I tried to correct my error, noticed there was no edit and posted a correction. I kinda figured out what the deal-i-o was after the second post. I'll try to use more euphemistic wording in the future .

[Bladen]

This really inspires me to get work on my own picks.

[raimundo]

power tools and power bench grinders in particular will try sometimes to jerk the workpiece out of your hand and launch it at serious speed into your face, wear eye protection.