Any critiques on my diy picks.

[CaptRedBeard]

I'm very new to lock picking and I have read a lot on the best ways to make picks on here and decided to give it a try. My very first attempt was a failure, I made it out of a hacksaw blade I really didn't like the feel of due it the flimsy feel of the metal. So I did some research on materials and found some very helpful videos on YouTube, if anyone is interested in them I will find them and post links. My second attempt I made them out of 1/4-in x 20-ft Flat Rod Flat Sewer Rod I picked up for 7 dollars at my local hardware store they turned out much better for me I like the spring of them and they aren't to flimsy. I haven't made handles yet that's next on my list. But any tips or advice would greatly be appreciated.

[GWiens2001]

Very nice job, and fantastic polishing. Those should glide easily in a lock! Think the angles on the diamond are a little steep - they may have a harder time lifting a pin. Keep up the great work!

Gordon

[CaptRedBeard]

Very nice job, and fantastic polishing. Those should glide easily in a lock! Think the angles on the diamond are a little steep - they may have a harder time lifting a pin. Keep up the great work!

Gordon

Thanks for the feed back, I haven't really used the diamond mainly just the hooks because I'm a beginner but they do glide in locks smoothly. I free handed the diamond but I have some templates now I will make new diamond and some others too.

[bembel]

The tip of the 2nd hook could be more flat and the hd looks a little steep, but that's a personal preference.
Good work, nothing much to improve.

[CaptRedBeard]

The tip of the 2nd hook could be more flat and the hd looks a little steep, but that's a personal preference.
Good work, nothing much to improve.

Thanks! I'm still refining my pick making skills but I get better with each new pick I make. Hopefully soon I will have a great set and better skills to go with them.

[femurat]

Very nice picks, great results for a second attempt! I find the half diamond shape right. I like steep half diamonds, I think they work better. Just try it and learn how it works.

Cheers

[CaptRedBeard]

Very nice picks, great results for a second attempt! I find the half diamond shape right. I like steep half diamonds, I think they work better. Just try it and learn how it works.

Cheers

Thanks, I haven't used my half diamond I really like the feel and feedback from my hooks.

[cuttinedge1]

The picks themselves look good but the handles appear to be wrapped in electrical tape. While they might work they dont look as good and will dig into your fingers. There are lots of handle tutorials including the one I made on wooden handles. Other than that the picks look great.

[smokingman]

Looks great to me , you will save a lot of money making tools yourself.
As you use them you will fine tune the heights and angles untill they
work better for you than cookie cutter "storebought" tools .
As for handles , that is a personal preference, so whatever is comfortable to you works.
There's a satisfaction in using tools you made yourself, well done.

[Onz]

The finish on this are amazing! Much better than what I could do in a life time. Do you know what thickness they are?

[Paleo123]

Those are mint man. Nice job

[Drifty Flintlock]

Good stuff. Gorgeous polish.

I'm also curious how thick they came out. Tempted to go pick up a sewer rod myself.