Tools list for making picks

[Mapnapkin]

Hello
I just got home from Home Depot where I picked up:
new safety goggles
masks
600 grit Sand Paper
buffing wheel for my bench grinder
new file set
air freshener for my car
home depot didn't not have 1500 grit sand paper

I also recently bought a bench grinder that came with 36 and 60 grit wheels.

My question is, what is a good grit for my bench grinder wheels?

At the moment I'm using hack saw blades until I get better.

[vitti]

Either wheel will work fine. The 36 will cut faster and leave a rougher edge. The 60 will cut slower but leave a cleaner (but far from clean) edge.

I don't know exactly what 'grit' wheel I use but it's not super coarse. It cuts a little slow but I almost prefer that as it also gives more control and more time/room for error. It will however mean that you will have to quench more frequently than with a coarse wheel. Specially when you get to a really narrow part of the pick, like the 'neck' of the pick. If it's uncomfortable to hold, quench.

As for the other supplies, sounds like you have the basics. One thing though, you mentioned a buffing wheel but you didn't mention buffing compound. Just in case you haven't used a buffing wheel before, it does nothing without some compound on it. If you're just using the one buffing wheel I'd suggest getting some tripoli. It's abrasive enough to take out small scratches but leaves a moderately shinny finish. You could use red rouge but it doesn't have much cutting power and 600 grit sandpaper isn't sufficient prep work for rouge. As for finding the higher grit sandpaper, your best bet is going to be an automotive supply or Wal Mart's automotive section.

Good luck and have fun.

[Mapnapkin]

Ya, I did not buy any buffing compound, I didn't know until I got home and started researching more.. oh well. I've never used a bench grinder before or done any thing like this in the past.

I need to get finer grit sandpaper 1500 or so and home depot has a decent bench vise for $20.

So it sounds like the best plan is to use a Dremel to cut away excess metal to a basic shape then use bench grinder to get the shape closer then use files to finish the shape. then sand and polish.
Looks like I may need a Dremel also.

With all the money I've spent on tools I could have bought a set from LockNewbie21, Kaotik and raimundo.
That just would be as fun.

So red rouge leaves a higher shine than tripoli, as long as the finish is prepped properly.

[Trip Doctor]

If you only have one buffing wheel I would settle with Tripoli. It's gets your metal shiny and smooth, and will get rid of some micro scratches. Personally I think Red Rouge is a bit of an overkill for picks, but, if you really love the super shiny mirror finish, you can go for it. Just note that you'll probably spend more time on them.

[Safety0ff]

I think white rouge would be more effective. I don't think that red rouge would make a big difference (because of the hardness of the metal.)

[Mapnapkin]

I do only have one buffing wheel.
I am going to try the 1500 grit sand paper followed with some white rouge.
I'll see how that looks. Since its my first try, I may as well see how pretty I can get it. Who know if I can get the shape right.. but its all trial and error from here on.

Thanks

[raimundo]

red rouge is made for gold and silver, it is not hard enough to work on steel. there are other buffing compounds that will work, tripoli is an aggressive compound used for prepping metals for polishing.


A mirror finish looks good, but scratches happen and it will not stay in that shape.

you may have to go to some rougher grits to get the surface right, the way its done is by working your way through the various grits as they get finer

Please wear the saftey glasses, and don't wear a tie around the buffer or grinder, since you haven't used a grinder before, you may want to take a piece of scrap metal and if its small, feed it to the grinder and watch what the grinder does to turn it into a fast deadly projectile.

[Mapnapkin]

Thanks
I definitely wear safety glasses.
I'll post some photos when I get a set done.
Looks like my work is picking up so I may not be able to get to it right away.

thanks for all the advice

[criminalhate]

So it sounds like the best plan is to use a Dremel to cut away excess metal to a basic shape then use bench grinder to get the shape closer then use files to finish the shape. then sand and polish.
Looks like I may need a Dremel also.

In my opinion the whole point of using the bench grinder is to get the shape you want. No need to waste money on dremel bits getting the shape when you can get a decent blank with some practice on the bench grinder. For finer tips some hand files will serve you better then the dremel also.