My first homemade pick

[dan_c]

Well, I've have and use a South Ord set. Seeing the images of what you guys did sort of inspired me to try and make my own. I pretty much followed Pyros video to construct this. This is my very first homemade, I tried to keep things simple and used the south ord pick next to it as a reference for all the sizes and dimensions. I know I need to get some sand paper and polish it up now. =) Oh! Almost forgot the most important part! I tested it and it works great! Its on par with the south ord one. Since I haven't had it that long I can't tell you how long it will last.

[Pickety]

Pretty nice, kudos

[Santos718]

pretty good for your first. It's just gets better from here.

[dan_c]

Here's a picture of the above pick polished up as well as another one I made last night. I'm going to try and make some more intricate designs as soon as I get a file.

[steel blade]

Good to see your second pick was not a copy of a Southord (I think). Your collection starts growing here. Did you use a template for your second pick? Looks good! I'm going to grind one of those deep curves as soon as I get time. Keep it up.

[dan_c]

I didn't use another pick as a templete, but I did take a black sharpie and make a basic outline of it on the hacksaw blade before I started grinding. It sort of got muttled as I grinded more and more, but it gave me a place to start.

[steel blade]

Have you tried it out yet? I'm not sure how you use these curves. Are they for bypassing high pins? Is there a special technique?

[dan_c]

I've only used it on a couple of simple 5 tumbler locks so far. I got both of them to open picking pin by pin. It took a little getting use to. I'm not sure what they are actually designed for. I just wanted to try them out! They do seem good for bypassing pins and getting further back into the lock, though. I didn't use any special technique for this pick, but that's not to say there isn't one.

[steel blade]

Thanks dan_c,

from the pictures on this site a lot of guys are using them. The pick looks as if it wouldn't get hung up in the keyway either.
Gotta make one
I will post you a picture when I'm done.

[digital_blue]

The newest pick you made is much like the Falle-Safe "Deep Curve" picks. They have their moments. I have experimented extensively with this design and found that they work particularily well when you have a very low cut in one of your first two pin positions that is upset by the levering of a standard hook. Since the fulcrum is moved back toward the handle, it requires less vertical movement of the pick handle to effect the same lift at the pick head.

I like them, though I have developed a particular affinity for the progressive curves from the same set. Have a search on this site, and if you would like Falle-Safe templates please feel free to PM me with an email address and I will send them along.

Cheers.

db

[steel blade]

Thanks for the info. digital.
I've pm'd you with my e-mal address
I'd like a set of these templates too.

[Geek142]

Your homemade falles db are the best. I have made some homemade deep curve hook picks but they werent as good as yours.

Oh and dan c they look good. Keep at it and you will get better at making the shapes.

Geek