Starting out

[psytrox]

Hi guys,

Just starting out, got a few questions. I have the Pyro templates, got them all cut out and ready to glue to the stock. First off, what stock should I use? Flat steel plumbing snake? and are there different sizes? Wheres the cheapest to buy it? Also, when i printed the templates, i measured the ruler and it was a little short(less than 1/16). Does this matter terribly much? If so, could i trace around the templates with a felt tip pen and cut around the outside to make them the proper size? Or what do you all suggest? Lastly, what tools/machines are used to create the tools with such precise cuts? Metal band saw and sander? Please include specifics answers for all of my questions if possible(certain stores, sizes of tools used to fabricate, etc...) Thank you all VERY much! Hope to hear back soon!

Hans

[Eyes_Only]

I dont know much about the material to make picks out of but as for the size of the templates, if its 1/16 smaller all around, then i doubt it'll pose a problem. It might even serve sort of as a "slim line" pick making it easier to pick more variety of locks. If you have the cash and space a bench grinder is recomended but if you're short on both, a Dremel tool will do just fine (at least for me it does). Just make sure you get the corded kind and not the battery powered one cos after a few mins of intense use the power runs out pretty quick. I hope this helps.

[psytrox]

Well, see, I work in a fabrication shop at my university and I was planning on using some of my own time in there to create the picks. I dont know for sure if they have a dremmel, but I can check. Are there any machines that are used for forming picks? THe machines i know they have for forming metal are the grinder, sander and a bandsaw. Any other suggestions that will work well? Thanks!

[Chucklz]

grinder and sander are pretty much all I've ever needed.

[CaptHook]

Yep. I like rotary tools, like die grinders and dremels etc. Once you get control of the tool, you can do some fine detail work with them.
Chuck

[psytrox]

Hey again guys. Ok, so mostly what is recommended is using a dremel to create picks. What I think i will use is prolly flat steel plumbing snake. That is the material i get the impression is the best. Anyone else have other suggestions? Also, what SPECIFIC dremel tools work the best? I was looking around on dremel's site and ace hardware and such and they seem to have many different ones. I guess i'm prolly looking for one that has dual purposes like the grinder and sander in one or something. I'm really just new to this, so any help is GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks guys.

Hans

[Romstar]

Fibreglass reinforced cutting wheels.

The normal cut-off wheels are very brittle. The catch on anything, and they break.

Also, any small grinding stone, but especially things meant for hard metals.

Personally, I use a grinder for almost everything, and only use the Dremel for touchup.

It's just to easy for that thing to slip when you are holding both the work, and the tool. Also, given the size of the pick, it's really hard to clamp it so it doesn't vibrate and catch the cutting wheel.

I do know a lot of people who are using the Dremel exclusively, and getting excellent results, so your milage may vary.

My recomendation is a dual five or six inch grinding wheel. The four inch is just a bit too small for my tastes. Mount a course and fine, or medium wheel in the grinder. Or, if your grinder supports it, a depressed center ultra thin cut off wheel. My grinder is a 5/8 shaft, and supports these wheels.

My other tool of choice is the belt sander. Both the five inch belt, and the 3/4" grinder belt. If you have the type that has the grinder belt, and the wheel, you are just as good off. Use the small belt to grind any grooves you may need such as a rake, and then use the sanding wheel or wide belt to straighten out the edges of the handle.

I often use these two tools together.

Also, on my bench is a quick change wire wheel that I also use for polishing. I can mount a standard wire type brush, a soft type abrasive brush, or a cotton polishing wheel. Make sure you have a few different grits of polishing compound if you can do this. <G>

Some shops may have access to a tumbler, or tumbling polisher. Basically a drum that you put abrasive and parts in, and let run for several hours. This can result in a mirror shine a very low cost and effort.

After talking about all these power tools, I can't stress enough the importance of having a selecting of small hand files. Both in flat and round. My flat files are face cut only, and the round are significantly smaller than anything used to sharpen a chainsaw. If you don't have a set of jewlers files, I highly recomend them.

Also, I can't stress enough the importance of polishing your picks. This can range from using a knife sharpening stone, to wet/dry sand paper up to 1000 grit. This will most likely be aluminum oxide paper. If you are using a sharpening stone to deburr your picks, it would be useful to have a ceramic type double face stone, and another type of stone known as a gouging stone.

All of this work isn't easy, but the results are outstanding. Unfortunately, it is also the reason why my handmade picks tend to be expensive.

As a matter of fact, I have just recently completed a few replacement sets for some customers because I wasn't happy with what went out the first time. As you might be able to tell, I'm a stickler sometimes.

Good luck with your picks, and I for one hope to see the fruits of your labours.

Romstar

[psytrox]

Hmm, well, I appreciate the reply, but I am not familiar with all the terms yet and what all the tools are. Could you explain exactly what each is used for and what the technical terms refer to? Or point me to some reading material so I can learn on my own? That would be great! Thanks!

Hans

[Hak]

im not sure if it'll help ya out a lot, but heres a link to some terminology..

viewtopic.php?t=1069

[S3rratedSp00L]

It's great to see people taking pride in their work!

I hand polish while I am watching TV! A good cloth and some polishing compound works wonders... after sanding, and grinding, and everything else... of course!

Make your tools just the way you like! You will be happy you did! Don't forget to experiment! Believe me! Sometimes you don't know what you like till you stumble upon it!

Today I decided to make some tiny twist-flex tension tools from the scraps of bobby pin left over from my incomplete tubular pick. (Hope that it works when I get it done...) Started out as kind of a joke, but I tried it in the top of the keyway on an american series 5200, and it works excellent for me! I pick it faster with this tension tool! I do need a screwdriver or bigger wrench to actually turn the cylinder, but nonetheless this works for me!
So I made 12 of these darn things and stuck them in my kit. They seem to work well for the practice locks that I have! I sanded them down and they look nice as well! Go figure! I did it as a joke.. Now I am gonna keep these in my set! The metal that these bobby pins are made from is better than I originally thought! I cold bent and cold twisted with no problem.. I would recommend making a few of these for a small emergency kit. They are small, concealable, light, and they work. Make some picks with thin handles to match and you have a nice emergency set that can be tucked away in small places. I'll leave other ideas like sewing them into clothing and storing them in flashlights or shoes up to you.

I am gonna polish these up tommorrow. Can't even tell they were made from bobby pins... Shiny!