Cutting picks with only a dremel.

[headshot tM]

Hey everyone, so I ordered my pick set, and it takes about a week to ship to Canada, so I decided I want to create a simple half diamond/small hook to start practicing.

Now, I only have a dremel, with lots of carbon reinforced cut out blades, and a bunch of other sanding/polishing attachments.

I might get a desk grinder later on, but currently I don't have one.

So my question is:

What would be the best cut off disk/wheel to cut the pick blank (just the basic outline and not the details on the pick head?)

Do you prefer to use a vice grip for it or hold it in your hand?

Thanks.

[headshot tM]

Sorry, I forgot to add:

I'm using hack saw blades and mini 6'' hack saw blades for tension tools.

How would you go about cutting a strip down? Would you use a cut off blade and cut a strip down, or grind it down on the side?

[Isepic]

Well, I just recently made some ouf of some windshield wiper blades, and, like you, only had a dremel to work with. What I did was cut out a rough shape with a straight carbide cutting bit (kind of looks like a drill bit with a flat end, all metal). I then used a grinding attachment to get the shape down a bit closer, and finished it them off by sanding the crap out of them. It may take a bit more time starting with a hacksaw blade though, so I don't know if you would want to follow my advice.

Essentially what I did was just remove a tiny bit at a time with each tool, cooling it every couple strokes of the dremel, almost like whittling a stick. Remember, no matter how you do it, let the tool do the cutting, don't try to force it or apply too much pressure, or you'll overheat the metal, break the bit, or cut too deeply in the material, wasting it.

[headshot tM]

Alright thanks, how long did it take you to finish it off?

So you just quenched the blade in water every couple of seconds?

[Isepic]

Well, water would work, but I had a nice pile of snow to use. I just had my thumb close to the end I was grinding, and when my thumb started to get too hot, I just stuck it in a snowball for a couple seconds. If you don't put too much pressure when you're cutting or grinding (like I said, use the bit to do the cutting, not force), you can get by with only cooling it off 3 or 4 times throughout the whole procedure.

I could get a pick roughed out in about 10 to 15 minutes, took about 5 to 10 minutes to clean it up with the grinding bit, then roughly 30 to 45 minutes sanding.

[headshot tM]

Alright cool, so you didn't use a vice grip?

[Isepic]

No, didn't have one available, so I just did it with the dremel in one hand and the metal in the other. Given the option, I would have preferred using a vice, but more to hold the dremel than to hold the material, but then again, the picks I made are actually fairly good, nice and slim, and quite functional.

[headshot tM]

Thanks for the response, and sorry I'm asking too many questions.

What dremel speed did you use 1-10?

Did your dremel get pretty hot after using it for 1-2 mins cutting metal? Just letting the tool do the work.

Sorry, I'm new to this.

[Isepic]

No, the only way to learn is to ask stuff you don't know.

For the dremel tool speed, mine doesn't have numbers on it, as such, just a slide switch. Regardless, I just cranked it up to the highest it would go. Yes, the dremel tool did get hot, but I had the advantage of it being quite cold outside, so the heat of the dremel didn't make too much difference. About the only time I really noticed the tool getting hot was when I went to go change from the cutting bit to the grinding wheel, and burnt my thumb.

[headshot tM]

Did you cut into the metal or cut ontop of the metal? So like did you start to cut the side of it or just start cutting on the top of the blade?

This is my last question, thanks a bunch for the fast responses. Helped me a lot.

[Isepic]

I just started from the top of the metal. Imagine you have a pocket knife in in one hand and a stick in the other, just like you are going to whittle the stick down. It was pretty much exactly like that, except I moved the metal (stick) as opposed to the tool (knife) I just shaved it down, not even a millimeter at a time, until I got it thin enough, then worked on the tip pretty much the same way.

Like I said though, I had a lot less material to cut away, using a windshield wiper insert, so it will probably take you quite a bit longer starting with a hacksaw blade. I was probably starting with something about the size of your mini hacksaw blade, but I was intentionally going for a pick with a thin handle.

Don't worry about asking too many questions, I'm sure anyone here would be more than happy to help, I just happened to be sitting on the forum.

[headshot tM]

I didn't quite understand, so I made a diagram.

Also did you guide the cutting with the dremel or did you guide the metal? So did you carve the outline by moving the metal or did you move the dremel along the guide?

Also if you guided the metal did you use your off-hand or main hand?

[Isepic]

Like this:
(#2 in your image...)
I held the dremel tool with my off hand, and stroked the metal against the bit with my right, but that was more a personal preference. Just remember, you can always take more metal off, but you can't add it back on when it's been cut away. I found it gave me better control if I almost "hugged" the dremel and kept it pressed against my chest.

This is the bit I used to get the rough shape down:
http://www.toolbarn.com/product/dremel/D-9901/, but they can be had for less than the price listed, just go to Wal Mart (or whatever the Canadian equivalent is...) and then finished them more with just a conical silicon carbide grinding bit.

If you go out tomorrow to buy a bit (or for anything else), then go to an auto parts store and see if there are any windshield wiper blades in the trash can. Not only do they make good tension wrenches, if you find wide ones, they make nice picks as well.

[headshot tM]

This is the dremel kit that I bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000P7 ... roduct_top

It's the 75 year anniversary limited edition, comes with a bunch of bits.

Do you know if anyone of those can be used like your tungsten carbide cutter?

[Isepic]

Nice kit! Might have to look at picking one of those up.

I can't really get a good look at it, but it looks like the circled one would work.


If it's just a flat rod with cutting spurs all around it, then it should work.