First time homebrew picks...

by **Auswahl** » 27 Mar 2008 19:18

Hello all at LP101! I have been hanging out here for the past few days, discovering my new hobby. This is going to be my first time making my own picks, and i would like some advice from the helpful people here

So I ordered a few picks (Short Hook, S Rake and a tension bar to start myself out) and they haven't even arrived yet. With the help of my dad, I plan on testing out some homemades. Yes, I know, I don't even have my first picks in yet, but experimenting wont hurt, right?

My dad (I believe I am a little young to be working on a grinder alone...) has a dremel tool and a bench grinder (strong DIY'er

). As usual, one side of the grinder is the actual grinder, and the other side is the wire/bristle side.

To get to the point, is there anything we need besides the hacksaws and bench grinder/dremel? I have heard of using polishing wheels and fine grinders, and I really want to make this a success.

I apologize for the rant and my run on sentences . All help will be gladly taken! :oops:

by **freakparade3** » 27 Mar 2008 19:29

Here are a few links. Good luck

viewtopic.php?t=10398

viewtopic.php?t=29135

viewtopic.php?t=30371

by **raimundo** » 28 Mar 2008 9:39

You need safty glasses, and use them. those power tools have tricks you haven't learned yet, and guys who do know them use the glasses.

by **therealmuffinman** » 28 Mar 2008 11:29

i only have a dremel and i think my picks come out pretty nice (they work too) so your already better off tool wise than i am. as rai said, safety glasses are a must for tools (i felt like a porqupine after i used the wire brush yesterday, i had spikes all over my face, thank god i was wearing goggles. the only thing i would suggest is in wallmart or a hobby shop, go to the automobile section (wallmart) and sandpaper section (hobby shop) and get a really high grit sandpaper (i use 2000) and it gives them a nice mirror finish

by **Auswahl** » 28 Mar 2008 15:34

Thanks guys, water, glasses and sandpaper will be attending the party too

by **bumber** » 28 Mar 2008 15:54

I think its better to use home brews to learn on in case you break anything its not such a big deal. When you get your pro picks make sure you shine em up real good and they should work out great.

What are you using for templates for your homebrews? Or are you doing them free-hand?

by **Auswahl** » 28 Mar 2008 17:48

I plan on trying out a few from the Romstar-17 page (although i dont know how much trouble it will be to get a hold of a laser printer, theres probably one where he works). We'll also be trying out making a twisted torsion wrench or two.

Were just going to fool around, i dont know if i mentioned it before, but he has a polishing addon (dont know what its called) for the grinder. Later on, if we decide we like them, we might pick up some plasti-dip (is there anything better we can find at Home Depot or Lowes?)

He even has a few door locks/deadbolts i can practice on

Even though i know they might be a little over my head, i feel pretty confident

Also, what is so special about the "Falle" picks? The ones in http://s177.photobucket.com/albums/w234 ... icks23.jpg just seem to have two very identical hooks.

And are there any fun ideas that you can suggest? He has a grinder, dremel and a blowtorch, so the only limit is our time and imagination.

Thank you all for the help

by **reenignE** » 28 Mar 2008 18:17

Falle style picks are pretty nifty, in my opinion.

From what I can decipher, falle style picks allow for more control over the pins. the way they are shaped makes it easier with high low pin configurations.

when used with a falle style tortion tool, it also frees up the entire keyway, giving you more feel, and more room to work.

Thats one of the next things on my purchase list....

by **Auswahl** » 29 Mar 2008 10:46

I don't know if that really explained it for me to understand, but I think I might know what you mean.

I guess the only way to truly find out is to make one yourself and try it.

Also, what is the best way to apply templates? I know laser-printer and steamer is favorable, but just in case there isn't a laser printer nearby. (There might even be one at his house).

Oh well, whatever happens, happens.

by **Kayvon** » 29 Mar 2008 17:08

Auswahl wrote:My dad (I believe I am a little young to be working on a grinder alone...) has a dremel tool and a bench grinder (strong DIY'er ).

Let me also add that you're going about this in the right way. I see a lot of kids (or adults that I mistake for kids, possibly) that don't want to get their parents involved in this hobby. You're smart to let your dad know what you're doing from the beginning.

Besides that, I'd imagine making picks would be a fun father-son activity. Maybe when mine grows up...

by **Auswahl** » 30 Mar 2008 17:57

So everything went as expected (maybe not as well in the end

) but i did get a buttload of tension wrenches (which were flex-twisted too

) which is good.

We free-styled a half ball, two diamonds and (tried) two s rakes but they snapped, and a long hook. Ill get some pictures up in a little bit.

Can anyone recommend a hacksaw blade type? We found that low-tinsel was great, but anything else bent (IE my good half-ball

) then snapped too easily.

P.S. We made about 5 tension wrenches from a few brazing rods (used for welding?). Those, flex-twisted with a blow torch....omg heaven.

by **vitti** » 30 Mar 2008 19:43

The carbon steel blades work best. The "anti-snap" or "anti-break" ones will work but do bend easier.

Any hacksaw blade should work well as long as it is quenched frequently to avoid damaging the temper of the steel.

by **Loop** » 3 Apr 2008 0:22

reenignE wrote:Falle style picks are pretty nifty, in my opinion.

From what I can decipher, falle style picks allow for more control over the pins. the way they are shaped makes it easier with high low pin configurations.

when used with a falle style tortion tool, it also frees up the entire keyway, giving you more feel, and more room to work.

Thats one of the next things on my purchase list....

What are falle picks?

Got a picture of them with the tension tool?

by **jgor** » 3 Apr 2008 0:29

Loop wrote:What are falle picks?

Got a picture of them with the tension tool?

Falle picks are a series of arched hooks, and the tension tools fit in the very top and bottom of the keyway, leaving the middle wide open for picking.

by **jgor** » 3 Apr 2008 0:35

Actually, ignore my description of the tension wrenches, I haven't used them and i'm sure i got it backwards. Just enjoy the pretty pictures and wait for an expert to come along

First time homebrew picks...

First time homebrew picks...

safty glasses

Re: First time homebrew picks...

Who is online