Looking for ideas to modify a Snap Pick.

[lancoff]

I own two snap pick guns, one from South Ord and one no name brand. The nice thing about the South Ord model is that it doesn't use rivets to hold the case together, so it is easy to take apart and get a look inside. After looking inside the case I have some ideas to modify the other pick gun in order to make its operation more smooth and (mostly becuase I am tired of annoying my roommates) less noisy. I think that if you were to use a recoil buffer similar to what is used in firearms it would greatly reduce noise and improve performance. One of the biggest problems I see with the design is that there is a lot of metal on metal surfaces that contact each other both in the trigger mechanism and the striker assembly for the pick. If some sort of buffer was used it would reduce the wear to the moving parts and make the pick perform better as it would allow a more even control per impact from the striker. Another improvment might be to make a new trigger mechanism possibly utilizing a ball bearing drive to make it operate better. Also some sort of filler (possibly surefoam or similar) in the dead space within the pick gun would probably help with noise reduction as well. I am still in the planning period of these mod but I intend to modify one of the pick guns and post my results on the site. I am interested in everyones opinion and possible ideas.

[Legacy712]

I'm not sure how you would buffer it, as it relies on a fast, sharp impact to the pins to achieve the desired result, much like two billiard balls colliding. This, of course, creates a certain amount of noise. If you want something quieter, I would suggest learning how to pick the locks with single pin picks.

[lancoff]

I don't think that it would be that hard to modify the striking mechanism to increase the tension to compensate for a buffer. Also when you think of a pool cue hitting billiard balls, you should note that even the pool cue has a tip that in a certain way acts as a buffer allowing you to control the manner in which the cue ball strikes the other balls. Thus increasing (or decreasing in some cases) the accuracy of the shot. I am not just interested in making the pick quieter, but also I would like to make to operation of the pick smoother, and more percise. I also practice picking locks with regular single pin picks, but I feel that one should learn to use as many different methods, and tools as possible. I believe that the snap pick is an excellent tool for use in lock picking, but that it could use some updating. Thanks for the post.

[Legacy712]

You misunderstood me. I wasn't talking about the pool cue striking the ball; I was referring to that ball hitting another ball. When you strike a ball with a cue, the stick goes into the space originally occupied by the ball. When a ball hits another ball, it can stop dead, imparting its force into the struck ball.

This is similar to what a snap pick does --- for an instant, it strikes the lower pin and transfers its force into that pin, it hits the upper pin, and the lower pin stays where it is while the upper pin moves against the spring. This briefly separates the pins, keeping the lower pin in the plug and sending the upper pin past the shear line. This creates a gap at the shear line, allowing the plug to turn.

So it must snap against the lower pin with an intense, sharp force. This is, by necessity, a loud "snap."

[lancoff]

Oh I see what your talking about. I thought we were talking about when the striker hits the piece that holds the pick in the gun. I agree there is nothing that can be done about the "snap" heard when the pick hits the pins, and any attempt on my part would be useless. What I am interested in trying to see is if making modifications inside the internal componets of the snap pick could make the system run more smoothly and reduce the noise coming from the inside of the snap pick. I am not looking to make a completely silent pick, but rather trying to improve the existing pick. Sorry if I came across aggressive. I do appreciate your input.

[Legacy712]

No problem.

Now, take it a step further backwards...

Since the pick itself must strike the pins quickly and with force, if we follow the operation backwards, we find that the striker inside the picking mechanism (which hits the pick holder) would probably have to strike the pick holder itself with the same speed and intensity. At least I would think so.

Now, the trigger mechanism draws down until it releases itself to fire up against the pick holder, causing the trigger to snap against the housing, as well. If you could put a piece of rubber where the trigger snaps against the housing, you might have something.

Something like that may eliminate or reduce the snapping of the trigger part. However, you'd still hear the rest of the mechanism at work, so I don't know how beneficial that would be. Worth a try, I guess, as long as you didn't change anything permanently.

Don't get me wrong; I'm not trying to discourage you. I'm just trying to give you my thoughts on it to think about so you don't spend a lot of time for nothing, or modifying it such that it won't work anymore.

Just my two cents...

[lancoff]

Do you think that it would be possible to put something between the pick holder and the striker to deaden the noise, and then modify the striker so that you could increase its tension to compensate for the buffer?

[Legacy712]

Maybe, but I think it might be counter-productive.

You'd be taking some of the sharpness out of the striker. Like a car tire hitting a bump in the road. The tire flexes and absorbs much of the bump (and the suspension takes care of the rest).

Even if you increased the tension, you'd still be softening the blow.

[Legacy712]

If you jammed a piece of rubber (or something) between the two sides of the pick, that might reduce the noise from the sides vibrating. Vibration causes the air to vibrate, which reaches your eardrums and is perceived as sound.

[lancoff]

Hmmm. Those are some good ideas. Thanks for the help.