Excellent homemade pick Stock

[assweasel]

Get Your self a Die makers set of files called "Riffler File Set"

The one I used was a 12 piece set @ $7.00 cdn
Purchased at Summit Tools in Burnaby BC
Imported By a company called BRICO

The set is double ended so you can make 12 picks from it.
A tad thicker stock than necessary but easily sanded/grinded to size.

I have a belt sander and a grinder and fashioned a diamond and a snake in about 5 minutes using this stock.

You will need to heat the ends and hammer them flat but well worht the effort.

Good strong steel.

When I get around to making a full set from them I will post some pics.

[unjust]

isnt' file steel quite hard and brittle?

[JackNco]

I would have thought so but im interested to see some pics and hear how well they work. im sure i must be thinking of something else as files would be a bit thick wouldn't they?

[assweasel]

Ok here is a couple of shots for you with just a diamond.

If you look hard enough in the pack you will see a diamond in it.





As to files being to hard??? that would depend on the file type. These are made from mild steel and then tempered heating them up takes the temper off and voila fully workable.

In the pic below the Diamond is made from the exact same file pictured below it. (i bought several packs of these fine files )

I whipped this together in just a couple of minutes after reading the replies above. My bad I should have waited and done it all at once.



Like i said when i get around to it I will make a full set and post some photos. Gave the snake/diamond to someone else....

[Eyes_Only]

Pretty good job. Looks like you have already got half way through in completing a full home made set. One of my first pick tools was fashioned out of a small file set too when I first started. This was like 8 or 9 years ago when I was still in high school and had no access to the internet and before the locksport community ever existed. Brings back fond memories.....

[JackNco]

actually that looks pretty cool. i guess as long as u get a nice finish on them they could work well. remember you want them about 0.6mm thick at the most.

All the best