Question about the size of picks

[MisterSteve124]

I'm about to make my first set of picks now out of hacksaw blades. I just realized that if I do like it said in pyro's video and divide them into 3 peices they will only be 4" long and most of the templates I have has picks that are like 4.75" long. Should I keep it at 4" and just have a shorter handle or cut them in half and do it that way?

[melvin2001]

whichever you prefer. try it both ways in fact. i personally like my pick handles a bit longer, but i have made a set for my wallet with shorter handles. the only thing that really matters is that the pick shafts are long enough to fit into the back of most locks, and the head and shaft are properly sized to allow for decent movement inside the lock.

[MisterSteve124]

Ok I just wanted to make sure cause I only have 2 blades right now and I wanted to make sure I didn't mess up. I think I'll try with the smaller ones right now. I have small hands anyways. Thanks

[Kaotik]

I too like making my pick handles a bit longer, so I just cut (whether it be a 10" or 12" hacksaw blade) in half. Me personally, I would rather have too much to work with than not enough.

So like Melvin said; "try it both was in fact". you will find what length works best for you.

Oh, and feel free to post the homemade picks in the homebrew hall of fame thread in the lockpicks-manuel section.

[quickpicks]

Just make them comfortable for you.... having someone else tell you how to make them doesn't really help and is more of a guideline

[zeke79]

If you like, you can visit my site by clicking my www button and look up many different pick templates to get an idea of the sizes used by most common pick manufacturers.

[davou]

I'm not sure if anyone has done it yet, but once my commercial picks arrive (give em ten or so days) I will photograph them digitally sitting next to rulers for each dimension/shape.

[JackNco]

Yep u can find them on locksportarchives.com