DIY 2-in-1 pick

[Lukekjackson]

I've just made a curtain pick and have managed to pick my first BS ERA lever lock, I have to admit I cheated a bit and had a look in the lock first, but its spurred me on now.

Their are a load of 3 lever locks in the doors around the house and i want to have a go at making a 2-in-1 pick but i can't find any suitable materials.

Does anyone know where i could buy suitable tube for making a 2 in 1 pick, my preference would be

4.5 & 5.5mm o.d. with a reasonably thick wall
Steel or maybe brass
Available in small quantities

And if its not asking too much somewhere that will supply the rod to match the id of the tube

I know its a lot to ask and I have looked and I just can't find anything suitable that can be bought in small quantities.

[toomush2drink]

It depends where in the world you are but if you are in the uk go to a b&q warehouse for this tubing.

Ps fill in your profile so we can help you.

[Lukekjackson]

I'm in Leeds.

Their is quite a large B&Q down the road from me but all they seemed to have was plumbing gear, 12mm copper was the smallest I could find.

[Shrub]

Every B+Q ive been in has the same stand, look for the nut and bolt section and usually at the end of that is a rack of brass, steel and alloy tube of various sections and you may find some solid bar as well.

Your local model shop otherwise.

[Shrub]

In fact Leeds has a massive double model shop just outside the centre if i remember rightly (been a few years since i was there mind you), but they definately had loads of the stuff in.

[zeke79]

This is not my idea originally but may work here. A retractable antennae(sp) after some lapping could provide 2 well fitting pieces of suitable strengths I would assume although I do not pick lever locks so I am unfamiliar with the amount of tension required. Just a though.

[Shrub]

You would have to look hard for a steel one if wanting to bend the metal out to use as a lifter and tensioner but if soldering bits on they will add strength so you should get away with it if not heavy handed.

I keep loking at shopping trollys that have been dumped around citys, and often wonder are they tube or solid but im a better person than to go cutting them up, they arent mine afterall and i beleive quite expensive.

[Keyring]

Just a thought here. I made a couple of these from brass tube. The first one I used solder on. As soon as I put torque on, the soldered part bent straight off. I tried brazing next, but I guess I overheated it and distorted the tube. It also got very soft. My next plan is to consider steel and welding, but I don't know enough yet to try it.

Any tips along these lines would be welcome!

[Shrub]

Read my silver soldering guide on this very site, when i say solder i mean silver solder, lead solder is for water pipes and no use for pick making.

[Lukekjackson]

Shrub,
I'll go have a better look in B&Q this weekend, and although i will be glad if i can find what I need I’ll have wasted a lot of time on the internet looking everywhere else but the obvious place.

I've had a look for you Silver soldering guide but i can't find it I have however read peaky's and I’m planning to go for the silver soldering route.

Keyring,
I thought that it may be the case that brass might become too soft after being heated for silver soldering / brazing, which is why if possible i was going to use steel tube. Although you say you are going to weld steel tube it's my understanding that silver soldering works fine on steel and even stainless with a different flux and a bit more skill. I'm sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.

What gas did you use for the brazing, and do you know if propane / butane mix will be hot enough for steel tube, or should i get a MAPP torch.

[Keyring]

I just used a butane torch, basic plumbing thing. Solder rod from B&Q. I only tried once so far, and it made me feel like a failure. I guess I'll try some steel tubes and silver soldering next. When I have some time.

Some of the things in the Soldering article hit home though. I did it on the patio and the slabs were literally exploding in all directions. Firebricks then!

Shrub: I had the same question at the back of my mind relating to the article that peaky posted. Is that the article you meant?

[Shrub]

Yes thats the article i meant, managed to keep it quiet until now, new ild slip up one day in public No big issue there, and no big secret

Brass is the best soldering medium and if you quench afterwards it certainly wont be too soft