My DIY lockpick adventure

[clearmoon247]

Hey everyone, just thought i would make a topic on my progression on making a few diy lock picks. Today, i got a package in from a mechanic friend of my wife, it is roughly 50-60 windshield wiper blade inserts, all of varying lengths. I have been scouring the internet and picking up the best info i can before i jump down this rabbit hole.
Here is what it came in (with one of our cats)

and here my raw material

and lastly, 2 double sided tensioners i made a few moments ago with a pair of plyers

Also, thats a master 1500iD padlock that we forgot the code for and can't quite shim open to reset.
So, I'm going to be out of the country from friday through til thursday, but when i get back, I'm going to pick up some supplies to start making the picks. Well, I'll keep everyone updated with how things go from here.

[raimundo]

In the lockpicks manual section I have a tutorial on making bogota picks,

Its really easy, a flat file, a quarter inch chain saw sharpening file both available at the big hardware chain store
and sandpapers to make them smooth.
no need for measurements and templates, the dimensions of the cuts between peaks are exactly what the quarter inch chain saw file produces, and the sweeper bristle is also a constant dimension that you do not have to cut much off to produce the picks,
I think you will enjoy pickmaking.

[Bob Jim Bob]

I know there's a cat burglar joke in here somewhere... I'll think of it...

[clearmoon247]

Raimundo,
I have seen your tutorial on making the bogata picks and i plan on making a few properly. I even have a copy of the diagrams you had for making them. This will be my second attempt at picks. My first attempt, i tried to freehand a few designs using a dremel and a few grinding stone bits, but they wore out a lot quicker that i wanted. I will be investing in a few files and a tungsten carbide tip for the dremel. In addition to bogata's, i am also looking into making a pick set for dimple locks, the king and queen pick and most other standard pick designs. So far, i feel that the picks I've made already (double half diamond, short hook, and gonzo hook) work a lot better than the southord jackknife that i borrowed from a friend.

Bob Jim Bob,
i hate to say it, but cat got your tongue on that one?

[clearmoon247]

hey guys, so to give a quick update for now, with a larger update later tonight. A preview of my efforts and what is in my toolkit as of now. It is in a pdf version for those that want to print them to scale.
So, here you go: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xgqdo3bq63b5cjb/Current%20Picks.PDF

[clearmoon247]

Well, the time has come, a flood of images of my current method and process.
I only documented my first attempt at a proper bogata.
To begin with, I made markers for 1/2" overall, with notches every 1/8"

Then, copied those marks to the tip of a wiper blade

After that, i moved the blade over 1/4" to add another 2 marks

From there, i used my Nicholson 6 in. x 1/4 in. Bastard-Cut Round File to make the first 3 cuts.

Then, i made two more cuts on the underside of the blade, as a counterpart to the first three cuts.

From there, i removed some stock for the shaft of the pick and smoothed out the peaks and tip

Once that was done, i applied a couple of notches into either side of the pick, as it was time to create a more user friendly handle.
Following DayZiro's guide, i stripped a strand for the wire, which i wrapped around the pick.

Only difference between his and mine is the thickness so instead of using 1/2" heat shrink tubing, i used 1/4" tubing

and this is the mostly complete product

and a tensioner that i made with some of the other wiper blades.
That's what I've got for the time being, but the project is far from over.

[clearmoon247]

forgot to add the tension wrench

[clearmoon247]

Alrighty guys,
Today has been a busy day for making lock picks
Here is my current collection. There is always more to come from here.

[clearmoon247]

Just though i would share my latest creations. Here are the picks that I'm using as a template for future picks to create constancy in the event that anyone wants a set of my picks.

They still need a final polish, but, thats for a later date.

[cledry]

I admire you guys that make your own picks, there must be a lot of satisfaction in that. I usually just buy them from my supplier but they won't have any of the fancy profiles like you have made. I may get ambitious one of these days. About all I have made are some safe opening tools, and tools for testing magnets and electric strikes.

[clearmoon247]

Ya know, it has a nice taste of satisfaction with a big old dollap of frugallity. I have borrowed retail southord picks from friends and hate to say it, but I prefer mine 100 fold, they just seem to fit me better, if that makes sense

[cledry]

Ya know, it has a nice taste of satisfaction with a big old dollap of frugallity. I have borrowed retail southord picks from friends and hate to say it, but I prefer mine 100 fold, they just seem to fit me better, if that makes sense

I have a coworker that has Southord picks and frankly I think they are far inferior to Rytan and HPC which are the two main manufacturers that locksmiths seem to use. Peterson is just starting to make inroads into the market that HPC and Rytan dominate, thus far I only use two of their tension wrenches and a bump hammer. Southord I had never heard of until I joined this forum.

[clearmoon247]

Updating again, here is my attempt at the serepick bogata set

[clearmoon247]

Now, what my wife (mittens here) has made, a roll case for the pick sets that i am making. Let her know how she did with stitching the entire thing by hand.

[Mittens]

I actually made a smaller one. Its much better in my opinion. Plus its got pirates on it.

http://imgur.com/nxgIM