Noob Homebrewin some picks!!!

[noobhobypicker]

Hey guys new to the forum and lock picking. after watching many you tube videos and reading as much information that I could take in over the past week form lock picking 101 I have decided for my first pick set I would make my own rather then buying a set. So today I bought some hacksaw blades and here is the result.

Step 1
Used White sticker paper and Printed out Romstar's template found on this site (Thank you Romstar!)
cut to a reasonable size for my hacksaw blade.
Step 2
Purchased some bi-metal blades from local hardware store. Found bi-metal to hold up very well under pressure especially when your a noob!
Step 3
Placed sticker template on blade and began trimming away with 6" bench grind and dremmel them finished up with 150 grit sand paper
Step 4
For the handled I decided to go with plastic dip which is nice because you can continue to dip until you have reached desired thickness.
Step 5
Made tension wrenches with wiper blade inserts. this was fun because you can make about 8 wrench's out of one insert.

The whole process took about 4 hours (1 hour per pick) but it was well worth it. No better felling when you open a lock with tool you made yourself! thanks for looking and Always open to criticism, Its the only way ill improve!

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[LocksmithArmy]

very nice bro

[Josh K]

I had some doubts looking at the title but those look very professional.

[Theist17]

I had been wondering about whether the size of those templates was correct or not, and now you've cleared that up for me!

Thanks a lot! I'll be using the same kind of method for transferring the templates, I think, but I may go with an electrolytic bath instead of grinding and all of that.

[femurat]

Well done!

At a first glance your shafts could be thinned a bit, but that's probably because I'm used to small euro keyways. If you're just starting out with the hobby you'll probably play with bigger keyways for a while, so keep this suggestion for your next set.

Cheers

[geardog32]

if you find a good method for the electrolytic bath, please post your method. I have tried this in the past but i had problems with it "seeping" underneath the paint, tape, nailpolish, or whatever i use.

[thededer]

very nice man!! they look like the ones that they sell online if not better good job. could you explain how you did this plastic dipping though? it seems interesting something i may want to try..

[staiper]

Excellent job (especially if those are your first "babies" ) !

Yes , for "euro locks" shafts must be a bit thinner (however you always can grind/file them later if you find it required)

[noobhobypicker]

very nice man!! they look like the ones that they sell online if not better good job. could you explain how you did this plastic dipping though? it seems interesting something i may want to try..

thededer,
plastic dip can usually be bought at any hardware store. Although its called plastic dip the end result comes out feeling like rubber. Most people use it to dip there hand tool in. its similar to the plastic grip you would find on the handles of pliers.

[noobhobypicker]

Here is a quick update with my final set. Thanks for looking and I appreciate those who commented.

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[exspook]

a nice well made set, welcome along and enjoy a hobby that last a life time..always learning bro

[thededer]

they look very nice. but i'm just wondering why you took some of the metal out of the back of the picks? they used to have a straight edge now there is a slight curve missing just thought i'd ask

[pjzstones]

they look very nice. but i'm just wondering why you took some of the metal out of the back of the picks? they used to have a straight edge now there is a slight curve missing just thought i'd ask

i think it's intended as a finger groove. they can make the pick feel more comfortable and give you more control. although it can also have a reverse effect if you don't make the shape of it right to compliment the way you hold your pick.

[noobhobypicker]

they look very nice. but i'm just wondering why you took some of the metal out of the back of the picks? they used to have a straight edge now there is a slight curve missing just thought i'd ask

Sorry for the late response. the curve in the shaft is the spot where I Have been placing my index finger. I was just messing around and experimenting at first but it has helped give me with better overall feel of the pick.

[thededer]

thats what i thought.. its just that it doesn't look like the other finger grooves that ive seen