substituting picks?

[QACman91]

Hi this is my first post on this form but anyways... i am only thirteen so i don't have access to much money and i was at wal mart today and saw a crokeying ( i know that is spelled wrong) needle/pin and it looked like a pick... so i get home and try it on a lock but it is not fitting right. it is only 1.40 mm wide i think. i am thinking i should file it down but i don't know what to file it with. i was thinking sand paper but not sure. please help

thanks vey much

[marso]

Use a file? There is a huge amount of information about how to make picks, and even alternative or improvised picks. Do a search on making or improvised and I am sure you will find something.

[QACman91]

thank you

[kuefler]

my first pick, and so far best pick, was made from a filed down croche needle (croche? word!) later i'll post a pic of my tools, which by the way are at the moment, substandard... at best.

[QACman91]

cool i just filed down my croquet (sp) needle with a file but did you curve yours at all

[kuefler]

http://www.geocities.com/flash_glider/lock

I did ciurve it, and the curve keeps changing, the more I learn the better I hone it down. Work pretty good in my opinion... wish it was spring steel though, so it'd bend back to shape when i'm rough with it.

[Romstar]

You can get .5mm and and .7mm crochet hooks at most craft places. These file down nicely. Look carefully, and you will find the better stainless steel ones, and not the cheap aluminum ones.

Also, you can keep your newly made pick in the same vinyl envelope it came in. Thus, instead of people thinking you pick locks, they'll just think you have a strange hobby. Tell them crocheting is relaxing.

I have a female friend who keeps her lock picks in a crochet hook case, and it not only looks excellent, but she jams it into a bag with yarn and her other craft stuff. She could be anywhere, and I doubt that anyone would even raise an eyebrow.

Look over the forum using the search button for information concerning making your own picks.

Good luck,
Romstar

[QACman91]

thanks for all the replys guys

Geocities said it will be an hour til your site is restored kuefler.... can't wait to see it later

[Chucklz]

Check out macaba's post

viewtopic.php?t=2662&highlight=crochet