making a jackknife

[adam14]

hi is was wondering has any one have a southord jackknife and what are the dimensions of it. also has any one else made a jackknife and what sort of materials did you use

[adam14]

ok i have found the dimensions
all i need to know now is what are the best materials and what is the best way to connect it all together.

[Deathadder]

its called automotive feeler gauge, just pick some up at a hardware store.

[adam14]

hi
yes i know they make very good pick sets but i am more after making the whole thing for a fun project i have been reading through the treads if it would be ok to use wind shield inserts to the the picks and how effective would it be

[Deathadder]

wind shield wiper inserts are best for tension tools, but will still make good picks. If you can, try and find some street sweeper bristles or hacksaw blades, then take and drill a hole through the set at one end, and take two pieces of plastic or metal and shave it off in the shape of the jackknife body and drill two holes through those, a larger one at the base that corresponds with the picks, and a smaller one that you can insert something like a small rod or pin. once you do this, take a small pin and stick it through the smaller hole in the metal/plastic, and bend it off on both ends so it doesn't move. After that put a bolt through the picks inside of the metal/plastic. Grab a nut and screw it on until its tight.

[lockdr]

When you get them done, run a POP Rivet through the holes. Cut a notch in a washer so it looks like a "C", then after you have tightened the rivet, pull the washer out with needle nose pliers and the picks will swivel freely.
Take from one who spent good money on the Southord setup, jacknife picks aren't that handy to work with.
Be sure to post pics of your project when you get done.

[adam14]

thanks for all of the information i will be starting the jackknife next week. what are the best hacksaw blades to use i have searched but they are very mixed results and would i be able to make a tension wrench holder and how would i do it

[Deathadder]

carbon steel works best i believe

[johna]

I'll try do it ,too.

[Mr. Glass]

Take from one who spent good money on the Southord setup, jacknife picks aren't that handy to work with.

I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. I've had the jacknife set for about five years now and always keep in on my keychain. Whenever my friend get locked out of his apartment (never fails ) I can always get him in. (He has a falcon SFIC with a fairly difficult keyway.) It never fails me when I need it.

[dinger]

I feel the jack knife is a great tool for the purpose that it serves. Its a way to have a basic pick set on you any where you go. In case of an emergency, knowing how to pick locks doesn't do you any good if you dont have any picks on you at that time.

[mjwhit]

i made a jacknife, using aluminuim as the outside and hacksaw blades as picks. Used washers in between picks and it works good. heres a very average photo of it but since then i have redone the picks. gives you an idea though