Carbon Fiber handle prototype

[zeke79]

Wow, I'd love to have the custom set I have designed done just like you have done there. Can you drop me a pm and give me an idea of cost per pick if you were doing a set that had roughly 20 picks in it. There may be more picks in the set, I don't recall for sure as the file is on my shop computer. I included the minimum number of picks I would be ordering as in the past *some* members who make picks offered discount points for certain quantities of picks. That is something we can discuss by pm if you are interested. Of course yours will be priced however you like. Just let me know, if you are interested in making them, how much it would be per pick with the number of picks being 20 or more. If you need pick tip and shaft design info to make a decision just let me know.

Thanks,

Zeke79

[Schuyler]

And don't forget me! I won't have your tools getting all the hell over the place without a couple ending up in my collection!

[tballard]

I'm amazed by the positive response this one pick has gotten! Thank you everyone for your kind words and PMs.

A lot of people are asking about the possibility of getting one of these picks. I do plan on making more (and have a couple in the pipeline already) but my "real" life doesn't leave me with a lot of time to work on picks. As I get picks done, I'll certainly make them available to the community, but I don't want to have people waiting around for me, since they could be waiting a while.

I need to field test these a bit to reach a level of confidence in the overall durability. I don't have any background in carbon fiber, so I'm pretty much making things up as I go along with the help of dubious internet research. I want to be sure the clear coat holds up in the real world, and the the pick doesn't spontaneously burst into flames or something.

Additionally, I need to find a better way of making the tang, and possibly switch materials. Currently, I'm using 1/4" x 1/32" high-carbon spring steel. I taper the tang thickness out from .0313 down to .0150 at the tip. Right now, this is done by hand, with files, and is the most tedious part of every pick I make; however, I love the feedback the "progressive" tang gives. I'm experimenting with some ideas to make this go faster, but it's taking some time.

Finally, I am a little nervous about releasing a tool with a carbon-steel tip. All my tools are carbon steel, and I've never had a rust problem on the tips, but I use them daily and in nice, climate-controlled environments. Switching to stainless steel probably would be a good idea, but I'm having trouble finding a good supplier of 1/4" by 0.025 strip, and even if I do, I have to decide if I like it.

I realize I'm probably waaaay overthinking things, but I haven't ever sold something I've made before, and would hate to disappoint people.

I'll keep the board posted on progress, and I've already got a little something special in the works.

[zeke79]

For stainless strips you could try some stainless feeler gauge stock. By going this route you could buy the perfect thickness you need in stainless steel and they are approximately .250" wide if I recall correctly. These will be more expensive than probably any other stock you would buy but the material specifications will be exactly the same from blank to blank.

-Zeke79-

[tballard]

For stainless strips you could try some stainless feeler gauge stock. By going this route you could buy the perfect thickness you need in stainless steel and they are approximately .250" wide if I recall correctly. These will be more expensive than probably any other stock you would buy but the material specifications will be exactly the same from blank to blank.

Yeah, I've investigated this, and it is the leading contender. The problem is all I can find is 1/2" wide, which would either need to be cut down in width, or would require making a complete sandwich, which I'm loathe to do without at least drilling holes in the stock to allow some carbon <-> epoxy <-> carbon bonding to take place. (Carbon fiber isn't really supposed to be bonded directly to steel...)

[ToolyMcgee]

Additionally, I need to find a better way of making the tang, and possibly switch materials. Currently, I'm using 1/4" x 1/32" high-carbon spring steel. I taper the tang thickness out from .0313 down to .0150 at the tip. Right now, this is done by hand, with files, and is the most tedious part of every pick I make; however, I love the feedback the "progressive" tang gives. I'm experimenting with some ideas to make this go faster, but it's taking some time.

Goes by fast with spring steel.

[raimundo]

small belt sander? if you can use it without being too aggressive and cutting too deep.

[braddockpicker]

I to would be interested in getting some of these picks. However, I would be interested in a set of only 5 or 6 picks. I will be sending you a PM shortly.

[Josh K]

Carbon fiber rocks!

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x174 ... G_2734.jpg

Great looking picks, make sure to post plenty of pictures.

[edit- large photos are not acceptable here- provide a thumbnail or clickable link only-unlisted]

[Squelchtone]

Hey Josh, I don't think your pic is high resolution enough for us to see the individual fibers of that tool handle, so here's an even higher res version for everyone.

</sarcasm>

Squelchtone

http://highsecurityconsulting.com/Proje ... G_2734.jpg

[edit- killed super large image-unlisted]

[Josh K]

I guess it could be bigger.

[unlisted]

Guys lets be a tad more reasonable with images on this site- keep it around 640x480 or 800x600. If you really want a high res image, provide a clickable link or thumbnail link.

thanks.