Homebrew pick set

[technik]

those are the best home made jobs I have ever dreamed about!!! I seriously thought they were all bought, but then I read your text, awesome!!! Can you explain more about this drain unclogger thing? Anlso, Im with Romstar, do you reckon you could post the pics, as everyone has word, thatd be awesome. (If you dont know or cant post the pics, I would be more than happy, no, priveliged to post them for you )

[Luke]

Tecknik it's called flat plumbing snake, try bunnings, home hardware, true value they all might have it...

[Camarda]

Those look alot better than some of the proffesional picks I've seen. Nice job.

[technik]

kewl, thanks luke

[NDE Bypass]

I could not say enough about them so I won't say anything except you have a keen eye for minute details and tools with an obviously very steady hand. What an excellent job.

[pick_maker]

Thanks for your comments! Quite a back-slapping. Like scoring a goal against Jens Lehman. I should add- a certain amount of work with tiny hand files was required especially with the round rakes. This next scan shows the waferlock pick template laserprinted on stickyback label paper. While making this pick you'll discover the steel needs to be cooled. Dunking in water will lift the laser ink and you'll rapidly loose template integrity so what you have to do is dab some water on your stock steel and lay the piece on the water, template side up. Cutting the key hole first is a good idea- Dremel carbide tip.

[pick_maker]

Having no original pick and the failure to pick a desk drawer lock in a timely fashion, I had to experiment with the design. The shaft cut was shortened and a thicker piece of steel was used giving a firmer pick with less play between the tines. These are the actual pick shapes. The top one has rounded opposite and alternate shapes -if the scan is not clear on your computer. If you want the full sheet template of 12 picks please email me. It was created in Microsoft Word so you will need Office 97 or newer -PC or Mac no problem.

[mr lockpickman]

mine are better.......honest

i just err can't find my digital camera

yeah that's it, i can't find my digi cam


nah. That is the best homemade pick set i have ever seen. You've inspired me, i've drawn out 20 designs and i'm going to make them all

!!!!!THEM ALL!!!!!

[obcessedwithcoffee]

Hey All!!

I was just wondering the thickness of steel you would reccomend to make the wafer picks.

Thanks in advance.

[Romstar]

I'd say the wafer picks should be made from .045 - .055 stock.

The larger amount of material will increase the stress to the metal, and result in easier bending. So, it's important that you use a thinker material than your standard picks.
Obviously, 0.50 is the thickness of two standard picks.

Have fun, and experiment.

Romstar

[pick_maker]

FYI: Pick in the picture was made from a Stanley backsaw blade. I do not know the exact thickness on that. Lable on the old plumbing snake says the dimensions are 20 ft. by 1/4" wide by 1/32" thick.

[Exodus5000]

Very impressive.
On the advice of Romstar i went to by local Ace hardware to find plumbing snake. I did indeed find it, but it was perhaps a 50ft coild for close to $40. And the metal seemed to be far too thick to be of any use as a pick. I wonder if they only carry a thicker brand?

Side Note:
Can I get the dimensions for your warded key set?
Anyone whoe can make templates for varoius picks with dimensions labeled would be a god in my eyes should they decide to share that information.

[monkeE]

Really great set man!


So feeling inspired, and light on cash (college student) I headed for Big Lots to acquire some cheap steel. Being the nature of Big Lots, the flat steel plumbing snake was currently unavailable. I searched for another source, and finally chose a dollar pack of 12 hich carbon hack saw blades.


They are kinda working, but I had to re-heat treat them (ie anneal and then later harden and then temper blue) Some pictures to come, but I have a feeling pick_makers set will be far superior.

Just thought I'd let people know that hack saw blades are a little cheaper than the plumbing snake (at least from Big Lots). 36 picks for $1 hacksaw blades compared to 60 for $6 plumbing snake. I know its splitting hairs, but for us college students, anything for a little extra beer money, eh?

[Romstar]

On the topic of plumbing snakes,

I have something around here called a dollar store. Sort like a cheap ass five and dime. Also a good place would be a surplus store.

In any case, I paid $2.00 per snake. I'd have to measure the things, but I'd say 60 picks wouldn't be far off the mark.

Oh, and remember you want a FLAT steel snake. A lot of hardware, building supply, and warehouse places only seem to have these coiled steel jobs. Don't ask for just a plumbing snake, because you'll get directed to that pile of coiled nightmare.

Romstar

[pick_maker]

Before this becomes a pile of pick blanks... You will need a pliers to pull the end out it's wound so tight. Pretty amazing this stuff is so flexible.