first cracked deadbolt

[phin3s]

monkee has helped me a lot in my quest to find something to do.... i really like lock picking althogh i have been doing it for only 4 hours..... i have cracked my first deadlock!!!! yey for me!! but i noticed after i did it about 7 times that my tool broke..... i guess the hacksaw blade was too weak or was too flexible, i noticed when i was breaking it into pieces that it was extremely easy to break...... someone help me find out whats worng cause i was havin so much fun..... thanks a lot monkee!!!

[Mad Mick]

Probably using too much tension, which results in having to apply excessive pressure on the pick to actually set the pins.

Congrats on the pick anyway....

Material choice for your picks is a consideration, as it the construction method - prolonged grinding without quenching can harden the material so as to make it brittle. A high carbon content material can also be brittle. Pick profile is another factor - make the shank of the pick too thin and you introduce a weak spot. Try to make a gradual reduction in the shank from handle to tip. A drastic reduction leaves a thin section towards the tip, resulting in springiness. Some materials will 'work-harden' when used and probably fail after a number of uses, if not properly tapered.

Some things to bear in mind when making picks.......

[mcm757207]

If your really into making your own picks, it might be worth buying some spring steel from a supplier rather than sticking to hacksaw blades. Even so- I havn't had any problems with my hacksaw blade picks (except one I grinded a bit too thin at one point), so maybe your using them a bit too hard? It doesn't take much force to lift the pins. Maybe your catching on the wards? What type of pick did you make out of the hacksaw blades?

[mcm757207]

lol when I was typing my post mick posted his sorry for some of the double-information... lol

[Mad Mick]

Guess it enforces some of the suggestions.......

[phin3s]

i made different arked and angled single picks, i never did tamper them, one reason being i didnt buy a propane torch.... i have one somewhere, just gotta look for it, i will do that tomorow
i may go for the spring steel...... tkz for the suggestions

[WhiteHat]

I've never made picks myself but pyro does mention that you shouldn't use your propane torch on the picks ever. it will make them brittle. I would also imagine that if they get too hot while grinding the same would happen.

wh.

[phin3s]

i do what he says, i dont even keep mine on the grinder longer than he does..... i did notice that when i was breaking them into sections, it was extremely easy to break..... i think thats a contributing factor....

[Mad Mick]

Appears you got yourself some crap blades there matey!! Try choosing some with a little more flexibility....