My first (DIY) picks/rakes.

[DerekH]

Not really sure on which they should be called, but they are the first ones I've made and so far seem to work very well on the Masterlock #3 I have been using them on. Nothing too fancy, and I doubt they are even close to decent quality as compared to some I've seen, but I figured I would just toss them up and see what everyone thinks.



Tension wrench is made from a windshield wiper metal thingy and the others are made from Porter Cable 12 TPI jig saw blades. Cutout with files, dremel, and then sanded through various grits up to 600 and then polished with White Diamond polishing compound.

Be gentle, these are my first ones.

(Apologies if this is posted in the wrong area or if I am stepping on any toes or anything.)

[smokingman]

Looks pretty sweet to me, kudos !

[femurat]

Congrats, they look nice and smooth.

I guess they make a lot of brass filings when you turn the reciprocating saw on I'm just kidding

Cheers

[DerekH]

Thanks! They are actually mirror polish but I had to let them get a bit grungy so they wouldn't reflect all the light everywhere back at the camera. I am definitely pleased with how well they appear to work, especially for my first attempts. I've been using White Diamond polish alot recently since I heard about how well it has done for the straight razor folks and it is pretty much black magic in a bottle in terms of polishing ease.

[easy-e]

What are you going to use for a handle? It looks like with a bit of shaping they may fit in the Southord Dimple Pick's handle.

http://www.southord.com/Lock-Picking-Tools/15-Piece-Dimple-Pick-Set.html

[DerekH]

I will probably be using this precision screwdriver handle I have (here's a pic)



since I've already got it laying around, and it will hold about five to six of these types of picks in the rear. Has a slotted collet that works fairly well without any modification for these.

[teamstarlet]

They look really nice! Great work.

[DerekH]

Got five done. Precision screwdriver handle holds five or six with a few of the actual precision screwdriver bits that came with it. Never know when you might need those so I figure that is just an added bonus. Here are pics:





Total contents are four screwdriver bits, punch and awl bits, and five picks.

[torontosafecracker]

Very nicely done, I may take a page from your book and do something similar.



TSC

[DerekH]

Here's where I'm at now:



Half diamond, hook, L rake, Bogota with three peaks, Bogota single peak, and something that I am hoping will serve as a bypass tool for the lock on an old file cabinet downstairs that I've lost the keys to. Couple of tension wrenches, and the precision bits and punch and awl bits that came with the set. All but the tension wrenches fit inside the screwdriver handle.

[Mansoarusrex]

I really like your setup, its esspecially nice that you have a nice handle/case for all of them as well. I may have to look into building something similar myself when i find the time. They look pretty awesome, good job.

[FreyGrimrod]

So after you pick it open you can use the screwdrivers to gut the lock... I don't suppose there is any chance that screwdriver handle is of a diameter to act as a plug follower? Squeeze some tweezers in there and yeesh...

[DerekH]

So after you pick it open you can use the screwdrivers to gut the lock... I don't suppose there is any chance that screwdriver handle is of a diameter to act as a plug follower? Squeeze some tweezers in there and yeesh...

I don't know what a plug follower is, but the handle is 1/2" thick. Tweezers are carried elsewhere on my person, see pics below.

[YouLuckyFox]

Nice set up, would you mind labeling what all is in the picture that I might be able to look it up? Very, very nice job with those picks, by the way.

[Divinorum]

So after you pick it open you can use the screwdrivers to gut the lock... I don't suppose there is any chance that screwdriver handle is of a diameter to act as a plug follower? Squeeze some tweezers in there and yeesh...

I don't know what a plug follower is, but the handle is 1/2" thick. Tweezers are carried elsewhere on my person, see pics below.

A plug follower is something used when rekeying a cylinder. When you remove the plug to rekey it you put the plug follower through the back of the cylinder and use it to push the plug out. The plug follower will keep all the top pins in place while the plug is removed. Makes re keying a whole lot easier. Are you a survivalist / prepper ? Cool gear.