first try at making a pick

[thededer]

this is my first attempt at making a pick from a street sweeper bristle. i think it sucks. but im only 14 and i didnt have a grinder or dremel (rotary tool) tell me what you think and how i can improve it. and any ideas for a handle would be great if it is worth it to add one since its a garbage pick

[thededer]

sorry for the crappy quality they were taken with a cell

[LocksmithArmy]

looks like you need a longer shaft

[Emrys]

Looks good bro. I think you can use this pick on a majority of locks, depending on tensioner position and biting of the lock. You'll quickly find that there will be a wider variety of picks you'll need in your set.

If you want to start making your own picks, there's a couple things that will help you along the way:
1. Always use quality steel
2. Make sure the pick is of adequate design
3. Smooth the F*&K out of it! (ie, filing & sand paper - at least 600 wet grit) The easier it goes in the lock, the better the feel it returns.

Good luck bro. Happy picking.

Rob

[Emrys]

btw, I agree. Longer tang. (=longer shaft)

[jondoe]

Welcome to the site and way to go on making your own pick! Also, +1 to the above suggestions. Additionally, if you look around the site you'll find great suggestions on how to transfer templates from a laser printed piece of paper, using sticky/sticker paper, etc. By the way, my first pick looked pretty much like yours.

[thededer]

thanks for all of the suggestions i will sure implement them in my next pick but can anyone tell me how i could make a handle/grip for a street sweeper bristle lock pick

[thededer]

Welcome to the site and way to go on making your own pick! Also, +1 to the above suggestions. Additionally, if you look around the site you'll find great suggestions on how to transfer templates from a laser printed piece of paper, using sticky/sticker paper, etc. By the way, my first pick looked pretty much like yours.

i think it would be kind of hard to transfer onto a street sweeper bristle as they aren't very wide but for a hacksaw blade definitely

[pjzstones]

thanks for all of the suggestions i will sure implement them in my next pick but can anyone tell me how i could make a handle/grip for a street sweeper bristle lock pick

i started out just wrapping electrical around my picks for handle. now i use polymer clay. you can find it at most hobby stores. you can also use heat shrink tubing found at a lot of hardware stores.

[thededer]

thanks for all of the suggestions i will sure implement them in my next pick but can anyone tell me how i could make a handle/grip for a street sweeper bristle lock pick

i started out just wrapping electrical around my picks for handle. now i use polymer clay. you can find it at most hobby stores. you can also use heat shrink tubing found at a lot of hardware stores.

thanks

[thededer]

well i didnt like this pick so i decided to start over at the other end of the bristle and broke off this end check out my new post