Wiper Inserts

[5thcorps]

I'm Parts Manager at a new car dealership and come in contact with thousands of wiper blades. The steel inserts in all of them are usually pretty flimsy. I've made picks out of small screw drivers by grinding them down and also from hacksaw blades. In the few years I've been picking I've never tried wipers. But am I missing something with the wiper inserts? They just don't seem rugged enough to keep from bending. Is there a tempering process you guys use to make them stronger? Just curious is all. My screw driver picks and hacksaw picks work pretty decent I thought maybe now I'd give the wipers a shot.
All my best.

[Shrub]

Inserts are better for tension wrenches but a lot do use them for picks, you shouldnt be putting too much force on a pick as to bend it anyway, the length you use for a pick means they are more than rigid enough,

[Romstar]

They are only flimsy at full length actually.

They aren't perfect, but when you cut them down to size, you aren't spreading the force over such a large area. So they don't bend as easily.

Romstar

[5thcorps]

What length do you recomend Rom?

[Bud Wiser]

for picks or tension wrenches? Wipers really are not that good for picks, I've made a few, never use them now. For tension wrenches they are pretty good! Lengths any where from 2 inches to 4-1/2 inches, depending on your preferences and styles, make several sizes and widths too! Double end wrenches, etc. It's not rocket science at all for tensions. No rules set in stone for this

[5thcorps]

Thanks Bud I'll give it a whirl,

[Romstar]

For Raimundo's "Bogota" picks, wiper inserts are acceptable, and for tension wrenches they are very good.

Romstar