making a half diamond out of a mini hacksaw blade

[adam14]

would a mini hacksaw (cut in half) be any good for making a half diamond and a tension wrench (as i have no proper picks yet) i have heated it up to cherry red and let it cool down so its softer but just wondering what dimensions should they be and if you think there is a tool as easy as a half diamond to make but better for a beginner.


p.s all i have is a file and a sander

[digital_blue]

If you're going to use the junior hacksaw blades, you needn't cut them in half. Just work with it as is, and shape it. Once you've shaped it, you'll need to harden the metal again.

Stick around here for, oh, say, 21 more posts and you'll be able to request an account at locksportarchives.com, where you will find a whole load of templates for pick tools.

Good luck, welcome to the site, and happy picking!

db

[adam14]

thanks unfortuantly i have all ready cut it in half but i have handles to attach the pick to

[adam14]

changed my mind this is what i am going to make but how lond should the tip be



http://www.lockpickshop.com/p-SP-07.html

[illusion]

Looking at the picture it is pretty much the right size.

[digital_blue]

If you were to take that very picture, resize it in a photo editing program to a length of about 5", you would have a perfectly suitable template with which to make your pick.

Good luck!

db

P.S. Display size will vary from monitor to monitor, so make sure that it prints out at 5".

[mouse]

squeak! squeak! >> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=112294#112294

squeak! squeak! squeak! >> http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?p=128358#128358

squeak!

[Olcaytug]

hey friend, never use hacksaw blades if all you have are files!
just buy some wiper blades having steel inserts for about 4-15 USD. (You will have four 13 inch blades)

Just bend them slightly along their witdh at the tip of 2 inch pieces,
print some templates on transparent sheets,
file the unwanted parts comparing to templates

You will make a set in the same time you will ruin your first hacksaw blade trying to make one pick!
try bogata pick as well! But be sure to make the rising angles of the teeth as small as possible, use wider chainsaw files to cut them! I experimented many angles, and steep teeth angles suck!


by the way, I wouldn't recommend a diamond to a beginner, they are for inserting into extremely restricted keyways
try hooks, because when you aproach the pins at an angle in vertical direction (which you will always do), the extra piece at the end of the diamond will interfere with other pins; beheaving as if the tip is wider, as if your pick is less slim! You need to use diamonds in a straight line!!!

--> wider the tip, easier to fell the pins, more difficult to set them.
--> deeper the tip, more difficult to pick quality locks (I haven't seen any euro-profile that cannot be raked with the shorthest hook by pulling back method so far, as long as you build the pick extra slim. you need deep curves in really extra cases)

[adam14]

thanks very much i will try that and make a hook instead.

but dont the steel inserts bend are are they strong but easy to file

[Olcaytug]

yes
they are spring steel, the best material
soft to shape, springy, but strong against deformations

but they differ in carbon content too much.. it meens you will have to try different brands. But usually expensive ones (champion, etc) are easier to bend and deform. But even these low carbon steels will last long if you use them carefully.

but really very easy to make. All you need to start is one wiper blade, one triange/square/or flat file and one 0.7mm(1/4-5/16 inch) round file. Even you do not need to bend the wiper for shortest hook that I would advise you to start with. Cut the interior using the round file only, it will give you a true angle. and shape the outer tip of the pick in an accordingly using other files.

read this post of pyro to have an idea how to bend wiper blades along their witdhs:

http://www.lockpicking101.com/viewtopic.php?t=2465

and search for jpeg documents on bogata picks to have an idea how to cut using files


by the way, street sweeper bristles are superior to wiper blades or any other material, and they are for free. Use them if you can find them.

[ju_]

If you're going to use the junior hacksaw blades, you needn't cut them in half. Just work with it as is, and shape it. Once you've shaped it, you'll need to harden the metal again.

Stick around here for, oh, say, 21 more posts and you'll be able to request an account at locksportarchives.com, where you will find a whole load of templates for pick tools.

Good luck, welcome to the site, and happy picking!

db

Junior Hacksaw blade picks and wiper blade tension wrenches ....



Made using hand held angle grinder and file.

Pick Cost : Around 10-15 mins of time and £1 for a pack of 10 junior hacksaw blades

Pick Effectiveness : Top pick in the picture will open a yale X5 (6pin 4 security), ERA (5 pin), Range Abus Padlocks, Squire Padlock No35 (using 3rd pick down) and your standard poor quality Eastern padlock.

Wrench Cost : less than 1 min of time and £0.00 (had some old windscreen wipers)

Wrench Effectiveness : Used picking the above locks

You can make very good picks with a file, junior hacksaw blades and a bit more time. Using the angle grinder just cuts down the amount of time filing.

Plus you can say "I made that pick which opened that lock"