Metal Grinder

[Exodus5000]

I want to try my hand at making my own / customizing new picks (via pyro1234321's video.) Problem being, i'm not sure where I can get access to a metal grinder. I could buy one, but i've looked and they're anywhere from 100 - 300 dollars american? (assuming I'm even looking at the kind of grinder that would work. Can someone please specify the type of grinder to be used?) I'm a poor college student, so all things cheap are welcome. Maybe someone is even willing to sell their old grinder at a very reasonable price...

[Varjeal]

You're looking into wayyyy to expensive of stuff. Standard bench grinders can be bought for as low as $20 U.S. Check out your local hardware stores, Home Depot, those kinds of things. No need to buy fancy Dewalt or anything either. Best to make sure the grinder has a coarse stone on one side and a fine one on the other.

[Exodus5000]

Amazing, looking up bench grinders and finding exactly what I need in the $20 - $30 range. Soon as I get home i'm heading over to the local hardware store. Now I just need an acetolene torch for bending my tension wrenches...

[Chucklz]

Harbor Freight has some serviceable grinders for very reasonable prices.

[salzi684]

You don't need an acetylene torch for bending tension wrenches, all you need is a standard propane.

[randmguy]

And you don't need acetylene...one of those cheap little butane torches generates more than enough heat for metal that this...Shouldn't cost you more than $15-$20 tops.

[Mad Mick]

TBH, I haven't used heat to bend any of my tools. (lockpicking ones anyway - don't ask about my drawer full of bent spanners).

[ghostdog]

Hehe, I don't even own a grinder. Just a standard Dremel tool and a handful of bits, grindstones, and cutoff wheels. I have a propane torch, but I've never used heat to bend wrenches, just a couple pair of pliers and a little muscle.

[technik]

but I've never used heat to bend wrenches, just a couple pair of pliers and a little muscle.

Same, but I dont use the pliers, just the muscle

[raimundo]

a grinder quickly heats metal, this changes the temper, typically making it hard and brittle. a pick should be very stiff, but not so hard as to break rather than bend a little. also, shafts should be tapered very slightly, but checked so that there is no thin spot. one small narrow spot will take all the bending, and if it dosen't have the lengh within the narrow spot, it will cause breaking by putting all the bend in a very small spot, since it is weaker than the whole shaft. it is better to make the whole shaft as thin as this weak spot if you have one, this will distribute the bending over a wider length and not cause breaking.
I make picks without a grinder. A new sharp file will cut a pick just as quickly as any one can grind one, and it will do it more accurately, in my experienced hands anyway. I use mostly sweeper bristle, so there is not so much to cut away and I bend cold using pliers. you cannot get the control over the bend with finbers that you can with two pliers. I set the bend after making it by heating the steel with a bic lighter for about 30 seconds at the bend, then quenching it in water. you can hold the steel in your hand while heating it. heat is not quickly distributed through steel.

[Chucklz]

When I grind something, I quench it very very often. I never let the material get even warm to the touch. I grind for a rough shape, but use a good quality file to do the final shaping.

To bend tension wrenches etc, I use the Peterson Bending tool. For bending wrenches, it has a nice curve to bend against so that you dont make too sharp of a bend. Definately a winner.

[Benroy44]

I have two Grinders that work fine for making picks, but I like to use my 1" Delta bench top belt sander, it takes a little longer but you don't over heat the metal and I feel that I have more control on the cut, you can get them for abought $60 at most Hardware stores.
Cya

[Exodus5000]

I got a grinder for 40 bucks. works beautifully. i find that i dont like carbon steel or other hacksaw metals as much as the store bought set i have. I'm looking for spring steel to no avail.
BTW, chucklz, where did you get that bending tool and how much did it cost?

[Romstar]

I'm looking for spring steel to no avail.

Um, okay, spring steel......

Flat steel plumbing snake.
Not as wide as comercial picks, but very adequate if you have a handle such as moulded rubber, or riveted or welded stainless handles. Hell, electrical or hockey tape, heat shrink tubing, certain silicone caulkings, glued on popcicle sticks. Anything you can think of as a handle.

Also, many steel rulers are made from spring steel. Also stainless steel. This requires considerably more cutting, but the metal is very good.

Some industrial bandsaws use tempered spring steel for their blades. this requires a bit of searching, but they are very good for a variety of tools.

Stainless and spring steel feeler gauge stock in 0.025" (that's 24 gauge) available from most industrial or mechanical supply shops. Sometimes a special order.

Then finally, www.smallparts.com

Go here, http://www.smallparts.com/products/descriptions/fss.cfm and select: FSS-25/8 This is 1/2" wide, by .025 thick. Buy the 12" lengths. They come in packs of ten, and that's enough for 20 picks.

Happy grinding,
Romstar

[Chucklz]

I got the Peterson tool with my Tri-Fold Set from them. I beleive they sell the same tool for approx $6 US.