DIY without tools?

[infrasonic]

I couldn't find any people selling lockpicks in my country (Malaysia) and prolly the only way I can get into the hobby of lockpicking is by making my own picks.

Problem is I have no power tools at home, not even a file.
If say I bought a Dremel, and probably with a vice, would it be possible for me to make picks out of hacksaw blades??
And by Dremel I mean rotary tool, not a hand grinder..

Something like this :

[mechanical_nightmare]

Yes, it is indeed possible to make picks using a dremel/proxxon rotary tool. How well they turn out depends on the skill of the tool maker. However, personally I would recommend a bench grinder, as it is much easier. Also, if you remove all the excess metal with a dremel, you will be using up quite a few abrasive discs. (They wear out/break.) Taking the majority off with a bench grinder, and then using the dremel, followed by filing and sanding, is the way to go. Make sure you use good material for your picks. There are many threads discussing the types of steel, etc. Good luck!

[GWiens2001]

Also, prevent the metal from getting too hot. That would destroy the temper of the metal, and the picks will break very easily. Usually dip my picks-in-progress in water every few seconds to keep it cool.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Gordon

[femurat]

You don't want to make many tools, just an half diamond and a hook are a good start.
You'll need more tension wrenches, but yo make tension wrenches you only need pliers.

I think that a dremel is more than enough to start your experience.
Once you're sure you like picking and making tools, do buy a bench grinder.

Good luck

[infrasonic]

The Dremel that I'm going to buy comes together with this engraving kits which looks like file, could these be used to file down the saw blades?
I don't mind if it takes a long time, as long as it last, will these ever wear out by just filing down saw blades?

[femurat]

Everything wears out. How quickly depends on the quality of those diamond coated bits. I've never used them so I can't tell you if and how long they last. I've used the standard cutoff disk and I know you need more than one to make a pick out of a hacksaw blade. Now I've this one and I'm pretty happy about it.

Cheers

[GWiens2001]

As long as you do not use heavy force and do not get those diamond bits really hot, they should last a very long time.

They will cut the steel, though not quickly. Given time, they will cut through many things.

Gordon

[Squelchtone]

does Deal Extreme from China ship to Malaysia? You may not find any local companies, but that doesnt mean you can import =)

http://dx.com/p/stainless-steel-hook-lo ... wYNc4U9nyg

[bembel]

There's one thing which wasn't mentioned yet: You should wear safety glasses. And unless you want to breathe in all that dust, you should also wear a mask or at least go outside.

[torontosafecracker]

Alot of the time, those 'diamond bits' are actually 'carbide bits' same principle , a harder substance is used to make the steel shaft more abrasive and resistant to wear.

but with carbide or diamond, you must use very little pressure against the steel and you should use lots of lubricant.

otherwise those little bits will come off and you'll be going nowhere fast.

I'd recommend the thick stone discs, and then use those tipped bit to clean up, then a file or sandpaper.

Good luck!!

TSC

[easy-e]

Also, prevent the metal from getting too hot. That would destroy the temper of the metal, and the picks will break very easily. Usually dip my picks-in-progress in water every few seconds to keep it cool.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Gordon

In a knife grinding class I took, our teacher said he prefers to use pre-hardened knife blanks and he always grinds his blades without gloves on. As soon as he feels the blade heating up he dunks it in a bucket of water he has next to his grinder. I've used this process successfully when making other tools, but I haven't made any lockpicks yet.

[infrasonic]

does Deal Extreme from China ship to Malaysia? You may not find any local companies, but that doesnt mean you can import =)

http://dx.com/p/stainless-steel-hook-lo ... wYNc4U9nyg

Wow thanks!! But I think I'll just buy the cheaper set first as this fits my budget for picks..
I might be buying this set.
http://dx.com/p/7-in-1-universal-civil- ... whsLfmSwmt





Thanks everyone for the reply!! I think I'll just buy a cheap set online first before I buy any power tools to make DIY picks..

[cuttinedge1]

If you have a good bit of time and patience buy a few files. The picks will turn out better and you will get more satisfaction when you make your picks. The files will last for a long time and wont mess up the heat treat of the metal you are making your picks out of.

[illusion]

does Deal Extreme from China ship to Malaysia? You may not find any local companies, but that doesnt mean you can import =)

http://dx.com/p/stainless-steel-hook-lo ... wYNc4U9nyg

Wow thanks!! But I think I'll just buy the cheaper set first as this fits my budget for picks..
I might be buying this set.
http://dx.com/p/7-in-1-universal-civil- ... whsLfmSwmt

Thanks everyone for the reply!! I think I'll just buy a cheap set online first before I buy any power tools to make DIY picks..

That's not a bad set, the dimple rake (I assume that is what it is!) looks interesting.

You can make picks with hacksaw blades, a Dremel and cut-off grinding discs quite easily and cheaply. Worth considering for when you do get round to making picks and ebay churns the cut-off discs out fairly cheaply.

[infrasonic]

If you have a good bit of time and patience buy a few files. The picks will turn out better and you will get more satisfaction when you make your picks. The files will last for a long time and wont mess up the heat treat of the metal you are making your picks out of.

I tried with the file I've had at home, took me 15 mins or more to make a small groove on the windshield wiper blades
I'll try the same with saw blades when I have time to buy them..

does Deal Extreme from China ship to Malaysia? You may not find any local companies, but that doesnt mean you can import =)

http://dx.com/p/stainless-steel-hook-lo ... wYNc4U9nyg

Wow thanks!! But I think I'll just buy the cheaper set first as this fits my budget for picks..
I might be buying this set.
http://dx.com/p/7-in-1-universal-civil- ... whsLfmSwmt

Thanks everyone for the reply!! I think I'll just buy a cheap set online first before I buy any power tools to make DIY picks..

That's not a bad set, the dimple rake (I assume that is what it is!) looks interesting.

You can make picks with hacksaw blades, a Dremel and cut-off grinding discs quite easily and cheaply. Worth considering for when you do get round to making picks and ebay churns the cut-off discs out fairly cheaply.

Yeah, after I got my picks and if I'm really into lockpicking, I'll get dremel and a mini vise. Bought a $2 stuff from DealExtreme just to see if it's reliable, reached my home after 3 weeks..will be buying the picks soon~