Tools for making picks - Help Please.

[kr15]

Hi.

I have used hacksaw blades to make tension wrenches, but i am having trouble making picks out of them. What tools would i need to use/invest in.
(Or is there a better material?

I can't order any online because i don't have a credit card of my own yet -still in highschool, and my parents will not let me use theirs - They just think i want to use them to break the law.

Thanks in advance, Kris.

[Eyes_Only]

A grinding wheel would be ideal but a hand held Dremel tool you can buy at any Home Depot or Lowes is very effective as well. Just make sure you purchase the right grinding bits for the tool.

[kr15]

Thanks for fast response, eyes. Does it matter which, or would the cheapest work fine?

[Libris]

Get a bench grinder and a set of needle files - that should be enough for now. Virtually any grinder will do, personally I have a NoName 250W grinder with 150mm grinding wheel - works like a charm. I don't own the Dremmel, but I don't feel any need to buy one. If I cannot do something with the grinder, I do it with files.

Cheers,
Libris

[JackNco]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auQbi_fkdGE

[kr15]

Thanks for that, Jack!

[JackNco]

hey thats what were here for but please try to HYSF

[riskadverse]

In US cities it's easy to find street sweeper bristles in the road. When I used to walk alot, I would find 2 or 3 a week. Stripping the insulation off copper wire makes a comfortable handle on them too.

[Eyes_Only]

Oh I forgot to add, buy the corded dremel. The battery on the cordless model dies very quickly and making even one hook pick can turn into a one week ordeal because it takes like 6 hours to recharge that stupid thing.

[jimmysmith]

I have alway bought my picks.. well i made a lot of things like snap picks and plug spinners and so on but the actual pick i alway bought...today i watched that you tube video, of a guy making picks on a grinder with hack saw blades... I figured it would work...but no way as good as the ones i have bought.. .
turns out diffrent.. I got some hack saw blades and went to town on them.. what i came up with in the end was awesome!!! I made 4 picks.. out of 2 old crapy hack saw blades... take about turning trash into gold... i was so imppressed....tomorrow i am going to attemp a hole set... i may even have to get a bigger pick case.. ..
I made a slim line diomond and hook and also a c rake and a ball pick.. man i have to tell ya..i might not ever buy another pick.

[Gordon Airporte]

You'll want some sandpaper to smooth the picks' edges and give them their final finish. I'd start at 220 grit, then 320, and stop at 400 - but you can certainly go higher of the super-smooth mirror finish.

[BobbO45]

After grinding the picks, I have found that a vibrating sander works very well for smoothing the picks and removing any burrs. It also saves a lot of time.

P.S. Don't forget to quench often when grinding the hacksaw blade, the heat can ruin a perfectly good pick by making it brittle.