pick questions from a newbie

[ParkerB]

I know, this will probably get taken down , but why not give it a chance, and if there is a problem with this post please let me know, admins!
I am looking to get my hands on some free/REALLY cheap picks, I have tension wrenches already, and I have a lock, at least, to get me going. I tried to make my own tools....they just broke very quickly, I may need to go try a different metal? either way, I am hoping to get a few, even if you send me one, its better than the 0 I have now!
PM me with anything!
Peace

[edit title due to move- unlisted]

[Olson Burry]

Interesting post

I think what would be good is if we knew a little more about your technique or how you came to break your home made picks. Certain things like what method and materials were used to create the picks, the amount of force you deemed necessary to attempt picking and the particular lock you have to practice on. Pictures if you can take them are always good. (640x480).

Really, braking picks should be a rare thing and it is often the case that newcomers to the sport apply far too much tension. It can get frustrating when the lock wont open and maintaining a relaxed attitude with light tension and a concentrated mind is paramount here.

Can you show us your problems and outline your intentions in a bit more detail? Maybe if you took a look at lockpickshop.com you'd be able to afford a few professional tools.

I'm not averse to the idea of making a small pick set for you, the materials are pretty cheap and I enjoy making them. I don't know where you are located and really, why should I pay shipping costs and the rest to a member that hasn't really contributed to this community yet.

It's like the 50p I gave to some bloke on the street in a blanket playing the bongos last night. I dont know what his plans are, is he saving for something or is he going to spend it on beer or something worse, will it be wasted or will he see me one day and say "hey, I'm so happy, I used this money and got a new interest, a new hobby, house, girlfriend or a new lease on life". Or is he just going to be the same guy asking questions and not listening to the answers.

An open dialogue about your experiences would be great. Especially if you find this sport interesting and have questions. I think we love questions.

OB

[SEVEN]

nothing wrong with beer.

[Olson Burry]

Indeed. I must confess to have had a few beers myself when I wrote that, looks like I made a reasonable amount of sense though.

I blame Easter.

[ParkerB]

I understand your concern.
My first attempt was with windshield wiper blade supports for the tension wrenches and a few hack saw blades made into the picks, a half diamond and a few curves. I am not sure of the material, I was sure to use ones laying around that no-one would miss, but I do know that when I bent them (to 'cut' them before I made the actual tools) they broke instead of bent, and I read somewhere that that was the type of metal you wanted. I have a little 'masterlock No7' I would say the 'body' of the lock is 3/4"x3/4"x1/4", but thats a guess on size, I think its a 4 pin, its been a while since I ran a pick through it. I also tried to pick a door lock, my friend got a room in a 4 BR 1 BA kit/liv appt and the girl who had the room before her wouldn't give her the key to her room, so she asked if I could get through the lock, unfortunately I didn't make it, but they did later...foot to the door.
I think a few things happened to break my tools, poor use of them (I wiggled them back and fourth in the door lock trying to pull them out whenever they got stuck) and they were, in a way, too thin, and honestly, poor quality metal, cheap material.
I hope this answers your questions, if you have any more let me know!
peace

[TTXIII]

I also tried to pick a door lock

Well as many before me have said, "never pick a lock in use". And believe me it is VERY good advice (Murphy's law ruins many people's days). As for the picks, I personally prefer making my own out of windshield wiper inserts (~$5 for 44" of material). I still haven't bought manufactured picks yet (well from DX but I'm not going to count those), because I like my homebrew better since I can customize them to whatever I want them to be. As far as materials for homebrew picks, street sweeper bristles and windshield wiper inserts are tried and true materials; however, the less common pipe snake has given me great success and is the most cost effective (unless you like chasing street sweepers all day ). The pipe snake is a little less than twice the width of the wiper material and will be considerably stiffer, but it is still springy enough to make picks with excellent feedback. So in conclusion, I would recommend that you make your own picks from the relatively cheap and easily to get materials and the knowledge and tutorials on this forum. If you still wish to purchase picks then a dealextreme has excellent deals on picks and free shipping (~3 weeks to get to Colorado). Anyway I hope that helps.

Cheers,
-XIII

*note* After skimming my post I realized it was rather essay-like , lesson in that being when I just finish an essay at 1AM and post soon after, my posts are going to be structured like an essay

[ParkerB]

thanks XIII! I will be looking around tomorrow in the basement for materials and going to town on them, just making whatever out of whatever, and i will try to find something to make a case out of, so I don't loose my picks and wrenches, what locks should I start with? this lock quickly became easy to open.
the door wasn't 'in use' the girl just didn't want to leave her house and drop off the key, and had no intention of doing so, until the beginning of the month when my friends time in the apartment 'officially' started, nothing was behind the door, now was the girl perturbed by my trying to get in...she was just selfish and lazy! LOL
Peace

[unlisted]

Okay, this started as a "want" ad, and has taken a sharp turn from that.. I'm going to move this to a more appropriate forum. If you still wish to purchase picks, please start a new thread in B S T and just ask for picks.


Thanks!

[ParkerB]

thanks 'unlisted' for moving it, I started to notice the change and was wondering if it would get moved.
XIII you were saying you used the windshield wiper blade 'supports', if you will, for your picks, they seems kind of narrow, to have room to make a pick and then for a handle, its hard to hold these, they're kind of small. Is there anything...besides tape, that would make an easy, but responsive, handle?

[tballard]

XIII you were saying you used the windshield wiper blade 'supports', if you will, for your picks, they seems kind of narrow, to have room to make a pick and then for a handle, its hard to hold these, they're kind of small. Is there anything...besides tape, that would make an easy, but responsive, handle?

Pretty much anything can be used. Personally, I like laminating additional layers of metal on to the handles with steel epoxy. (JB Weld is the brand I use...) You can also get very good results using super glue (cyanoacrylate). Be sure you sand the surfaces to be glued well, and have them free of oil, dust, etc.... People use everything from popsicle sticks to disposable razor blade handles. There are also techniques which use polymer clay, wrapping with wire, heat shrink tubing, etc... Look around this forum and you should find some ideas.

[ParkerB]

I made some pics and found that I LOVE the 'windshield wiper' material better than the hacksaw blades, not as flimsy, also today I sat down and really worked on them and used a torch to make the 'bent end' (I don't want to go find the term[i will get them eventually]) pick, they turned out nice IMHO, I just need to figure the handle out, and that will be looking at what I have and how it will work!