Stainless steel lock picks.

[Harken]

I have given up on hack saw blades as they tend to break easily
while picking.

I believe I have found the perfect substitute for myself
and made a half diamond and long hook this PM and will
try a rake to morrow.

I found some stainless clips in basement that were used as
clips on a wooden picnic table to hold down a paper table cloth
and prevent it from blowing away.

I straighten the clips flat with a hammer and shaped them on my grinder. they shape easily without problem in about 5/10 minutes
then debur them with emery paper.

They work great and you use your imagination for handles if you
wish them

[logosys]

I have given up on hack saw blades as they tend to break easily
while picking.

I believe I have found the perfect substitute for myself
and made a half diamond and long hook this PM and will
try a rake to morrow.

I found some stainless clips in basement that were used as
clips on a wooden picnic table to hold down a paper table cloth
and prevent it from blowing away.

I straighten the clips flat with a hammer and shaped them on my grinder. they shape easily without problem in about 5/10 minutes
then debur them with emery paper.

They work great and you use your imagination for handles if you
wish them

Seems like a good idea, but how big are your picks? Do you have any pictures?

[Harken]

They are about 5 1/2 inches and lengthened to 6 1/2 inches
by adding handles.

Sorry--I dont have equipment for pictures on my PC.

[frollard]

thats an awesome idea for matterial - springy/stainless

excellent

[Romstar]

I'm glad someone got these things to work

I have about 500 of the things here, and after grinding they weren't very good. Thin, easily bent, and untempered.

Now if he has better ones than I do, they would make EXCELLENT picks. I just know the ones I have suck once they are flattened and ground.

Are you doing anything special with them other than just grinding them?

Romstar

[Harken]

Romstar

Not doing anything specials other than dipping in water
several times during grinding to cool them.

If what you are using is not pinic table clips that may be your problem. Slightly flexible and grind easily. Best material i have
found.

[CaptHook]

Speaking of clips, check out your local office supply store for "bankers clips". They are stainless, look kinda like a money clip, only the are about 3/4" wide by approx 5-6" long. You should be able to get 2 picks out of each clip.
Chuck

[frollard]

keep in mind you may have some higher-quality ones than rommy does.

all products have their good, and their 'cheap' counterparts. I still wanna see pics of these!

[Romstar]

I wish I knew what it was that's different.

The ones I have are definately stainless steel. Very springy and everything.
I have a water flow over my grinding wheel, so it isn't being over heated. Once they are ground though, they just bend too much. Like there is no real temper to the steel.

Anyway, I'll just keep trying and see if there are any different ones in the pile.

Romstar

[Harken]

Romstar--

I still have one clip left and I believe there are some
markings on it so I will try to decipher them to morrow
and post --This may be of some help.
Mine are definitely not overly flexible.

[Harken]

Only marks on my remaining clip-"-Cochlan's Ltd. Winnipeg Canada".

Same guage as hacksaw blade.

[Chucklz]

Coughlan's Possibly?

This company is known for its cheap outdoors equipment. Lots of variability between the same item. Most is junk however.

[Harken]

I stand corrected--you are right. The imprint is
hard to read.

I find the quality to be good and and am happy
with results.

[spunoff]

DOH ! ever thought of that steel ?
grind slowly so it doesn't get hot ,

have a nice day