first time making lockpick

[infrasonic]

Back then, like very long time ago, I bought some cheap picks from a China website, and it didn't turn out very good..took me like 7 minutes just to open a normal cheapo lock, still couldn't get the hang of "feeling" pins. Perhaps its the pick, or maybe just my skills.. So I decided to make some picks myself. With the limited supplies I have, all I used were a marker, vise and dremel.





As you can see, the bit is pretty worn out after use but I wouldn't mind as one of that grinding bit cost less than a dollar.

Just some ideas I thought I could share with people with limited supplies like me
By the way, the pick in the second picture isn't done yet, still have to do some work with hand files and sandpaper

[Legion303]

Not bad for a first try; it looks like a perfectly serviceable 1/2 diamond. But don't use those stone Dremel bits to shape! They take forever and transfer way too much heat to the metal. Try the brown cutoff wheels instead--hold at right-angles to the metal and let the Dremel do the work (don't try to force the wheel into the metal). Once you have the hang of it you can cut 5-6 picks with one wheel, and they're fairly cheap in bulk.

[KPick]

Hey bro u did very good with that pick.. Just saying. I sure wish I had the stuff to make my own lock picks

[infrasonic]

Not bad for a first try; it looks like a perfectly serviceable 1/2 diamond. But don't use those stone Dremel bits to shape! They take forever and transfer way too much heat to the metal. Try the brown cutoff wheels instead--hold at right-angles to the metal and let the Dremel do the work (don't try to force the wheel into the metal). Once you have the hang of it you can cut 5-6 picks with one wheel, and they're fairly cheap in bulk.

They do take forever but it doesn't actually transfer a lot of heat to it, I even tried grinding it for like 30 seconds non-stop and it's only warm to touch after that.
However when I used fiberglass cut-off disc on another scrap piece, the metal changed color in like 10 seconds. Haven't got the chance to try the brown cutoff wheels yet.

[serrurier]

Nicely done!

My first and only homemade pick I used a hacksaw blade on a stationary grinder. I still have it but I have yet to find it useful I think I must have missed the angle but I keep it around just in case.

Good luck with your other picks

[billdeserthills]

Hey bro u did very good with that pick.. Just saying. I sure wish I had the stuff to make my own lock picks

Go to harbor freight and buy a cheap copy of a dremel tool, the rest of the materials you can find in the trash at the auto parts store when it rains!

[GWiens2001]

Bought a Dremel once from Harbor Freight as was in a pinch and needed one fast. About the only thing that dremel would grind is jello, and that only if it was not too cold.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

Bought a Dremel once from Harbor Freight as was in a pinch and needed one fast. About the only thing that dremel would grind is jello, and that only if it was not too cold.

Gordon

Take it back, chances are good the 8-year old who made the broken tool was already beaten severely
and the next tool will be better

[infrasonic]

Here's the pick after some filing..
Since i used car's wiper insert, it kinda thick and i'm trying to thin it down now..
No luck with my practice lock tho, last time I get to open it by luck in 5 minutes, tried it with this pick and no chance even after 10 mins of picking. Perhaps that's the result of not picking for months.
Will get another practice lock to practice SPP.

[KPick]

Bought a Dremel once from Harbor Freight as was in a pinch and needed one fast. About the only thing that dremel would grind is jello, and that only if it was not too cold.

Gordon

What do you recommend Gwiens, with all your wisdom and knowledge, as a good grinding tool?

[GWiens2001]

Bought a Dremel once from Harbor Freight as was in a pinch and needed one fast. About the only thing that dremel would grind is jello, and that only if it was not too cold.

Gordon

What do you recommend Gwiens, with all your wisdom and knowledge, as a good grinding tool?

What??? Me??? Wisdom? You do have a sense of humor, KPick.

However, love my Dremel 4000. Variable speed, and plenty of power for anything you might need to use a dremel for, but it is corded. Also have the Dremel 2000 as a cordless tool, but it does not have the horsepower of the 4000. Used to use a Black and Decker, but the button that locks the spindle in place broke. I fixed it, but my wife bought me the Dremel for a birthday gift a few days later. So the B&D stays here at home with the 2000. The 4000 stays at work, since have more need for it there.

Gordon

[KPick]

Brain says Dremel corded

Heart says Dremel cordless

Oh yeah I have an ultimatum. As for my sense of humor... Oh yeah its there alright Gwiens.

[smokingman]

Go with a corded dremel if you get one,
the cordless does not last long enough between charges and
does not have enough power for hardened steel.
A cheap variable speed grinder and a corded dremel type
tool and some jewlers files and you will have everything
necessary for making just about any small tools.