Bending picks?

[a_kayaker]

Hey,

I have been picking for years with my Majestic picks. They are the first ones I bought and have held up well.

Before I joined this forum I was picking every now and then. Just when the "need" arose. Now I am picking every night. I have a ball of 12 or so locks and go through it nightly.

Thanks to this forum I have also added some locks containing spools to my collection. Locks like the Brinks 1014 and the Brinks R70. I can pick the R70 pretty reliably, but still have issues with the 1014.

Anyway, since I have been picking more often and picking locks that are more difficult (for me) I have noticed that my hooks are bending . I am seeing the bending occur not from side to side, but from top to bottom. The best way I can describe it is that the hook is being bent up.

Is this normal when picking as much as I am? Am I being too hard on the picks? I have noticed that with the R70 I have to use quite a bit of pressure on the pick. This is where I am seeing the bending.

I thought about buying a whole new set of picks, but I really only use the diamond, hooks and half moon. I was thinking of purchasing just those picks and maybe a few nice tension wrenches. Maybe some Bogotas too.

I have hack saw blades that I bought so I could try my hand at making picks. Just don't want to wait until I become proficient at it.

Suggestions on which picks to buy?

Thoughts... ideas?

[Chucklz]

Try using less tension on your tension tool. This should cause the pins to bind less firmly, and allow you to apply less pressure with your pick.

[xboxteen01]

is the half moon another word for a half circle?

[Shrub]

I have to say that in this case it is likely your tools,

Ive got a set of majestics that i got when i first started, i rarely use them but recently ive used them to play with the odd lock in the house instead of goign out to the workshop for my picks,

I have to say that in one 30 minute session i bent and snapped 4 of the picks and bent a further 2 which i assume will breack when bent back,

On the other hand ive got a set of SO that i use daily which i bought at the same time as the majestics and they are realatively unscathed in comparison,


My point is i think the majestics break down when any sort of serious use is expected of them, i think they are just weak metal,

[raimundo]

shrub mentions breaking a number of picks in a short time, when I use sweeper bristle, I find that there is significant difference in the steel from time to time, tempering is an art at best, My guess is that shrubs tools were a batch of steel with something brittle in the alloy, perhaps something unintended in the alloy, (they don't taste it like soup when they make it) Or came out of the tempering oven the last run of the day some monday when the operator was hung over. consistency in metal is what we hope for and try for, but sometimes its hit or miss.

[Chucklz]

I remember some old alt.locksmithing discussion about how Majestic picks were once of much higher quality than they are these days (these days being 7 years ago or so).

[bumber]

I've had no problems with my older homade picks(I say older B/C of my new project )Although tension is key.

[a_kayaker]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it is probably a mix of older tools (at least 8 years) and too much pressure on the R70.

I'll probably buy a few new picks and try to make a few. I still would like to have some of Rays too.


Will post pics of new picks.

[Eyes_Only]

I started out with Majestic picks as well. After a few years of bending and re-bending, one of my hook picks finally snapped on my last year. a_kayaker, since I assume you are proficient with picking locks I suggest Peterson if you really plan on buying a new set. The metal is great, you get more feedback from the lock and you can immediately feel the difference over the Majestic picks. Highly recommended.

[a_kayaker]

Thanks Eyes,

I have come to the same conclusion. I have looked around and I like the Peterson's the best. Looked and looked at the SO's, but just can't pull the trigger.

I'll order a few lonely picks from Peterson and then decide if I want a whole set.

[NIC]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it is probably a mix of older tools (at least 8 years) and too much pressure on the R70.

I'll probably buy a few new picks and try to make a few. I still would like to have some of Rays too.


Will post pics of new picks.

About the R70. If you're able to pick the lock consistently and you know the order of the pin sets perfectly, you should now be able(or pratice) to pick the lock with lesser tension. In reality, you don't have to feel every "ridge" of the serrated pin.