Pick Maintenance

[deolslyfox]

You've got your new picks, they're all polished up and you've been using them successfully for awhile. Next time you pull one out, take a hard look at it.

Where's that "surgical equipment" shine ?? Where did all those scratches come from ?? How did I nick my favorite hook so badly ?? When did I bend that one ?? What's all that gunk on the shaft / handle ??

Picking is tough on the equipment. Even though the innards of most locks are brass, those continued scrapings across the edges of wards and the front of the case will eventually take a toll. Its harder on carbon steel picks than stainless, but either needs to be cared for periodically.

Long story short .... Just like you clean your weapons, wax the car, etc, you should give your picks a little TLC every now and again to keep 'em runnin' thru those locks smoothly, and of course, lookin' nice. A smooth, clean pick is more efficient and provides better feedback, reducing your pick time and improving your success rate.

I did my "pick maintenance" today which involved touching up 3 with a file, straightening two in a vise and re-polishing about a dozen.

It only took about an hour of my time and now my picks are lookin' good again.

How long between pick "maintenance" sessions ? Depends on how much you use 'em. If you pick a couple hours a day, every day like I do, then your "favorites" can probably stand a little TLC every week or so. If you pick more or if you're a "rough" picker, maybe less time between each session. If you only haul out your weapons on the weekend / rainy days, then maybe once a month or "as needed" is appropriate for you.

What's involved ?? Wipe 'em down with Windex or alcohol. Get all the gunk off the shafts and handles. Inspect for nicks, dings and scratches. Light damage can be polished out. I generally start with 600 grit and work up to 2000 grit. Don't forget the edges and the inside and nose of the hooks. Bigger dings may reuire a light touch with a small file before the polishing process.

When you're done, wipe 'em down again and return to you pouch / tool kit. That's it !!

Hope this is helpful.

[Comrade627]

I've been meaning to do this for about 6 months now. Perhaps I'll take care of it this weekend.

[billdeserthills]

I just use them until they bend too bad, or break & then I toss them in a box in the shop
I always feel guilty about throwing them away, I'll prolly wind up as a hoarder

[onionz]

I just tried sanding the edges of my new picks and ended up with a slice on my finder tip. Be careful when sanding them.

[Comrade627]

I just tried sanding the edges of my new picks and ended up with a slice on my finder tip. Be careful when sanding them.

Same boat. Either way, maintenance complete.

[KPick]

Nice! Your tools are mirrored out and they look good. How did you manage to get them so shiny and what tools did you use?

[Comrade627]

Nice! Your tools are mirrored out and they look good. How did you manage to get them so shiny and what tools did you use?

Easy day man.

As far as the polishing goes, I started with 400 grit sand paper and a smooth wooden surface (wood doesn't really scratch).
I'd go in circles on the pick with the 400 grit until it looked pretty even, then 600, 800, 1000, 2000.

No chemicals or waxes were used.

[deolslyfox]

I just tried sanding the edges of my new picks and ended up with a slice on my finder tip. Be careful when sanding them.

I should have included the tip from kokomolock. Fold sandpaper and put it between the pages of an old book. Slide the pick in and out of the folded paper. I put coarse on the bottom and finer towards the top. Bosnianbill has a video on this also

[deolslyfox]

I just use them until they bend too bad, or break & then I toss them in a box in the shop
I always feel guilty about throwing them away, I'll prolly wind up as a hoarder

Those old picks would make a decent starter for a newbie with just a little TLC. They can be ground down to make probes, knives and other bypass tools.

If you bend a LOT of of picks consider making some from stainless steel. I have some I've made out of .025 and .015 stainless and haven't bent one of those yet. Also, while not cheap, the Peterson Government Steel line is strong.

[billdeserthills]

I just use them until they bend too bad, or break & then I toss them in a box in the shop
I always feel guilty about throwing them away, I'll prolly wind up as a hoarder

Those old picks would make a decent starter for a newbie with just a little TLC. They can be ground down to make probes, knives and other bypass tools.

If you bend a LOT of of picks consider making some from stainless steel. I have some I've made out of .025 and .015 stainless and haven't bent one of those yet. Also, while not cheap, the Peterson Government Steel line is strong.

It's OK, happens to be a cost of doing business and is tax deductible