Falle Picks Template Project

[jackbeef]

If anyone is interested, I thought I would share my Falle Picks project. I'm not done, but I have some pictures that could possibly help someone get some ideas or something.

The metal is 1/8 inch mild steel plate. If I had anything thinner I could have saved myself some grinding time, but I don't. I'm just going to let the pictures explain the process except for the one with clearcoat. I used it in hopes of protecting the paper from quenching, and it did, but it also bubbled up and sort of got in the way of my view when I was getting close to the paper.





























This is where I'm at so far. If anyone wants to see the final product I will post a picture of it when I'm done. Enjoy!

[timal]

Please post an udate. I would like to see how the picks are coming along.

[timal]

That's 'update'

[mjwhit]

wow how thick is that metal dude?
That last pick kinda cracked me up how it goes from thick to thin. Its actually not a bad idea though, saves riviting/welding handles together, not that i do anyway (heatshrink). But it would give a good grip aye?

Nice work bro. Post an update ASAP

[jackbeef]

UPDATE!

I'm glad that I didn't wait until I was finished with this pick before I tried it. I guess the moral of the story is, "Don't use mild steel to build picks!" It seems strong when it's thick, but when it's thin it's so soft I can bend it with my fingers. lol Oh well, back to the drawing bored. Lesson learned.

[timal]

Good try anyway.

[mjwhit]

what a shame... i hope we get an update when you get some good metal

[JackNco]

ah well. and it was going so well. just my opinion but wouldn't u find picks like that 2 heavy to pick with?

[gostone]

Very good work, but your right about the mild steel...... not a great choice.
I would suggest you buy some hardened spring steel. You want to start with .028 stock, that way when you polish and finish you will be between .020 and .025.
It is readily available, and come in 6" by 25" generally, and makes excellent picks. It is usually around 40 rockwell, this is an ideal hardness for this application.

Best of luck....

[jackbeef]

ah well. and it was going so well. just my opinion but wouldn't u find picks like that 2 heavy to pick with?

That pick was not finished. I was going to make the whole thing .025 inches thick measuring with calipers. What you see there is just how far I got on it today. You are right though, when I was playing with it and bent it, it was way too heavy and I couldn't feel the clicks very well at all. But I sure am glad I found out it was weak before I spent all day grinding it down.