Last weeks picks

[gotta]

I had some shop time last week and made some new tools. I have a few more I want to make for this set. They are stainless steel and just need a touch more rubbing compound.

[MBI]

Those look slick man, nice work. Although for some reason they remind me of going to the dentist.

[raimundo]

Wiper inserts?

[gotta]

Wiper inserts?

Yep, my mechanic saves them for me. I also purchase 304 stainless from an online source in larger sizes. I have a 6"x18" piece of 24 gauge on the way to make some wider ones.

I use a spiral key extractor to do the layout.
A dremel with a heavy cut off wheel for the rough in, as well as a bench grinder.
A dremel 1/4" cylinder grinding stone for smoothing the edges as well as various small files including a broken impressioning Grobbert file.
For finishing, I use a medium and fine Arkansas stone with the tool held flat on a piece of wood, then I finish with 600, then 1500 paper using rubbing compound, then a final buffing with a dremel polishing round.

[rontgens]

Really nice, I like them!

[Eyes_Only]

Those are beautiful tools. Very simple and elegant. Great job.

[gotta]

Thanks for the compliments. I would encourage all the new pick makers to get creative and find what works best for you. An investment in some time savers could make a big difference.

[lockeymoto]

good work, are you going to put handles on?

[gotta]

good work, are you going to put handles on?

I have a full set of Rytan's with the plastic handles I like. I hate the hpc handles, too clunky. I use a lot of Rytan's slimline tools. I get a good feel with them without handles and if you try and force the picks, it'll roll over in your fingers. I also love them for autos. I pick maybe a 1/3 of all the cars I open? Never kept track really. If I find a suitable handle material that's light and durable, I'll play around with them.

[gotta]

Ok, here's the rest of the set. Reading about the offset diamond yesterday, I decided to make one using the general shape of my Rytan. I made this one a tad thicker as these are subject to bending if you get a little hook happy. Hopefully the contrasting background in the pic will show them better.

[raimundo]

Very good, have you seen locknewbies new licorice handles? might be made of fimo though, you can get two colors of fimo and roll a couple of long rods then braid or twist them and pound them together then put em on and heat them to 230 degrees farhenheit for 20 minutes to set them.

[gotta]

I may look into that, I think I know of a craft store that carries it. Thanks.

[muskratt]

nice picks though. and tension wrenches. is that one a copy of the hpc one that goes around tricky wardings?

[gotta]

nice picks though. and tension wrenches. is that one a copy of the hpc one that goes around tricky wardings?

The offset tension wrenches are for knob cylinders like Schlage Tulip or Bell with a recessed cylinder. There are some others recessed that way as well.