Jackpot?

[freakparade3]

I have been reading the posts on pickmaking and wanted to try it when I remembered something. I used to work for Maytag, years ago they threw out a bunch of obsolete trim kits so I took some home. I have 10 sheets of stainless steel the size of refrigerator doors at my dads farm. I had forgotten it was there till now. I think I should be able to make a pick or two with these. What do ya'll think? Is stainless steel a good material to work with?

[Shrub]

The best in my prefferance,

[Bud Wiser]

Stainless steel is preferred!

btw, I always wanted to know, perhaps you can anwser this question for me,

are Maytag repair men really as lonely as those old commercials said they were

[freakparade3]

If you saw how the appliances are treated in the warehouses like I have you would have to say definately not!!

[Romstar]

That is one major lucky haul!

12 refrigerator door sheets of stainless.

Can you get a micrometer and tell us the thickness? That can make a bit of a difference.

I can tell you one thing, your dremel is going to get a heck of a workout.

Romstar

[freakparade3]

I as wondering about the thickness as well so I ordered a micrometer. If it's the right thickness I will be offering some of it here for people that want it. It might take awile for me to get is cut up in sheets so I won't say when yet, but theres no point in keeping it all for myself, I'd never use it all.

[Romstar]

Oh, I am pretty darn sure I have a really nice use for it. Come to think of it, if the price is right, I could probably use most of it. Can't imagine what it would cost to ship though.

What you are looking for is a thickness between .020 and .030 inch. You can kinda get by if its thinner or thicker, but about the thinnest you can go is .015 inch, and if its thicker than .030 then you will have to do a lot of surface sanding to get the thickness down.

In any case, let us know what you have and maybe you can get rid of some of it.

Romstar

[devildog]

Ah the endless debate continues....My 2 cents on the matter is: spring/tool steel is definitely better, but good stainless is just fine, too.

[maxxed]

Each person will have a different feel, and will have a different preferencefor material and thickness. I use stainkless for rakes and spring steel on hooks and diamonds

thats my $.026 CAN ( adjusted for US currency )worth

[Kaotik]

You can always try using an in-line air metal sheer to cut the size pices you need, harborfreight has one for around $30 USD and will cut up to 18 gauge sheet metal. Or if you have a local sheet metal shop in your area, they will be able to cut your stock with their press brake and sheer unit.

I don't have an air sheer, but have used one from them and considering the price it is well worth having.

[flaming jag]

Stainless steel is my most preferred material as its stronger then spring steel and other metals

[JackNco]

ya still dont get the obsession with making picks... sorry guys i just dont, its SO cheap to just buy a pick, i just received 13 new picks from southord and there spot on, i guess for the more advanced picker than me you can make picks to suit you but in that instance ide just take a dremmel to an existing pick

John

[Stray]

how much you pay for your picks?

[iNtago]

ya still dont get the obsession with making picks... sorry guys i just dont

is's the grinding, fileing, sanding art and see you work surpass southord and other less quality tools is addicting

i spend almost as much time drawling tenplates, finding new disines, grinding, fileind, and sanding as picking

[freakparade3]

Pride in knowing you took a raw material and turned it into something useful.