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Made first pick! Give me feedback!

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Made first pick! Give me feedback!

Postby Timmy321 » 18 May 2004 13:55

Okay, I made my first pick today...it's just a basic hook. didn't take me very long at all...tommorow I may try a snake.



Image


how do you think they look? If you want pics of my bicycle spoke tension wrench lemme know, and I'll post it.


give me feedback!

:)
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Postby mcm757207 » 18 May 2004 15:56

might just be me, but that hook looks a bit steep. You could probobly pick a lock with it sure- but compared to profesional picks it looks a bit large.
mcm757207
 
Posts: 1468
Joined: 12 Jan 2004 22:02

Postby Timmy321 » 18 May 2004 16:44

I'm thinking about making the hook slightly more slim, and shaving part of the hook off...because it does like you said seem to large...
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Re: Made first pick! Give me feedback!

Postby Romstar » 18 May 2004 17:27

Timmy321 wrote:Okay, I made my first pick today...it's just a basic hook. didn't take me very long at all...tommorow I may try a snake.



Image


how do you think they look? If you want pics of my bicycle spoke tension wrench lemme know, and I'll post it.


give me feedback!

:)


In my opinion, and bear in mind this is only MY preference. I personally believe that the picks should total 4.5 - 5.5 inches in length, no more, and be no wider than 5/16 - 7/16. Most comercial picks are 5/16 in width.

The handle is too small, and the hook too high. The hook you can change, but adding metal to the handle is beyond the scope of this forum. There is a use for such a large hook, and if you could put a handle on such a small pick, similar to the HPC Short Sure-Grip picks. Seen here: http://www.hpcworld.com/lockhpc/p_srhpx.htm
You would have a really cool covert set. I'm thinking of making such picks as soon as I settle on a rubber compound I like.

I know of many people who use picks with handles like yours, and they are very comfortable with them. If you are comfortable with them, and they work the way you want, that is what matters the most.
Buy some sand paper in increasingly finer grits. Polish the picks, and they will work much better. Most of my picks are finished with a burnishing wheel. If you can manage that, the things will be smooth as sin, and just shine. Even if you blue the steel to prevent rusting.

Before you think I'm slaming you, I want to tell you this:
From a workmanship stand, it is very, very good. The lines are clean, the shaft is a good thickness, and very level with no perceptible waviness. This makes or breaks a pick when in use. You have a good radius on the hook, and this is important as well. In addition, the shaft seems to be within the 2" limit I feel is safe before you run the risk of making a shaft that is easy to bend.

From a technical standpoint, I like it. From a personal view, I don't think that I would be comfortable using such a small handle without more thickness.
But that's just me. :)

Making picks is like using picks. Practice, practice, practice.

Happy grinding, and keep up the good work.
Romstar
Image
Romstar
 
Posts: 2823
Joined: 18 Apr 2004 3:13
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Postby Timmy321 » 18 May 2004 17:36

I thought about it and decided that the handle was fine...it feels fine...tommorow I will fix the hook and polish it and maybe make a few more picks if I get time...

thanks for your input
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Right answer

Postby Romstar » 18 May 2004 17:40

Timmy321 wrote:I thought about it and decided that the handle was fine...it feels fine...tommorow I will fix the hook and polish it and maybe make a few more picks if I get time...

thanks for your input


Now that was the right answer. "...It feels fine...".

I'd love to see any other picks and tools that you make. I think you're going to be really good at it.

Romstar
Image
Romstar
 
Posts: 2823
Joined: 18 Apr 2004 3:13
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Postby Timmy321 » 18 May 2004 17:44

here is a better shot...looks like there was a little dirt on the end of the hook... oops...forgot to wipe it off :oops:

http://img2.photobucket.com/albums/v11/ ... /pick1.jpg

I'll get better pics tommorow if I get time...
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Nice pick

Postby Romstar » 18 May 2004 18:33

Cool picture.

How do you feel about the saw teeth being on the handle?
Image
Romstar
 
Posts: 2823
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Location: Nova Scotia, Canada

Postby maldotcom2 » 18 May 2004 19:07

personally by i would find it hadd to manover in small locks over the pins
it seems like a very deep curve

but if u like it thats what matters
The best lock pick is C4 followed by a sledge Hammer
Image
maldotcom2
 
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Postby Timmy321 » 18 May 2004 19:16

oh I'll be making several types of hooks! don't worry about that...I want a deep, medium, and small hook...plus several snakes..since those are the most useful (for pin and tumbler locks) I'll just make those for now...

the hacksaw blade being on the top doesn't bother me at all, the way I grip it there isn't much touching it, plus a hacksaw might come in handy sometime...I thought about it being on the top and it didn't bother me...other people might find it getting in the way depending on the way they grip it!
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Postby Timmy321 » 19 May 2004 15:00

Okay, so I got some more picks made today! a few different hooks, and I fixed my first one, and I got one snake done! All of these were made using a grinder...

http://www.freewebz.com/redline5thprofile/pickset.jpg

56k* that's a big pic so please be patient as it loads...


Comments?
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Postby Timmy321 » 19 May 2004 15:06

sry for posting 3 times in a row, no edit button...the link above doesn't work this one will or should:

http://www.freewebs.com/redline5thprofile/pickset.htm
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Postby Mad Mick » 19 May 2004 16:40

The link works, nice picks. Quick tip when posting though.....when making the post including a link to an image, hit the preview button, then click the link. This should show you if the link works properly.

Previewing a post anyway, before submitting, is good practice.
Image If it ain't broke.....pull it down and see how it works anyway!
Mad Mick
 
Posts: 2314
Joined: 8 Jan 2004 19:19
Location: UK

Postby Timmy321 » 19 May 2004 16:42

Mad Mick wrote:The link works, nice picks. Quick tip when posting though.....when making the post including a link to an image, hit the preview button, then click the link. This should show you if the link works properly.

Previewing a post anyway, before submitting, is good practice.


ah that's a good idea...
Hobby lock picker!
Timmy321
 
Posts: 134
Joined: 7 Nov 2003 22:42
Location: USA

Postby maldotcom2 » 19 May 2004 23:30

Hey...now theres some better hooks!

good job! :D
The best lock pick is C4 followed by a sledge Hammer
Image
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