What kind of materials should I use to make picks?

[MBI]

Ok so I am going to try to make my first set of picks but I dont know what materials to use right now I have a 4" screw clamp and now i know
hanger=ok
clamp=decent
any haelp will be vary appreciated

[johnpsmith84]

you can use feeler gauges, windshield wiper inserts, hacksaws, i saw some one buying pearinging knifes and made picks out of them, or u can just buy a set.

[mrnico]

I posted once before, but you can use rifle ammunition stripper clips like 7.62x39 ammo for Aks and SKSs come loaded on. It is good durable hard metal. I saw them for sale at Sportsman's Guide's website recently pretty cheap.

Nick A

[zsoutendijk]

i say hacksaws... feeler gauges too, good quality steel!

good luck!

-Zack

[Anero]

street sweeper bristles

plumber snake

i found a carpet snake(used for pulling cable under carpet) that is made out of stainless steel

hacksaw blades

brick strap works, i mostly use it for testing new pick shapes, you can normally find it for free at construction sites etc.

[mrnico]

Windshield wiper blades have a thin stainless steel piece that can make good tension wrenches.

Harbor Freight sells fish tapes, which may be thin enough to use. Wait until they are on sale, of course!

Nico

[buzzardbait]

Hi all, I'm new here, great site! Just wanted to add another source of material for making picks. The flat strip of spring steel, found in the recoil starter of junk lawnmower engines. The stuff I found is, .025"X 5/16"X about, 8 feet long. Of course, it's coiled up and you have to straighten it out but, it's pretty easy to do by hand and makes great picks.

CAUTION: be careful removing it. Wear safety goggles and gloves. You don't want to unleash it and hit you in the eye. The best way I've found, is to pull the starter rope out a couple of feet or so and cut the rope next to the housing. This will release pretty much, all the tension on the spring. Then, you can unbolt the housing from the engine and bend open, the retaining tabs and remove the starter pulley. The spring is under the pulley. AGAIN, USE CAUTION, and keep your safety gear on while removing the spring.

I haven't tried snapping it off like a hacksaw blade but, have cut it with a good pair of Wiss tin snips. If you're right handed, get the red handled ones or the yellow or, just cut it with a Dremmel.

Good Luck;

buzzardbait

[Safety0ff]

Does anyone know good cheap sources for stainless steel?

[bumber]

have you seen this thread, they are a fair price if you fet them at the right places...I would avoid department stores that is(K-Mart, Wal-Mart etc.)

[Safety0ff]

Thank you, yes I had seen it but I miss the part where it said stainless.

[mrnico]

Well, you beat me to it! I just took one of these apart yesterday and thought it might be useful. I was out in the desert looking for scrap metal to melt down, and found a pull starter assembly. I picked it up for the zinc pulley inside, but I kept the spring also to try making lock tools out of. Will try it when I get the time.

[herroldj]

you can try a metal tong rake, they are cheap here in the states, and you get a cool pole too. great for those occasions when your at a sorority house needing a pole or just are fed up with the idiot wanting you to unlock their door for free

[buzzardbait]

Hi guys, got another source of pick material for you. go to www.mcmaster.com and look up feeler gauge stock.
It comes in individual 12 inch long pieces, (each or packs of 12), and in rolls, from 10 to 20 feet. Everything is 1/2 inch wide. It can be had in steel or stainless. The 12 inch pieces have rounded ends. This stuff will save you from having to grind the teeth off of hacksaw blades.

I haven't personally, tried this stuff but, I know others have made picks from feeler gauge sets. Buying the material this way though, you can get all the same thickness.

I have no affiliation with this company, just wanted to pass on a source. I've bought tons of stuff from them over the years. They're good people to deal with.

You can also get this material from www.use-enco.com


buzzardbait

[bluetyr]

Hi guys, got another source of pick material for you. go to www.mcmaster.com and look up feeler gauge stock.
It comes in individual 12 inch long pieces, (each or packs of 12), and in rolls, from 10 to 20 feet. Everything is 1/2 inch wide. It can be had in steel or stainless. The 12 inch pieces have rounded ends. This stuff will save you from having to grind the teeth off of hacksaw blades.

I haven't personally, tried this stuff but, I know others have made picks from feeler gauge sets. Buying the material this way though, you can get all the same thickness.

I have no affiliation with this company, just wanted to pass on a source. I've bought tons of stuff from them over the years. They're good people to deal with.

You can also get this material from www.use-enco.com


buzzardbait

What is an ideal thickness to get when going with feeler gauge stock? And or better yet what are the thickness of the USA regulare and Euro slimline picks? I can easily grab my micrometer when out trying to source material.........

[Safety0ff]

...what are the thickness of the USA regulare and Euro slimline picks? I can easily grab my micrometer when out trying to source material.........

Check this thread