Bristle advice??

[Spossum]

Wow! That's all I can say. When I started this thread as a complete newbie I never expected so much help. Thanks again Raimundo and LP101 members.

[Kaotik]

Your very welcome. That's what we are here for, to help.

When you get some more goodies made, post them. We love seeing new picks around here.

[Spossum]

Here I go again. So far so good, I think.

[Krypos]

raimundo. i have both your tutorial pages (i think they are jpegs) on making bogotas, and this thread alone has overshadowed those by like 20 fold.

what the deuce?!

im glad its here, but maybe now you can make it all one? and sticky it?

oh, and one last thing.....dam fine work man.

[Spossum]

I have obtained some of Raimundo's picks. Here is nice close up of them. They are so pretty I haven't even used them yet. Thanks again, Raimundo.

[Spossum]

He does good work!!

[J.D.]

Spossum, thanks for the ruler pics. I made my first pick yesterday, a Bogota, and had a hard time determining dimensions from the instructions and posts I had read here. Your pictures clear everything up. My pick turned out ok, though the working part is too long and the middle section too short. I'll make more.

My wiper inserts (from Trico 17-3 wipers) are only about .099" wide. With stock this narrow the peaks aren't as tall as Raimundo's. Being a complete newbie I don't know if that poses much of a disadvantage apart from the handles being a bit too narrow for a decent tension wrench.

My pick works, at least on easy locks. I opened all the Kwiksets on my doors (not too many times - I don't want to mess them up). I've also opened a cheap Dorcy/Masterlock padlock probably a hundred times already.

[rohi]

What's with that Raimundo guy??
When he starts explaining, there's no stopping him.

Thanks mate, it's like your standing next to me, and telling me what to do.
Never been explained so clearly how to do something, and i think a lot of readers feel the same.

Keep it up, as it will inspire a lot of starters to go on untill they get it right.

Ronald

[Spossum]

I got a Grobet #6 Swiss needle file from a place called "J.S. Ritter Supply" I found through google. It was about $11 bucks, plus $4 shipping. I also ordered a #4. I found them necessary, for me anyway, to proceed any further. I have filed down my bristles further. I think I am very close to sanding only stage. Even though it has been days since I last posted, I probably only have about 1 1/2 hours invested in this so far, as I work a lot, and was waiting for the files to arrive. I have been reading other threads in the meantime, and the latest post by Digital Blue of a photo tutorial (by Raimundo) on another thread was EXTREMELY helpful. Thanks Raimundo.

This is a picture of Raimundo's picks above my own work in progress. I made my shaft and handle slightly longer. I welcome comments, constuctive criticism, helpful hints, even ridicule.

[UWSDWF]

looks good... sand baby sand

[Kaotik]

I agree with UWSDWF, they do need some sanding and perhaps some smoothing of the sharp edges so not to scratch the inside of the cylinder.

Good job. The more you do the better they get. and you will get more proficient at making them.

[Spossum]

I finally finished. I got a little carried away with my undercuts. My peaks aren't quite as pointy as Raimundo's. I am confident that I will only get better, and faster. Here is a picture, once again with mine under Raimundo's for comparison. His are prettier. Thanks again to everyone. I should have named this thread "Bogatas for Dummies".

[raimundo]

Montgomery Burns accent, "eks thelent"

[J.D.]

The picture is blurry, but in general looks pretty good for a first try. You mentioned the undercuts.

Ray seems to rough them in before finishing the top. My advice to those of us with less experience is to finish the top enough to know exactly where your peaks are before starting the undercuts.

Then center the undercuts under the peaks. Start them using the edge of a file. Start a groove, not very deep. Hold the pick up to the light and see if your groove is centered directly under the peak. If not, use a small round file to move it one way or the other until it is. Then carefully enlarge it.

[Spossum]

There is a glare, especially on the top of my picks. Maybe the angle they were laying on my scannner. It makes the tips look even more rounded than they are. If you look closely I think you can see them though. They are spaced just like his. I took the advice I read somewhere from Raimundo, that if you mess them up a little finish them anyway, they may work better on certain locks. Well, I haven't played much with the ones from Raimundo. I was afraid I may bend, break, or lose them, before I could copy them. I can say that the ones I made work great, it is actually amazing. Raimundo was nice enough to let me pick his brain, and now I am picking locks a whole lot faster. Thanks again.