When it comes down to it there is nothing better than manual tools for your Lock pick Set, whether they be retail, homebrew, macgyver style. DIY'ers look here.
by Schuyler » 28 Sep 2006 0:37
OK!
Just got this guy for 10 bucks. IT'S AWESOME! It's a little wonder, comes with a coarse and a fine wheel:
It's only 1/2 HP, but it does the job and I love it dearly. For 10 bucks, you can't really go wrong, yanno?
So, two pictures of the pick I made.
Ok, I made this out of a small scrap of hacksaw blade I had laying around (before I had key blanks and well before I had my lovely key machine, I used to hand file keys out of hack saw blades, so I had this little ~2" piece left over)
Ok, now, most importantly, the lock that I then picked open with it:
SO!
I'm now excited to go out, but a pile of blades, and make a whole set. (only this time I'll take longer than the ~10 minutes this one took me)
I'm so excited. I uncover a new wonderful aspect to this hobby every day!
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Schuyler
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by Romstar » 28 Sep 2006 1:59
Congratulations on your find.
1/2 HP is not too bad, considering what you got there. The funny part is if you need to buy new wheels, they will cost more than the entire grinder cost you.
At any rate, I can't wait to see what you come up with, and the first pick wasn't bad for 10 minutes and a piece of scrap.
Keep up the good work.
Romstar
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by Bud Wiser » 28 Sep 2006 2:00
That is awesome, is that new? It looks new. The cheapest new I've seen was for $29.95, 1/2 HP. It's all you need! I can't remember if I paid 29 or 39, but it's a Task Force, one of the cheapies but does the job.
You might want to get a cheap dremel too. Handy for finer tuning for rakes. Go to radio shack and ask for their 6 pc miniature file sit. About $5 and they all fit in a pen size case that doubles as a handle, though I never use it as a handle the files are great for super fine tuning.
Nice job on your first pick! I can make hooks and diamonds all on the grinder. But need the dremel for more elaborate picks.
I definitely get more enjoyment out of picking from home made tools.
Have fun!
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by Schuyler » 28 Sep 2006 9:54
Brand new, for 10 bucks! I was shocked. I love it. Thanks for the encouragement!
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by Romstar » 1 Oct 2006 19:30
Schuyler wrote:Brand new, for 10 bucks! I was shocked. I love it. Thanks for the encouragement!
Okay, so we encouraged you. Now where are the picks you made with your new toy?
Come on, I didn't expect this thread to just wimper and die you know.
Romstar
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by cL4y » 1 Oct 2006 22:22
im with Romstar,we wanna see some picks!
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by Schuyler » 1 Oct 2006 23:20
Heh, I'll put something up in just a bit. Just got home from a trip, and I still want to hand file and sand them, but I've got three picks made and I did up a tiny little tension tool to go with my tiny little pick
I've actually been more focused on pinning some practice locks for my mom and girlfriend. I promised my girlfriend that I'd make her a basic, decent set of picks. So, that's the game plan! 
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by Romstar » 2 Oct 2006 0:28
Schuyler wrote:Heh, I'll put something up in just a bit. Just got home from a trip, and I still want to hand file and sand them, but I've got three picks made and I did up a tiny little tension tool to go with my tiny little pick  I've actually been more focused on pinning some practice locks for my mom and girlfriend. I promised my girlfriend that I'd make her a basic, decent set of picks. So, that's the game plan! 
I can't wait for the picks!!!!
And your mom and your GF learning is really cool too. Make sure to give us progress reports.
Romstar
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by Romstar » 2 Oct 2006 0:30
Bud Wiser wrote:Schuyler wrote:I've actually been more focused on pinning some practice locks for my mom and girlfriend. I promised my girlfriend that I'd make her a basic, decent set of picks. So, that's the game plan! 
for the folks way out in the back woods, Schuyler is refering to two different people, not the same person 
Bud, that was just plain nasty.
Although, if rednecks get a divorce, are they still cousins?
Romstar
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by cL4y » 2 Oct 2006 0:33
Romstar wrote:Bud Wiser wrote:Schuyler wrote:I've actually been more focused on pinning some practice locks for my mom and girlfriend. I promised my girlfriend that I'd make her a basic, decent set of picks. So, that's the game plan! 
for the folks way out in the back woods, Schuyler is refering to two different people, not the same person 
Bud, that was just plain nasty. Although, if rednecks get a divorce, are they still cousins? Romstar
that has to go in the jokes sticky.........
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by Bud Wiser » 2 Oct 2006 0:45
Romstar wrote:Bud Wiser wrote:Schuyler wrote:I've actually been more focused on pinning some practice locks for my mom and girlfriend. I promised my girlfriend that I'd make her a basic, decent set of picks. So, that's the game plan! 
for the folks way out in the back woods, Schuyler is refering to two different people, not the same person 
Bud, that was just plain nasty. Although, if rednecks get a divorce, are they still cousins? Romstar
I guess it was, that's what happens when Bud does scotch and beer
I'll let ya know about the cousins ifin I ever get me a divorce 
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by 5thcorps » 2 Oct 2006 14:10
What brand of saw blades do you guys make your picks out of?
"Save the whales, Trade them in for valuable prizes."
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by iNtago » 2 Oct 2006 14:24
i use Cummins safety blades
bought a 100-pack on sale for $10
thats alot of picks...and 1 or 2 to use to cut 
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by Schuyler » 3 Oct 2006 13:25
O-K!
So, as I said previously, these are neither hand filed or sanded, yet. My goal is to bang out a few more forms on the ol' grinder and finish them all during our upcoming TOOOL Boston meeting.
The original pick
The adorable tapered tension wrench I made to go with it. This guy is sturdy and I enjoy using him.
Hook with a dimple in the tip. This is too wide, presently, but I want to be more exacting with the real picks, so I plan to hand file/sand from here.
My half diamond and short hook in progress.
I use Brasillian steel, baby! What-up Wrenchman!
This is the brand my local hardware store sell, I've played with one other type of blade and these ones are obscenely stronger that the other brand. My boss told me they were of good quality, and he actually uses tools for real things, unlike me
The whole, happy, family.
Alright, I will post more as this progresses, and if everything goes well, some finished products after our meeting on sunday.
Thanks for the continueing encouragement everyone!
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