buying a grinder

[rewt]

hmm i was in the hardware store today and saw a 1/2 HP bench grinder for $40, i was wondering if that would be useful for making picks

should i pick it up? or just pick up a dremel

[melvin2001]

a bench grinder can grind out picks much cheaper/faster then a dremel. but a dremel allows for much finer adjustments of the pick.

and if your wondering a bench grinder is cheaper because the wheels for a dremel wear down fast and add up after awile.

[p team]

Just be careful when using the bench grinder that you do not over heat the metal/steel.Or you end up with weak picks that bend or break.

[Bud Wiser]

I use both grinder and dremel. I can use the grinder for basic hooks, but for more complicated pikcs I use my dremel with a cutting wheel for fine tuning. I also use files to smooth the pick out, and a dremel with a polishing wheel to polish my handles.

If your only going to make picks, you can buy the cheapest grinder, I've seen them for $29, and even $19!

[Schuyler]

You can get a lot cheaper. I got my 1/2 HP grinder (nicely balanced, works great) for $10

[5thcorps]

Bench grinders are great for making picks but also a lot of other things. Even the cheap ones tend to pay for themelves after a while. I bought mine for $29.00 4 years ago to make picks with. At that time I had just a casual interest in lock picking, It wasn't until a couple years later that it became a habit. But during that time my grinder has gotten me out of a lot of jams.

[rewt]

thank you for the information guys, i think im gonna look for a grinder a little stronger, and pick up a dremel kit too

i dont see myself ever getting tired of this hobby

[bumpit]

I got my half inch grinder at a pond shop for really cheap. You could always try that. I put a buffer wheel on one end of the grinder for polishing as well