Should i buy picks or make my own first-time picks?

by **Armitage** » 16 Jun 2005 18:11

Hello everyone! First, please excuse any grammar and spelling errors i make. My native language is not English, but Swedish. I hope i don't make too many.

I've read about lockpicking, so I know some theory behind it, and how I am SUPPOSED to do it. But I'll surely fail the first times anyway, but that's just a part of the learning process. "Learning by doing" i guess...

Anyway, since I didn't get a job over the summer this year, I thought "Why not give it a try and learn something new". I searched a bit and found this forum.

Now to the acctual question... Should I make my own picks or should I buy them from somewhere? I'm pretty good with handling tools, but I've never done this before, so I thought I should ask for some advice in what to choose. I have access to many different machines for working with metal except grinders, and they work with tolerances down to 10Âµm.

by **Chucklz** » 16 Jun 2005 18:19

I would say for your first few picks, get a very basic commercial set, then make your own after that. Get ideas from the commercial set, especially about size. Cheers.

by **Grudge** » 16 Jun 2005 19:41

Chucklz is right, there is nothing like having something real to start your work from. You don't need a monster set, however, one or two picks and tension wrench(s). Lots of sites have templates (pictures with a ruler for a scale). You probably would also be interested in watching the making_picks_1.wmv video (LP101 search or Google for it). Great video on using a grinder to make picks. Good luck

by **Mad Mick** » 16 Jun 2005 19:45

Ditto what Chuck & Grudge said, and your English is much better than some of the English-speaking members on here, so don't worry. :wink:

by **pun1sher** » 16 Jun 2005 21:33

go to the "lockicking 101" section of this site, then to "video in 2 locations"

by **helix** » 17 Jun 2005 0:14

Armitage, I agree that you have remarkably better english
than a lot of posts that I have read (and quite likely, ignored).

Using the search button, if you type in 'making picks' or
'how to make pics' you should come up with this same question that
many others before have asked.

One quick search gave me this:

http://www.gregmiller.net/locks/makelockpicks.html

I hope it helps.

I also agree that if you can get hold of a basic bought set of picks
it would benefit you in making some.

I can't seem to get hold of any commercial picks in Australia, but I
haven't looked that hard, either. (not a locksmith).

Mine are homemade out of hacksaw blades, feeler guages, or wool bale
hooks. Remember to quench in water for every 3 seconds of grinding.
(I know that you don't have a grinder). Go to a second hand shop and get one.

Have fun, dude.

by **Chrispy** » 17 Jun 2005 5:01

Commercially made lockpicks are illegal in Aus and suppliers will only sell to people with current trade certificates or trade registrations. Customs also confiscates any lockpicks that they come across coming through international post or freight. Hence the reason that I have also resorted to making my own. Easier than dealing with the evil customs monster.... :evil:

by **helix** » 17 Jun 2005 5:54

Tried smuggling them in?

I think that Aus customs are more worried about lockpicks and fruit.
I say try and fool the sniffer dogs.
Maybe disguise them as a bag of cocaine or something.

haha.

by **Chrispy** » 17 Jun 2005 6:15

Yeah, or some eccies.....

by **Python** » 18 Jun 2005 9:19

Chrispy wrote:Commercially made lockpicks are illegal in Aus ...Customs also confiscates any lockpicks that they come across coming through international post or freight. Hence the reason that I have also resorted to making my own.

When I first joined the forum I searched extensively on just that, cause I want to order some in. I haven't done so yet, so I can't speak from my own experience.

However, it seems that everyone else from Aus has had no troubles getting tools through customs. Packages were even open and inspected. Customs will take instructional books tho'.

by **helix** » 18 Jun 2005 10:27

What, in case of termites? hahahaha.

by **Python** » 18 Jun 2005 10:40

Because customs will take anything and everything that they can find the slightest legal basis to do so. If other people have been able to import them, anyone can.

by **Chrispy** » 18 Jun 2005 22:47

It's pretty much hit and miss. People can send generic packages through the post and have the possibility the customs won't search it, hence it gets through. Other times, packages will have "SOUTHORD" or "LOCKPICKTOOLS.COM" printed on the side of the box or on the deleivery label and customs will confiscate it and wait for the deliveree to ask why it didn't get through. "Err... it's been held up for processing, we'll let you know if we can allow it in the country."........ 6 months later no word.

My friend runs a internet knife site that has to import all its knives from the likes of USA, Europe, etc. and 40% of his imports get confiscated, leaving him with the cost. After sorting out a certficate that allows certain imports to be allowed through as he is a business and not an individual, he still loses 20% of his imports. Mostly SOGAT knives. Perhaps it's not the fact that it's illegal, it's that the customs officials want it for themselves.....

Here's some pics of the various things Aus Customs has taken over the past 12 months, mostly weapons and drugs....

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4556

Should i buy picks or make my own first-time picks?

Should i buy picks or make my own first-time picks?

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