Scored a HUGE Brick Strap ribbon! :-D

[v12v12]

While walking back from Campus area, I saw some long, flat black strap sitting in the soon-to-be trashed pile from a construction sight... when I picked it up, YES—it was some very well conditioned brick strap! I bundled it up and headed home, all the while getting curious looks for passer-bys. It's some VERY nice steel for making picks. When I put my Peterson pick next to it to test the width of it, it's basically identical! Now all I have to do is cut/file it down to basic pick shape and let the dremel do the rest!
I cannot remember who recommended brick-strap to me, but THANKS, for I have at least 10FEET of it, enough to make a very large collection of picks! Brick Strap is VERY tough stuff: flexible, but also firm.

2 issues; 1) I'm still debating if I should grind off the black coating on it? It's VERY smooth and pretty hard to come off, so I figured that it couldn't do much harm as far as hampering the pick since smoothness is desireable etc.

2) Which picks to make? I've already have:

4 diff types of hooks
2 sizes of half-diamonds
3 Rakes (snake, "W" and a long basic)

Those are pretty much all I use... What else / do you guys think I should make some full-circle/halves? Not sure if I'm going to attempt making torsion-wrenches from it, I don't think it's rigid enough...

Thanks all.

[Squelchtone]

Lucky!

I saw a street sweeper doing the street down the hill from me this morning, so I took a nice evening walk just now in hopes of something metal catching my eye, but I think every machine in my area uses those though Nylon brissles. That's a good idea though with the brick strap, I'll have to do some drive by's on local construction sites and check out their scrap piles.



Squelchtone

[Jason13]

Make a snowman for wafer locks.

and make the famous bogata!

[Gordon Airporte]

Bogata, as Jason said, and a deep curve. Maybe something like a Peterson Reach. I'd get the Falle set templates from Locksportarchives.com

[Bahrg]

2 issues; 1) I'm still debating if I should grind off the black coating on it? It's VERY smooth and pretty hard to come off, so I figured that it couldn't do much harm as far as hampering the pick since smoothness is desireable etc.

I think you could leave the coating on, but after shaping the picks I suggest sanding with various grades of sandpaper. Even tho the metal is already smooth there will be burrs on the edges etc, and even the smooth parts can still be made smoother I use 1000 grit as my final sanding now. However if after all the sanding it still has the coating Id say leave it, cuz it probably would inhibit rust.

[CVScam]

You have a long strip you could make a nice slim jim if you need one. I have one made from brick strap and it is the best one I own.

[illusion]

Don't bother with slim-jims - there are better things that won't lead to the possibility of damage.

I have found brickstrap works well for Matador rakes.

[v12v12]

Hey guys, thanks for all the ideas and replies! Quick question: What about some handles for the picks... I've made picks before, but trying to find the right material has been a hassle. I've tried the vinyl cover-slips, but that feel too strange. I was thinking about some rubberized dip, but from previous experiences with it, it takes a while to dry and doesn't shape very well... I would like some kind of handle coating like used with the Peterson Picks (blue rubberish coating) etc...

Thanks.

[ekips]

You could try heatshrink?
I'm going to try wrapping some thin wire around the pick handle first THEN putting the heatshrink on, hopefully giving it a ribbed effect.

I'll post picks when I get chance to have a go, weather sux at the min

Ekips

[undeadspacehippie]

I have a couple of brickstrap picks, i made them at work one day when it was a bit slow - they work ok but the strapping I had was a weaker blend of metal compared to some other strapping that I had my eye on.

[TwizZ]

I KNOW this is an old post and I'm going to get flamed for resurrecting it, but I just wanted to say that the best thing I've used to make handles on brickstrap picks is HOCKEY TAPE. Wrap it around TIGHTLY until it feels comfortable. Also, try wrapping it around in a way that makes some finger-grooves so that you can grip it well while pushing/pulling on it, too.

[Theist17]

I've always found that small dowels with a slot cut about half-way through the piece makes for very pretty and very comfortable handles on the cheap. Just epoxy them in and seal the wood. Some of my favorite picks are made like this. I used pieces of Crepe Myrtle for my handles, but you can do what you want.