Making royalty - King and Queen Picks

[Romstar]

Gold plated sheets for pick handles? Jeez...
Well I'm... I'm ....

I'm going to get precambrian insects that have been fossilized in amber and shape the amber into a pick handle. That way I'll always know, my pre-historic mosquito in amber is my hook pick, my pre-historic fly in amber is my half diamond, etc.

...top that

If you shave amber that thin it cracks.

And yes, I said gold plated sheets. The only set I have ever done like that wasn't plated. It was 18k gold sheet. They were a commerative set given by a son to his father. My local jewler was a bit surprised when I asked if he could get the stuff.

If I ever have a reason to make another set like that, I will take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

Romstar

[Peter Martin]

Romstar,
Given the thought and engineering you've put into these picks, I presume that the distance from peak-to-peak of tips, the distance from the peak-to-trough, and the corresponding height difference from peak-to-trough are your critical dimensions.
While I can print the template to "about" 4.75" there will probably be some corresponding variation in the tip height/distances. I presume that there is a "tolerance" which keeps these picks working at their greatest efficiency.
In other words, is there some comparison to standard YALE key spacing and depth that keeps this within your manufacturing tolerance? Or am I just over analyzing this???

(I hear the answers now: Shut up and just grind the darn picks!)

[Romstar]

Yale spacing is 0.165 pin to pin. If memory serves, the templates here are 0.155

Because you move the picks back and forth, this slight difference in spacing allows you to cover a wider variety of locks while still taking care of the Yale series.

If you downloaded my templates, tey are 300 DPI and exactly 4.75 inch end to end. If you can get really close to that size they should be fine.

The templates I posted were designed to be printed with a Lexmark C510 colour laser printer. I made a few tweaks to get them out at the right size here, but if you can make them print at the proper length and maintain the aspect ratio the spacings should be within range.

I get the funniest feeling I am going to have to post measurements with the new set just so everyone can analyze them to death.

If anyone asks for my design notes, the answer is no. They wouldn't be much good to anyone anyway as half of it is in my head. Some is computer aided, and the rest is by eye. I'm going blind staring at this micrometer anyway.

Bear in mind I did not create the original King and Queen. I have made some very slight modifications ofter the past while, but by and large they are pretty much the same as the originals. The additional picks will be all mine though.

Romstar

[Anero]

Hey Romstar,

Any update on the progress of these picks? more pics maybe?

[scorpiac]

I was wondering the same thing, been waiting to see the pictures of the finished cork handles?

[Romstar]

Sorry guys, my bad.

I will get pictures of the finished picks, and most likely a set up tonight.

Sorry about that.

Romstar

[Anero]

no prob Romstar, it just those pics werel ooking nice and i've never seen cork handles and the updates stoped thanks

[Romstar]

These are the only two images I could find without my wife to tell me where she put them, so I hope these will do until I can post some more images of a set, and maybe a spring steel version.




Romstar

[iNtago]

beutifull!!!
nice case too but what about the tension tools?
cant wait to get mine

just, beutifull
iNtago

[Romstar]

That case is a one off, unless its requested.

There are going to be some more pictures with all the pieces, as well as the regular case they come in.

I just have to get the wife to FIND the pictures. Otherwise, I have to take more and go through it all over again.

Romstar

[Anero]

hey Romstar those are gorgeous, are you selling sets?

[Romstar]

Yes, I do sell sets.

PM me for infomation.

Romstar

[Peter Martin]

Very nice... excellent presentation for the Christmas season. Add a little bow and stuff someone's stocking!

[Romstar]

Actually, I am going to see if I can make a little cardboard insert covered in flocking for that very purpose. That way the tools don't bounce all around, and it looks better when you open it.

Stocking stuffers all around.
Romstar

[Spossum]

Very nice job Romstar. Do they work as good as they look?