My First Pair of Bogotas

by **J.D.** » 28 Sep 2006 2:20

Here are some pictures of my first pair of Bogotas.

Material: Trico 17-3 wiper blade insert. .100" x .31"

I wanted valleys about as deep as Raimundo's. My stock is .100". The street sweeper blades he uses are wider, approximately .125". To get a similar depth and profile with thinner stock something had to be altered. That's why the bottom of the pick is flat. I moved the profile down. If the stock had been thicker there would have been room for a nicer curve down there.

Tools: I made these using a small, expendable bench vise (you will file into your vise, so don't use one you treasure), a 7/32" round file, a triangle file, a cheap set of needle files purchased at Harbor Freight for $4, and some sand paper. And about 3 hours of my time.

These are the second and third picks I've ever made.

by **Romstar** » 28 Sep 2006 2:54

I have to say, these are very, very nice. Good Job!

Keep up that quality of work.

Romstar

by **scampdog** » 28 Sep 2006 3:45

I must agree with Romstar,those picks are first class, you've obviously got a good eye for detail, keep up the good work.

by **J.D.** » 28 Sep 2006 5:40

Thanks guys.

I would have polished more but all I had was 220 grit paper. I used the worn down parts near the end, so final sanding was probably more like 400 or so. Who knows.

In my post above I said street sweeper blades are .125". I meant .115".

by **kodierer** » 28 Sep 2006 11:27

I'm not good at making stuff like this. Do you think buying a set off varjeal.com is worth it? I hear the bagota's can significantly increase your picking ability after you get used to them.

by **Romstar** » 28 Sep 2006 11:37

kodierer wrote:I'm not good at making stuff like this. Do you think buying a set off varjeal.com is worth it? I hear the bagota's can significantly increase your picking ability after you get used to them.

I have a few sets that came direct from Ray, and I can tell you in no uncertain terms that they are a very valuable addition to my pickset. Not to mention that the quality is so good, you just want to set there and admire the things.

Get them, and you won't be disappointed.

Romstar

by **jimb** » 28 Sep 2006 15:22

kodierer wrote:I'm not good at making stuff like this. Do you think buying a set off varjeal.com is worth it? I hear the bagota's can significantly increase your picking ability after you get used to them.

I was sent out on a lockout a couple of months ago that another tech had failed on, it was a 6 pin lock. I spent 20 or 30 minutes on the lock, I tried raking, single pin picking and the electic pick and was about to give up. I reached down and grabbed the only bogota I had, a home made pick, I stuck it in the lock and jiggled it around a little and the lock opened.

I've since broke it after getting it in a bind with the tension wrench but I hope to someday make another one.

by **kodierer** » 28 Sep 2006 20:42

jimb wrote:
I've since broke it after getting it in a bind with the tension wrench but I hope to someday make another one.

Never broke a pick that way, but I've came close. I feel the best thing to do if you run into that situation is to just rip the tension wrench straight out, while holding your pick still. I'd rather break a tension wrench than a pick, but I've been lucky enough that all I've broke have been rakes when I was first learning.

Sounds like a good idea to get them bogotas. Maybe I'll buy a pair after pay day.

by **dmux** » 28 Sep 2006 21:11

very good craftmanship, i should get out the old dremmel

what material is the best for making bogotas??

by **kodierer** » 28 Sep 2006 21:27

viewtopic.php?t=8205
making bogotas.

by **digital_blue** » 29 Sep 2006 0:58

Wow! Those are fantastic! Your level of sanding is excellent!

When I look at the Bogota pick (not the rake), I'd have a tough time telling that it wasn't actually crafted by Ray's own hand, and I've got a lot of Ray's picks to compare to. Other than the fact that it's a different material, it's not even noticeable to me.

Nice job! Very, very nice job!

db

by **cL4y** » 29 Sep 2006 8:08

I think,nay,i say,these are the best picks i have ever seen in my time on this site,GREAT GREAT job mate,i wanna see a full set :wink:

by **raimundo** » 29 Sep 2006 9:26

Those are well done, don't worry a bit about some difference in material stock, I suspect that you will have already used them and found them usefull. wearing sandpaper down to a finer grit is what always happens and it works well,
I just want to say that anyone can do a good job making bogotas, don't believe the people who say its very hard, while a first set may take a long time, after you have made some, you understand the process and can repeat it easily in a much shorter time. you will always be able to make up a set when you have need for one if the tools and material are available.

by **pinsetter** » 29 Sep 2006 9:51

I'm also going to have to add that you did a wonderful job on those picks. I myself am very detail oriented and I would have been very happy with the results you achieved. Great work! I'm sure any pick you make will be top notch with that attention to detail.

by **dmux** » 29 Sep 2006 13:49

viewtopic.php?t=8205

*bookmark'd

My First Pair of Bogotas

My First Pair of Bogotas

bogota's

well done

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