Making Picks without Bench Grinder?

[GBird]

Guys, I'm not sure if theres been anyone asking this before, but I can't seem to find anything in the search, but anyway.


Is there any alternative fastest way to make picks without using a bench grinder?? Cause I'm new at these stuff, but I definitely can't afford a bench grinder at the moment, nor does anyone I know have one. I've actually tried filing a hacksaw blade down with a sharpening stone.... but it takes too long and tiring......

Any other ideas, anyone?

[therealmuffinman]

there is a hand tool called a dremel tool. I have one of those, it is like a portable all in one mini power tool, they go for around 20-30 bucks.

[ady1989]

Get a Dremel copy. Therealmuffinman, you are referring to a Dremel copy. There are a few around made by different companies and they are not too much (30-40$). Brand name Dremels go for much more, probably $150 or so. Just wanted to clarify that, in case you do go out to find one .

[therealmuffinman]

i have both a dremel copy and an actual dremel tool, i believe the reason my dremel was around 20 bucks is because it is a cordless one, with less power. the copy works just as well and doesnt need to be recharged and came with 150+ bits so i agree with gbrid in getting the copy over the dremel (the only difference is the name on the sticker and the price)

[Dragunov-21]

Be careful when buying a non-dremel RHT, I got one and returned it to the store about a half hour later. The thing had the weight of a toothbrush.

Not, like, an electric one, just a toothbrush.

Trust me to pick the *one* brand of RHT in the store that was built like a Braun...

[Eyes_Only]

Nothing can beat a good bench grinder IMO cos it is so fast and so convinient but if all you can afford or have space for is a Dremel, make sure you get the biggest one they have and get the corded one.

I bought a battery powered Dremel and it sucks. It takes like 6 hours to charge and offers only 15-30 mins of use before the thing dies out and have to spend another 6 hours charging it. Making just a couple of picks could sometimes waste a whole day with a cordless tool.

[Servalite6354]

I've actually tried filing a hacksaw blade down with a sharpening stone.... but it takes too long and tiring......

Any other ideas, anyone?

Not sure what you mean by "sharpening stone". Like what you'd use to sharpen a knife? That would take forever.

You can get some cheap hand files that would be better than that. Harbor Freight is a wonderful place for low-quality, low-cost items. I believe you can buy stuff from their website, but depending on where you live, shipping could be an issue.

A cheapo Dremel copy would be good, as the others suggested. I have one, but hardly ever use it, due to the lack of power as mentioned above.

You can get a handheld electric grinder for $10-15, and they'd probably work decent, if not optimally. Be careful with one of those though, it's pretty easy to injure yourself or get the cord caught in the grinding wheel -not good.

[Siegel]

If you can afford a Dremel you can probably afford a cheap bench grinder but if not how about recycling.
Get yourself a washing machine or similar and mount a grinding disk which I am sure you can afford $5 for and a standard light switch and the power cord from the place you scrounged your motor from and you are away.
I also got some modelers diamond files which are absolutely fantastic for shaping fiddly bits in picks and give you a lot more control then a Dremel but it is still quite time consuming.
Hope this helps.
No-one/Siegel

[Siegel]

I dropped a bollock on that last post should have said get yourself a washing machine MOTOR, not just a washing machine. That would cost a bit. ROFL
Okay sorry You have to excuse things like that when I haven't slept all week
Again apologies
No-one/Siegel