I just made these

[DemoBreacher]

Are these any good for my first go round? I will get better I just wanted to see what I could do without templates. Not to good huh...lol

I put it on here so you guys could tell me how bad they are, and that i nedd to get a template...lol

[dosman]

Looks good, but I think you should tell us how well they work rather than asking .

[UWSDWF]

look a little big in thickness and a little short in length to me... tell us how they worked for you!

[VashTSPD]

those look somewhat like my first tries. I assume you broke the blades in thirds? try halves once you get it down, no need using up more hacksaw blades when you're not experienced yet. I had to take my first picks back to the grinder multiple times because they weren't skinny enough. those look like they could use the same treatment. did you possibly break those in fourths? I didn't use any templates for mine, and still haven't. although, some come very close to templates. I would recommend making a loopy, Falle style pick using only the grinder, it works well. And make the necks longer if you can't get the picks in to reach the back pin(s).

[DemoBreacher]

Fourths-Didnt want to waste to much---Falle? I will try longer shafts this go round lol.... Thanks

[mrdan]

Looks a bit thick, But do they work alright?

Might find it hard with restricted keyways.

Looks good though especialy for a first try. What did you use to shape them?

[Gordon Airporte]

You can always sandwich other material on to make the handles longer. You'll make picking more difficult than it should be if the only contact you have with the pick is your finger tips.
Keep working on the short hook until you can confidently use it to count the pins in a lock by feel.

[DemoBreacher]

Ok i used a Grinder for the shaping. I went to use them and they bent like crazy not very sturdy.....any sugestions?

[SFGOON]

You're nowhere near done. Keep refining them.

[digital_blue]

A hacksaw blade should snap, not bend.

If yours are bending, there's only one reason. You over-heated them while grinding. You need to quench continually, and never let the metal change color.

db

[Romstar]

As requested, one (1) template. Print at 5" x 6" and the picks should measure 4.75 or 4 3/4 inch long.

This gets you two (2) picks per blade, not the typical three and in my opinion, the width of the handle (which is standard) allows you to completely grind away those teeth from the blade.

Enjoy,
Romstar

[Romstar]

Ok i used a Grinder for the shaping. I went to use them and they bent like crazy not very sturdy.....any sugestions?

Hacksaw blade picks bend for only two reasons.

1. The original blade was a bi-metal or some other material.

2. You over heated the picks while you were grinding.

Check your blades. If they are plain carbon steel or high speed steel (HSS) then you have decent blades. That means you need to work on the grinding.

Develop a rhythm where you are on the wheel for two to three seconds. Ocassionally longer if you are edge grinding, such as flattening the handle where you took off the teeth.

You should grind for two to three seconds, and then dip and swirl. Grind, dip and swirl. No, this isn't a dance maneouver. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes second nature and you don't even think of it any more.

Have fun, thats the most important part.
Romstar

[raimundo]

look at your keys, then remember that what you are trying to make is smaller and should be very mobile in the keyspace that is fully occupied by the key. a good pick would be about a third or a quarter of the heigth of the key, and thin, as well. your picks will probably work on some locks that do not have restrictive warding, and congradulations for making them, but remember to keep making picks and developing them as you do it to refine your designs, however the short falle type pick is an interesting new take on that pick and deserves development. I may try one of those.