Ideas while waiting for my picks...

[chrometsuba]

I'm waiting for a set of picks from peterson, so in the mean time im playing with a set of Raimundo's bogota picks, but they aren't presenting much of a challenge on the locks I have.

Anyways, I have two pieces of shim stock I picked up to play around with.

What style picks work well for beginers generaly? I'm more interested in learning the feel of the lock to understand whats happening while im picking then actualy opening it, so I am leaning towards hooks of different types.

The stock is 12" long, and about 3/4" wide, and one is 0.20mm thick, and the other 0.23mm thick, so there should be enough for a few trys at something.

What sugestions have you guys got for me?

[quickpicks]

The 3 best picks are hook, half diamond and half round. I like the mustache picks because they work well on sfic locks when all you want to do is rake tem open.

[TOWCH]

Mustache?

[helix]

Moustache= maybe a

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[Chrispy]

A mailbox pick?

[quickpicks]

I prefer to call it the mustache
Its the one beside the snap gun.

[Gordon Airporte]

This is my cue to turn up and suggest you make a deep curve - specifically from a Falle #2 template. This is not a shape that comes in most kits but I find that it rivals the standard short hook for utility - plus you can rock it to get very good control over security pins.
Zeke79's site has the templates: http://www.locksportarchives.com/
I'm not sure who he wants handing out the password so I'll just say that it's publically available and easy to find with a search here.

[Auto45]

I prefer to call it the mustache
Its the one beside the snap gun.

Looks like a modified Ripple pick, good job

[chrometsuba]

I had thought about making a few of the Falle-Safe picks, I have the templates from Zeke's website already, just need to turn the photos into templates i can use.

When you say the 2 curve, do you mean the curve from the #2 end (ie: pick labeled 1/2) or the second pick in the set? (labeled 3/4)

[digital_blue]

I think he means the Deep Curve pick (looks like a steady arc) labeled #2. In my own opinion, though the Deep Curves have their time and place, I find myself using the Progressive Curves myself.

db
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[Chrispy]

Its the one beside the snap gun.

A sawtooth rake.

[skold]

Or a "L" rake. L meaning "Long Rake"

[quickpicks]

well it works very well.

[chrometsuba]

Ok, two quick questions for anyone who has the reall falle-safe picks..

What is the thickness of the 5/6 graduated curve just before the curve starts? It's difficult to tell from the pictures I have due to the shadows. Same question for the 1/2 deep curve pick.

I have started grinding up a graduated curve pick based on the templates on Zeke's website. I have a graduated curve 5/6 started, and if it goes well, I will try one of the deep curve picks.

[Gordon Airporte]

I think he means the Deep Curve pick (looks like a steady arc) labeled #2.

Yeah - that's it.

I find myself using the Progressive Curves myself.

These seem like they would work pretty much like the usual hooks that come in a set. The rounded tip might make them better for scrubbing or waffer locks though. I can't really say. Which do you find getting used the most? I'll have to make a couple... and now that I look at the templates, the first two groups (of three picks) there look awfully similar. Which are the progressives?