what could i use?

[cman5uk]

i have recently made my first set of picks and have been fairly successful with them, i have been able to open several padlocks. but all i have got to make picks is a bench grinder that has a fine wheel and a coarse wheel, does anyone know of any other fairly cheap machinery i could use to make picks?

[zeke79]

a nice set of round files, a small flat file and a good supply of 220-600 grit sandpaper for final shaping and finishing.

[Romstar]

A nice conbination sander.

1 inch standing belt, and either a disc, or a 4 inch belt. These tools are fairly common. If you don't know what I mean, I'll find a link for you.

I've used these sanders for shaping a lot of metal projects. Oh, and a small drill press if you want to get really fancy.

If you want to get ridiculously intricate, get very intimate with a dremel, or buy a mini grinder that can use 1/4 inch wide wheels.

Sick of polishing by hand? Buy a small polishing tumbler.

Then there are miniature files. These should be a standard part of your work bench.

Romstar

[hzatorsk]

I'm with Romstar on this... but... perhaps a different order.

If you don't already have a Dremel, there are 11 bejillion uses for one.

[bushd]

If you want very precise picks, or jigglers like I have started to make, get a very good set of small hand files, I have a set of 5 from Radioshack that I use. Takes a long time but the amount of detail is very good. Unfortunately a byproduct of this is taking a long time. I don't have a long time, as I found out what is required for my autojigglers with hand files, so I will be purchasing mine.

[Cypherninja]

I third the hand files. The fine ones are quite good at making 'adjustments' after the grinder.

Also, the Dremel is always usefull.

[Ultimatederrenfan]

I have a small set of about 10 needle files that i carry around with me, i find them handy whenever there is a time when i need toslightly moderate them, then there is also the bristles you can buy from quikolocks, they are top quality,
Good louck and well done
Dan

[pickersRus]

1 good set of small handfiles in various shapes
2 Dremel and metal working accessories
3 A good small vice with face plates
4 sandpaper of various grit
5 a very good light source
6 bench grinder
this list is in no particular order and I am sure that many other items are and can be used but this is the equipment I currently use and have fairly good success with.
GOOD LUCK and happy picking

[cman5uk]

thanks to all. some useful advice, i think i will get some mini files to start with, they sound useful