Qualities of ideal lockpick materials

[Caenos]

I have access to a ton of different kinds and amounts of quality metal in an electronics shop, and have the tools and machines availiable to make my first set of lockpicks...

But am not sure what qualities an ideal material to make a lockpick from would have, or any variations of picks that would be useful in a set.

If there are diffent qualities for different applications, then I would appreciate any defailed information I can get.

[Varjeal]

Basically your looking for something, preferrably stainless, that's thin and flexible enough to fit into a tight keyway .020 to .030 in thickness. A nice contoured handle for a comfortable grip would also be useful.

As for shapes, you can look on websites, or just design your own. Basically, whatever works for you.

Hope that helps though. Good luck and let us know how your homemade set turns out.

[Caenos]

I've already grinded a high quality stainless steel cotter pin to about .04 diameter, with a half diamond end... 'testing' should begin tomorrow.

I also managed to find some of these fabled street sweeper bristles...

[quicklocks]

hi try using blades off a hacksaw as they worked ok for me and they are very easy to get

[Caenos]

ty for the input so far... anyone have any input on qualities of metals i'm looking for? (elasticity/strength/malleability/luster(?)/etc)

[Bitter Man]

Flexability without breaking and creasing as little as possible is a must. Making really stiff picks = bad.

[Varjeal]

Once again I agree with Bitter Man...you'll want the tension wrench to be able to flex and inch or two and be able to return to "true" without kinking.

Of course, the stronger the material the better. I've found, and so have many others, that picks will break long before they actually "wear" out, so bear that in mind as well. Your tension tools will be important as you want the dimensions so that the tension wrench fits snugly into the bottom of the plug. Too small, and it will slip often, and that reallllly causes frustrations.

Luster is only a concern if you want them to look pretty. You generally don't want any paint on your picks as it wears of and can end up being deposited into the lock.

Hope that helps.

[Caenos]

TY for all the input so far...

Are there situations where you would want a very stiff pick as opposed to a flexable one?

Enough to give me reason to make both?

BTW: I just put luster for shits and giggles... couldn't think of another property to put down

[Bitter Man]

Well the idea is that picks end up broad and flat so theyre only flexable in one plane (ie they can only flex sid to side). This is so you can press up firmly on a pin and the pick will remain stiff aganist the pin. All picks should pretty much be the same flexability and what not. Unless you make some kinda specialty pick that involves doing different things than simply raising pins.

[Varjeal]

You may decide to create/buy "heavy"/stiff tension wrenches for variety. I personally prefer medium to relatively stiff (flexes less than inch) tension wrenches because I can feel the transmitted movement of the pins/wafers better.

It all depends on personal preference and what kind of mood/personality you have. Since some call me kinda Schizo...I have a variety for different occaisons.

[raimundo]

bicycle spokes is another material that can make picks if hammered flat or flatened on a disc sander. these come in various qualities of metal, in different temper. temper can mean soft. (bad for picks, this is metal that when bent will not spring back, but if it can be heated and quenched it can often be tempered to springy) springy, like sweeper bristles are is really thebest. but people who like hard tension sometimes grind a flat blade on an allen wrench and make a tensor that has no give whatsoever. Hard usually means brittle. the best metal is springy, mild steel can possibly be tempered to springy with heat and quench, making hard steel springy is for metalurgists with controlled ovens.
Luster......I cannot agree that this is unimportant, I find it very important, the interior of a warded keyway is very complex, if you polish the tops and sides of your picks, and round out the edges you will greatly reduce friction and whatever you feel inside the lock will not be the flaws in the Picks. Most commercial picks come out of locks with brass filings all over them. these fileings are also deposited inside the lock, and the tips of the pins are scarred by the rough picks. A smoothly polished pick will just slide through the keyway with so much less drag and friction. If you have equipment to polish, do it.