best steel for the job??

[uncle trapspringer]

now, i've done the research and i know of dozens of different sources for homebrew picks, but i have stumbled upon a source to have my CAD files (almost complete by the way) for my picks cut either by a laser or water something... (not sure on the technical jargon) how it gets done and the ultimately the price depends on what type of steel is to be used... now i was told that spring steel was out... i was told stainless, so my questions to the OG's of LP101 is what type of stainless? what thickness is ideal? and if (and its a big if) i can get a really good deal, i'm thinking (if and only if its agreeable to the mod's) of putting a few sets on the "Lock Tools for Sale" pending the quality of the picks hell if i they're up to par i was really thinking about sending a single pick to DB and varj, for them to test the quality (and from reading past posts and threads, if anyone can put a pick through the wringer, its them.

oh, and i'm still waiting for a photo of the majestic or the initial superpick with ruler... just thought i'd remind the crowd...you know toss that out there...

trapspringer

[Octillion]

I'd go with spring steel. Most picks are about 0.0022" thick, but if that thickness is not available, 0.0020" should be.

[jimb]

I just checked my Southord picks and they vary from .020 - .021

[Keyring]

Mmm... think you meant 0.020" or 0.5 mm.

[Keyring]

All over the world...

People are measuring their picks!

[jimb]

now, i've done the research and i know of dozens of different sources for homebrew picks, but i have stumbled upon a source to have my CAD files (almost complete by the way) for my picks cut either by a laser or water something...

This got me wondering, how do companies like Southord mass-produce picks. Are they cut by machine, punched out, made by hand?

[Octillion]

Mmm... think you meant 0.020" or 0.5 mm.

Yep, too many zero's, sorry. 0.020" and 0.022".

[uncle trapspringer]

southord probably has paid for and owns a die for each pick and they stamp them out. i was told that using spring steel was out of the question (why i'm not sure) but if i can get 8-12 sets of F-S picks for less then $200-250 then i'm going to jump on that quick, besides i found alot of picks are made of stainless i'm very curious as to what grade to use. if there are any locksmiths (laughs out loud as i typed that part of the sentence) or machinists out there that can give me some feed back on the subject of grades of stainless to use. i've decided to go with thickness of .025" bescause thats what the original F-S are. i'm trying to get to drawing the torque tools in CAD before i get to production. well its late, good night

[Varjeal]

You will likely want .025 blued shim stock (flat) If you find some for a good price, let me know.

You definitely don't want any thicker than that, and .020 would be preferrable.

[Olcaytug]

Unfortunately, material science contributed to the types of steels more than we can keep the track of!

There are many kinds of even spring steel, each having different codes. After considering the variety of steel I used (all found from everyday objects from brooms to trowels) I can say that if you can find the right one, spring steel would beat all other kinds.. But usually, the best high-carbon spring steel rusts quickly.

On the other hand low-carbon spring steels are mild and stainless steel deform too easily while slicon carbide snaps... I even tried crom-steel, which is wonderful, but too stiff and expensive!

As you see, you have too many options!!! You have to try, but if you will sell them make them out of stainless steel.. all others will rust eventually and you will loose credit.

Hope this helps... Regards