Homebrew Hall of Fame!

[jamesphilhulk2]

hi thanks guys yeah they are really comfortable handles, next time i will post link sorry

[raimundo]

When I joined this site, very few were making picks, pyros video was already on here, but it took a while for pickmaking to become a very large topic on the forum, I have suggested that it get it own whatchamacallit, heading. but anyway, pickmaking is the answer for all those who
1. don't have the money
2. cant find a place to buy picks
3. want to pick some lock that is different or too tiny for commercial picks
4. have used commercial picks but have designs of their own
and a few more reasons, you can add your own

pick making will make you self sufficient. you won't need to buy the picks

[hesevil]

When I joined this site, very few were making picks, pyros video was already on here, but it took a while for pickmaking to become a very large topic on the forum, I have suggested that it get it own whatchamacallit, heading. but anyway, pickmaking is the answer for all those who
1. don't have the money
2. cant find a place to buy picks
3. want to pick some lock that is different or too tiny for commercial picks
4. have used commercial picks but have designs of their own
and a few more reasons, you can add your own

pick making will make you self sufficient. you won't need to buy the picks

I agree completely. I bought the 20-piece Southord when I first started, but was making my own at the same time. In addition to being fun to make, there's a real sense of accomplishment and pride in opening a lock with tools you've made yourself.

-Matt

[Exodus5000]

I remember when I first was attracted to pick making. I went out to wal-mart and bought a bench grinder and dremel tool with some cut off wheels, just like pyro had perscribed. Whatever happened to that guy anyways?

Anyways, I spent that afternoon grinding out 'picks' which would be better called atrocities. I was proud of them though. That's the biggest problem about pick making. You have to make about 50 picks before you start becoming proficient with a bench grinder and files. That really sucks because you want to be using the tools you make right off the bat, but those first couple dozen made are pretty much scrap.

[Chucklz]

When I started to grind picks out of wiper blade inserts, I just took a single insert, attempted to rough out a pick on one end using a grinder, and then cut the insert so that I could insert it in an exacto knife handle, and then I went and tried to grind another pick. If there was even a hint of discoloration due to excess heat or some other grinder disaster, I just cut the section off and began again. I didn't even bother trying to rescue these picks, as I considered the whole thing a learning experience. The most important thing I learned was that when making a pick a grinder is great for large scale wasting of metal, but any kind of fine work calls for sharp files and an investment in time.

[quicksilver]

I attended a little welding certification which featured a class on metallurgy. The instructor spoke of sources for various grades of steel and mentioned a story that if true, is a great way to get some very high quality steel. I don't doubt it as I have seen the material and it is really pretty nice. In a nut-shell this is what he said:

There is a source for high quality steel that some people miss. The military orders a heck of a lot of spring steel that is not used and ends up on the surplus market. A great deal of it is sold at such a low level that it is bought for penny's on the dollar. One of the best (volume vs cost) is used in the plumbing industry. Plumbing Snakes are often made of flat spring steel that originally costs quite a bit. One company in particular buys their steel this way. And it is in a form that can be quite useful. They buy up the flat 18.0mmx1.5mm & 6.0mmx0.5mm which are good sizes for a lot of things. These are the flat style snakes typically used in residential setting. They also buy up the coils or various sizes that are typically used in commercial plumbing snakes. The brand name of the largest company which does this is "BrassCraft". Looking at their products, one will immediately see the utilitarian uses that material is available for. The sizes are near perfect for picks of various designs.

[Kaellman]

Took some pictures of a set of pics iv made that im giving away.


http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snc10409ku6.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snc10408qr6.jpg

Tell me what you think.

[Schuyler]

i think they're gorgeous. No clue how I feel about the handle design, but they look very smooth and clean. Good work.

[Schuyler]

i think they're gorgeous. No clue how I feel about the handle design, but they look very smooth and clean. Good work.

[jamesphilhulk2]

yeah good job persoally i would have made the handles longer but i like long handles lol

good

[Exodus5000]

I like the shape of them, very falle-esque. I used to round off my picks that much too, they really almost look knife-edged from the side. You'll find that it really isn't all that necessary if you sandpaper enough to round off your edges that much. What'd you use to do it, maybe a dremel tool with some kind of carbide bit?

[Kaellman]

Actually these have been a work-in-progress for quite a while. I dremeled most of it and gave them some final tuches with a handfile. And filing and polishing them that much has work out really well for me.

[Kaotik]

Here is the pickset I recently finished. I call it the Tech2.0, they are a falle replica with custom handles. Schuyler is to be the new proud owner of these beauties.

The set:


A close up of the handle:


I hope Schuyler enjoys using and showing them off aswell as I have enjoyed making them.

Hope you guys like them.

[jamesphilhulk2]

WOW!!!


really nice set there, what are they made out of??

p.s hes a lucky guy to have those

great job

[scorpiac]

Holy S#!t ! WoW is right each of your projects out does the last... can't wait to see what comes next.

Phil.