How do u make picks by using a file?

[Omega_man]

So far all the picks i've used were either safety pins or paperclips.. although they work quite well but they just bend too easily... i've thought of buying a et of hacksaw blades and an allen key ( if thats what u call those 'L' shaped wrenches). but my only problem is that i can't afford a grinder so all i have to work with is just a file from a nail cutter...( is this fine enough or do i need the file for wood although its not fine but it sure looks big ).

anyway, can u use a nail cutter file for making picks, if u can then how do you use it?

Thanks in advance

[skold]

Ummm no.

A nail file will not suffice as a pick making file.

[horsefeathers]

i dont know if you are in UK but if you are then get a cheap bench grinder - I got mine from Screwfix at £12.99 (hardly a fortune) and it has proved so handy. I have produced loads of picks from it, utilising hacksaw blades, wiper inserts, junior hacksaw blades, feeler gauges etc.

Some people use a dremmel instead (miniture rotary tool with loads of wheels/cutters/grinders etc).

Either way, if you a serious then you have to spend a small amount to reap the rewards. Even a decent set of small files isnt cheap!

regards

[devildog]

Oh it's certainly possible with just a file--just ask Raimundo (ALL of his wonderful tools that you see, including the infamous Bogotas, are made by hand with files).

Nothing wrong with doing it that way, just be prepared to put a lot more time and effort into it; although, in the end, the quality will certainly be better than if you had done it with anything else. A good compromise would be to get a rough shape with power tools and then finish it off with files and sandpaper.

[skold]

anyway, can u use a nail cutter file for making picks, if u can then how do you use it?

[Shrub]

You can work hacksaw blades with a file and with a nail file but things become a lot more involved.

If working with files the blades will have to be annealed by heating to a bright red then letting cool in air, this will make the blades soft.

You then file away.

You then heat the blade up to red again and then dunk it into water.

Clean the blade to a shiney surface with emry cloth then heat gently until a straw colour then dunk it in water again.

Finish the pick off by emrying it down well.

Another way is to wrap somthing like a file or block of wood etc in emry cloth and gently emry away the form of the pick but its a long task and youll use a lot of emry cloth.

A nail file can be used but will not last at all and maybe even only last a few strokes, certainly on a unsoftened blade you will destroy it in one stroke, give it back to your sister and go to the dollar store or pond shop, you willget a set of 5 cheap files that will be better.

That said i reckon the nail file itself may make a pick if made righ

[bembel]

Get a vice.
Buy some steel files like suggested. No crappy nail files and certainly no wood files - those are made for wood!
A big one (half-round) for the rough work and a set of key files for the tips should do it.

If you want avoid heat treatment, use some less hardened steel (like feeler gauges, for example)

[Omega_man]

Thanks for the help, i just found some good files lying around, i'll try to get to heat it over some camp burners or maybe a stove, propane gas bruners are very hard to come by in this part of the world.