My first handmade pick

[Haddo]

Let me just start by saying I am not real efficient with power tools, but seem to do OK with a dremal tool.
I'm not dangerous or anything. I just couldn't cut a straight line to save my life.
I had never in 48 years seen a street sweeper bristle. About a week ago I was walking back from a meeting in a different building, and low and behold right there in the gutter is one about 2 feet long with notches cut into the ends.
Hell it may not even be a bristle, but it the right width for a pick and some kind of spring steel.
I'm going to redo the handle. Didn't care how it came out. I was concentrating on the pick and the handle was just an afterthought. I'm going for a half diamond next.

This is kinda fun.

[mcsteve]

Nice work. Much better than my first attempt using a hacksaw blade. I gave up for a while, and bought a Southord set, but your post reminds me that I should get around to making my own set soon.

[femurat]

Hey Haddo,

great job, I can't believe it's your first pick! You already have some talent. The pick looks good, the shape and proportions are right. Can't see from the pictures if the pick edges are well sanded, but I guess so.

I like the riveted handle also, looks like a knife handle. Can't wait to see your half diamond.

Cheers

[raimundo]

the notches on the ends of your "streetsweeperbristle" sound like its a windshield wiper insert.

[raimundo]

Oh, the easiest way to make a pick like that is to buy the el cheapo set of steak knives at the dollar store, they have the handles riveted on and the stainless steel is already really thin so you can find them that need no thinning, just the grinding of the shape, and you get to hold the handle while making it. as always quench every two quick passes of the grinder.

[Violaetor]

Very nice first homebrew, the fact that it even HAS a handle is testament enough!

[Haddo]

Thanks for the compliments.
My first thought was that it was a wiper insert, but it was over two feet long.
I guess it must be from a big truck.
I found the dremal easy to handle. A grinder attachment and a sander was all it took. One of my grinders is set up with paper polishing wheels so after getting up to 1000 grit paper I hit it with some polishing compound and even though you can't tell its as smooth as glass.

[Haddo]

BTW, I didn't use a template so to speak.
I just traced a southord pick with a very fine tip sharpie.
Worked great without all the hassle of trying to transfer a pattern. The marker stayed on through quenching and wiping.

Just an FYI if your thinking of making picks.