Still having trouble...

[J-SC]

If you've read my previous threads, you've likely already figured out that I'm trying to make a pick out on only hand files. I'm not really concerned with how much time it'll take, as I figure if I stay dedicated enough without any sidetracks I could made a decent rake in at least a day or two, if not less. The problem is this is proving to be much more frustrating than I anticipated. I used this file set to file a windshield wiper blade down.

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5444/fileset.jpg

After which I ended up with this after a while. The mere look of this tells me that I've screwed it up. I was intending to create a rake.

http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/5125/picks002.jpg

So obviously I figure I should discard that one. I decided to try it a bit early, and I didn't exactly get far. (I'm practicing with a Master Lock combo, by the way). The side with only one gap fits rather easily into the side with the pins, while the other side takes some pushing, but I don't know if that's really a signal that I should keep filing it down or make a new one.

Another problem is my tension wrench. Actually, I think it might be alright, but I don't want it to end up getting in the way of my pick when I'm raking, so from the looks of it, do I really have to worry about that? It also makes it somewhat harder for me to actually insert the rake, but then again, I assume that's because a combo lock's keyhole is rather small, and the wrench and current pick might be a bit too much for it.


http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7710/wrenchz.jpg

Before I go on, I'd really like to know where I should stop and improve, or if I just wasn't being patient enough.

[MacGyver101]

I think the best advice I could give is to read the thread on making Bogota rakes. It'll give you a good introduction on how to space and shape your cuts... and they won't take days to make, so no worries there!

The issue of space for the tension wrench is an important thing to think about with smaller keyways; you might want to grab a padlock or cheap deadbolt with a keyway that's closer to a "normal" size, when you're first learning how to rake.

[unjust]

i can rough in a set of bogota's in about half an hour, but the sanding takes a LOT longer. having watched ray make them i feel astoundingly slow at it. that said, the right tools matter a LOT.

hit up home despot, menards or your local equivalent and pick up a nicholson 6" mill file, and a 3/16" (or so) chainsaw file. combined should run you less than the set you have, 1.5x if they're marked up too much, you got a deal, or it's a NICE chainsaw file. both of these will be coarser cuts than what you're currently using. the difference will be massive, but those aren't for finishing things up, they're for getting in the ball park. once you've got a basic shape, then you can use the finer files to get more precise.

drawing in the shape you want with an ultra fine point sharpie can be a huge help, either in positive or negative (you'll want to file off all of the color, or file up to the color) you can be a *little* more mindless in hogging out the big chunks of waste if you know, you've got a mm left to file before you get near what you want to keep, and can rapidly check visually instead of having to pull it from the vise and see where your'e at.

also remember that files cut in one direction and need to not be clogged with chips. you don't need a lot of force to cut with them, but if you use force all of the chips will clog the teeth and you'll cut less if you push harder. (like almost every saw that's actually sharp)

[unjust]

a few more things...

tension wrenches- you'll want several, with different sizes of business ends. i.e. wider, thicker, shorter, longer. this will allow you to work on different keyways which one tool may not fit into and another will. with your stock, you can take the other end of that wrench and file it thinner or more narrow depending on what you feel you may need for the keyway you're working on (after putting a bend in it)

your rake pick. it's a little tough to tell from the pic, but from the scratches and possible pitting it appears to be a street sweeper bristle. while easier to file (softer) than stainless wiper inserts, you'll be working with a less flat surface to begin with, which can be frustrating, and harder to finish up. when i have one (i can never find the buggers) i like to take a flat mill file to the face of it to smooth it before digging into the meat of the work.

that said, there's nothing you need to "discard" per se. if you're not happy with the tip, cutting the end off will shorten your handle a bit, but it'll just give you more practice. i can still see a useful rake's shape in the material you have left, drawing in the form (as i said above) will probably really help.

[J-SC]

Thanks for the advice on Bogota rakes. I wasn't intending on making them at first, but I decided to pick up a chainsaw file, and it's helped very noticeably. The rake looks a bit more useful now, but there is still one problem.

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/1470 ... edrake.jpg

Sorry if the camera was a bit blurry there. Anyway, the front of the rake "too high", for lack of a better term. Basically, I still have to push it kinda hard to get it in there, and when it does, it takes a lot of force to rake the pins, and if I apply that force it's gonna just slide right out, so it's not possible to rake the pins like this. Should I just keep filing it down with the chainsaw file until it gets lower?

[DB_Cooper]

Yip. I bit more shaving I reckon. Just don't loose the radical bends and try to even up the bottom follow. If it's difficult to get it into the keyway you will lose the motion require to execute the movement correctly and you may be forcing the pins more than they should be and perhaps over set them.

[J-SC]

Okay, I've filed the rake to the point where it's possible for it to enter the keyhole with a lot more ease, but I'm still finding myself unable to turn it and it's frustrating as hell. I'm raking as best as I can, and whenever it does seem like the hole has turned a bit, that moment is apparently a mirage because it always seems to go back to it's original position. The tension wrench is a bit shorter now, it's still able to get in there though, without getting in the way of the rake.

My rake doesn't go into the keyhole all the way (refer to the last picture), if you were to use it you'd notice one gap isn't inside. I think i messed something us because I can't set the pins back into place, the hole just turns to the left slightly when I apply tension and doesn't go any further than that distance. I fail to see what I'm doing wrong and it's getting on my nerves, because it seems like all I'm doing it braking my locks, picks, and fingers.

[unjust]

try to make a half diamond first. it's a *much* easier pick to make, and while you won't be able to rake as much, you'll get a better idea of what you're aiming for.

knock the sharp edges and burrs off the edges of what youv'e filed with the smaller files you've got. not a lot at all, just enough that they no longer feel sharp.

then, sand your picks. get a mixed pack of the black wet/dry sand paper, including (at least) 220, ~400 and 800. start with the low numbers, and work your way up. a smoother pick will go in *much* easier.

[J-SC]

try to make a half diamond first. it's a *much* easier pick to make, and while you won't be able to rake as much, you'll get a better idea of what you're aiming for.

knock the sharp edges and burrs off the edges of what youv'e filed with the smaller files you've got. not a lot at all, just enough that they no longer feel sharp.

then, sand your picks. get a mixed pack of the black wet/dry sand paper, including (at least) 220, ~400 and 800. start with the low numbers, and work your way up. a smoother pick will go in *much* easier.

Alright, well, how do I go about making the half diamond? It's not in the Bogota tutorial, and I can't find one for them.

The rake doesn't feel sharp anywhere, unless I'm missing something. In addition to the combo, I've tried using it on a padlock and a door, with no success on either. Seriously, I got better results when I was using paper clips, and by that I mean I simply got the keyhole to move. Trying to use actual tools hasn't even gotten me to that stage.

http://img857.imageshack.us/img857/2377/rake2.jpg

I filed the edges down a bit, not really much change.