first time homemade snap-pick/double-tension wrench

[BurgledIsAFunnyWord]

here they are.

the snap pick works perfectly after i shortened the snap on it a little to make it more powerful. i used a regular coat-hanger and a pic from google.
the tension wrench is what im curious about, as i kindof used the same coil concept from the snap-pick for the springieness. it was a much easier design then anything else i had found for making your own double tension wrench. i havent tried it out yet though, ill use it on my car door tomorrow and update.
any opinions on it? pros, cons...etc...

also, can anybody tell me what kind of metal is used in street sweeping bristles? it seems to rust extremely quickly after i grind it.

[NanoDuke]

I'm not too sure about using the tension wrench on a car door. It might get jammed in the weather cover over the key-hole.

I believe sweeper bristles are a form of strengthened steel. They're brittle. When you cold bend them they tend to snap, instead of bending.
How fast are they developing rust?
I just looked at the first pick I ever made out of them, and sure it is a bit tarnished, but I wouldn't say it's rusty again. Then again, I didn't polish it too well when I first made it.

If you get the metal super-smooth when you clean it up, it'll resist rust longer.
Also treating it with Brass-O or Steel-O could help protect it too.

Keeping your picks in a leather case/wallet will absorb moisture, thus preventing rust. Humidity speeds up oxidation.

It's a bit extreme for homebrew items, but bluing the steel is a great form of protection
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluing_(steel)


To remove surface rust use aluminium foil (yes, that's right, FOIL) dipped in water to remove the rust. The difference in oxidation potential will cause the oxygen in the iron oxide to transfer over to the aluminium. The newly created aluminium oxide becomes a fine metal polish similar to Brass-O

[LocksmithArmy]

To remove surface rust use aluminium foil (yes, that's right, FOIL) dipped in water to remove the rust. The difference in oxidation potential will cause the oxygen in the iron oxide to transfer over to the aluminium. The newly created aluminium oxide becomes a fine metal polish similar to Brass-O

quite a neat bit of info nanoduke...
I blue my picks sometimes... but I mostly do it cause the color is sexier

[BurgledIsAFunnyWord]

To remove surface rust use aluminium foil (yes, that's right, FOIL) dipped in water to remove the rust. The difference in oxidation potential will cause the oxygen in the iron oxide to transfer over to the aluminium. The newly created aluminium oxide becomes a fine metal polish similar to Brass-O

That is extremely interesting. I'm gonna try it tonight as a matter of fact. lol.

I still haven't tried the tension wrench as it has been raining all day, but im starting to suspect that its a little too springy...if that makes sense. Also, Nanodukes suggestion that it will get stuck in the weather cover has been weighing on my mind, so i ground the points a little more. (as much as i could without sacrificing sturdiness)

as far as the bristles;

I believe sweeper bristles are a form of strengthened steel. They're brittle. When you cold bend them they tend to snap, instead of bending.

That's kindof what i thought, and correct me if im wrong, but its my understanding that if i want to apply heat in order to bend them, i cant let it get to the point where the metal is glowing red or it'll ruin the temper? but also on that note, if they're brittle to begin with then whats the difference in the end.

lastly, my picks made out of the bristles will rust in a matter of days. its definitely not moisture as i keep them in leather, im starting to believe this is the probable cause;

If you get the metal super-smooth when you clean it up, it'll resist rust longer.

i dont really put a finish on them at all. i just use a rough stone dremel bit to shape them and leave it at that. lol. ill have to start polishing them up and see if that makes a difference.

[NanoDuke]

That's kindof what i thought, and correct me if im wrong, but its my understanding that if i want to apply heat in order to bend them, i cant let it get to the point where the metal is glowing red or it'll ruin the temper? but also on that note, if they're brittle to begin with then whats the difference in the end.

If you ruin the temper, then it becomes a malliable metal. It'll become soft and you can easily bend it. In saying that I've heated mine up to red-hot and it hasn't gone soft on me. My flame wasn't fine enough so instead of a neat bend, I ended up with a slightly round bow at the bend. My first homebrew tension wrench I made I got lucky in cold bending it. I used two needle nose pliers to bend it. I got a near perfect 90* bend.

i dont really put a finish on them at all. i just use a rough stone dremel bit to shape them and leave it at that. lol. ill have to start polishing them up and see if that makes a difference.

Yeah a grinding stone is the roughest finish you can give If you don't have the patience for further treatment, at least give it a once over with a polishing fitting on your dremel (wire brush, or felt disc), or some form of sandpaper.

Oh and give it a wash after you've finished grinding. Get rid of all the metal dust particles.