Rust problem remedy

by **Chrispy** » 23 May 2005 18:42

Homemade picks tend to rust rather quickly (as I have found out) and the splotchy red/brown marks appearing all over my nice picks are quite bothersome. I stumbled onto this remedy whilst creating a template page of my picks (which is available in this forum and hopefully on zeke's site as well)

Blutack

I had used Blutack to hold my picks in place on the paper while photcopying them, and when I removed the blutack, most of the rust (there was only a little bit anyway) had come off on the Blutack.

The Blutack was in contact with the metal for approximately 15-20 mins and I would be interested to see what happens when the metal is in contact with the Blutack for, say, 24 hours. I have just covered my picks in Blutack and will remove it later tonight to see the results. I think that several applications over a 24 hour period would completely remove all traces of rust. Now comes the hassle of "tacking up" my picks every so often. Oh well, better than rust I suppose.....

There were other suggestions for rust removal/prevention including steel wool, sand paper, oil, etc.

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=7384&highlight=rust

Chrispy

by **stick** » 23 May 2005 18:55

I'm assuming Blutack is an adhesive. The problem with using that is that it's not a preventive measure. If you rely on Blutack to get rid of rust, your metal will end up pitted and weakened.

by **Chrispy** » 23 May 2005 19:10

Blutack is an adhesive putty, kinda like playdough, and yes, there is that possibility of weakening the metal. However, these are homemade picks and can be replaced for a total cost of about 30c AUD + 30 mins labour on my part. :lol:

As I cannot purchase a decent set of picks, I have come to rely on making them. Easier, cheaper, and more rewarding. Plus, they're going to break after a couple of months anyway, but I get your point. Any other ideas on how to prevent/remove rust?

Chrispy

by **stick** » 23 May 2005 19:20

I haven't had any problems with rust, but if I ever do, I'll probably go with Romstar's suggestion of gun blue.

by **CaptHook** » 23 May 2005 20:21

Whats better, is before storing picks, or after use, wipe with a little oil and leave a film of it on the bare metal.
Chuck

by **digital_blue** » 23 May 2005 21:57

Chrispy wrote:Plus, they're going to break after a couple of months anyway, but I get your point.

To this day I've never had a pick (homemade or otherwise) break on me. I also have never had any problem with rust, so maybe I'm just the lucky type. But, none the less, I suspect if you're having trouble with picks breaking you are either letting the metal get too hot while grinding, or you are pretty heavy handed with your picking technique.

Just my thoughts... as always.

db

by **HeadHunterCEO** » 23 May 2005 22:06

at least once a month i hose down my picks in the case as well as my lockout kit with wd40

i live in VA US and it is fairly humid here

by **vector40** » 23 May 2005 23:19

I agree. I can't imagine breaking a pick. Maybe bend it if you're just a total savage, but... I'm not even sure HOW I'd go about breaking one, short of bending it back and forth until it stress-fractured.

by **capt.dunc** » 24 May 2005 6:28

i thought you believed that your pick gun was broken :lol:

by **vector40** » 24 May 2005 8:05

*glares*

Broken like my social life... not like a Twix bar.

by **Chrispy** » 24 May 2005 17:04

The reason my picks are braking (only two have broken so far) is because the original hacksaw blades that I used to make the first few picks were very low quality and snapped very easily. I have since swapped blade brands for a stronger hacksaw blade and doubt these ones will snap.

Chrispy

Rust problem remedy

Rust problem remedy

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