Hacksaw blades - I cannot find the proper ones!

[subver]

Hello,
New guy here, been reading through a ton of the threads here, and am very interested in making my own pick set, preferably with the hacksaw blades.
I've got a dremel and the proper gear (and am quite crafty, so I have confidence in my abilities to make good quality picks), and I went out today for some hacksaw blades.. I stopped at 3 or 4 stores and all I could find were bimetal, shatter-prrof flexible blades. What gives? Is there a certain brand any of you prefer?
I've read a lot of "best steel?" type thread as well, and am aware I can buy some good pieces online, I'm just surprised I couldn't find any high carbon steel hacksaw blades.

I ended up buying one pack that didn't really specify what kind of steel it was, and when I went out to my car to try and snap it.. just bent.
I might still give it a go, at least to start practicing my new hobby until I find the proper metal, but I figured I would ask you guys if there was a certain "brand" of blades you preferred, or what?

I was also thinking... what about a butter knife? How do you think that would hold up once grinded down and shaped? Seems like they would be tough to grind, but it was just a passing thought.

Anyway, I might end up buying some high carbon spring steel blades (I read that is very nice) - here are some half inch, .025" thick high carbon spring steel blades for about $20 (7'9") http://www.mcmaster.com/#4091a6/=2ejjor

Thanks!

[tjweaver84]

I use whatever brand blades they sell at the navy exchange. They are pretty cheap and don't break when I bend them either. I actually prefer the not brittle aspect though for picks so I don't accidentally snap them off when I am picking at work and have to set the lock down fast to check people in.

[subver]

ok, well that's good to hear. I may as well just go ahead and make a basic set to practice with, get used to, then I can see how they are and worry about metals later.
Just made myself a tension wrench with an Allen wrench that I grounded down. So I think I will make a hook, a snake rake and a diamond to start out with.
Oh, and I should really buy a lock so I don't accidentally mess up my own! Boy, that would be embarrassing! haha

Thanks, though.. I mean they should work, at least for a bit.. I'll have to make my "real" set once I get settled in and used to picking.. that way I'll know a little more of what I'll need in a pick anyway.

Well, wish me luck! (Still would like to know good materials to make picks from, though. what about a pocket knife? Could turn it into a pocket pick!)

[Olson Burry]

Hacksaw blades are usually quite good. Not the high carbon steel ones though as I find they bend.

Feeler gauge stock is another thing if you can find some at 0.025", it often comes in a roll or in 12" strips.

The main thing is not to ruin the temper of the material whilst, in the case of hacksaw blades at least, grinding the teeth and half the blade down, or by going to quickly when forming the working end of the tool. Keep it cool by quenching, almost every 2-5seconds in a cup of water. Also going slowly will allow you to examine what needs to be done and minimize mistakes. You can always take more off but putting it back on again will be impossible.

It's all in the finishing of these things anyway. You need to sand them with progressivly finer grit paper until they shine and are really smooth. I took some pics and talked a bit about making these things here and there are other tutorials around.

[subver]

Cool. Feeler Gauge stock is cheap as hell online (12" strips are less than $2, you could probably get 3 tools out of it)
I've found a couple that are stainless steel, and some that are carbon steel - which would be preferred?

I wonder if any US chain hardware stores would carry feeler gauge stock, like Home Depot or True Value.. I'd just rather buy stuff at a store than order online, I'm so impatient, haha. Not a huge deal, though. I'm sure they'd have feeler gauge sets, but I don't want to have to buy a bunch of sets just for the .025 gauge!

Anyway, thanks for the tips!