starting my own DIY lock picks

[anarchy_punk]

I decided on making my own lock picks using bristles,saw blades etc. Anything I can make picks out of just until I get more picks when I get money cause the ones I got are already breaking so maybe ill find a good metal so they don't bend and break

[gloves]

First of all welcome!

I couldn't find any question mark but I guess you opened this thread looking for some tips or advice

Both sweeper bristles and saw blades make great material for handmade lockpicks, so either if you've got a file or a dremel tool, you can make some sweet working tools from them.

There are a lot of threads in this same section you've posted into which concern homebrew lockpicks and templates, so please have a look at them and have fun with this hobby

Cheers

[Josh66]

I use band saw blades a lot.

I just take the dull ones out of the scrap bin at work, but I guess even if you had to go buy one it wouldn't be too bad. A 1/2" wide, 93 1/2" long carbon band saw blade is about $10 at Lowe's - depending on how long you make them, you'll get 15-20 picks out of one blade. (Make sure you cut it where the ends are welded together first, so you don't end up with a pick blank with the welded part on it.)

It's roughly $3 for a 2-pack of 12" carbon hacksaw blades - you'll get 3 picks, max out of a 12" blade (unless you like them super short).

20 picks for $10 or 6 picks for $3 ... surprisingly, the per pick cost is the same (I did not expect that) - 50 cents per pick.

[anarchy_punk]

Well I was letting everyone know that I was making some and was seeing what everyones opinion on what's best metal to use and yes I'm using a demmel tool and thanks for the tip for saw blades prices ill probably pick some up

[GWiens2001]

I would suggest keeping a small container of water right next to where you are grinding/dremel tooling the picks. When I make them using a grinder or dremel, I quench the pick every few seconds to keep the metal cool enough to not ruin the temper. I try to keep the metal from discoloring at all, and it seems to work well. My picks remain tough.

Gordon

[zeepia]

I have a compressor in my shop providing me a constant 8 bar air flow. So, air blower in my other hand and grinding the pick with another hand with a belt sander. 6 bars of air keep the pick very efficiently from overheating and it´s fast!

[GWiens2001]

Zeepia,

I like that idea with the high air flow for cooling. Good thinking!

Gordon

[zeepia]

The only downfall with this method is that your ability to make precise movements is limited, at least I can work more accurate if I use my both hands. I don´t grind the picks too close to final measures this way, I always leave something to get filed away.

But you can always tie that airblower to your work bench and let it blow to your working area in its own. Problem solved

[anarchy_punk]

Thanks for the advice guys but i made hook picks out of street bristles,wiper blade, saw blade, and a butter knife and let me tell you the butter knife was a b#### to make but got it done only thing now is to do the handles

[Werxes]

You can also try some feeler gauge stock, you can make 4 picks out off it depending on the pick style. Plus you can choose the thickness, which is a boon.

[GWiens2001]

Have you thinned down the blade thickness of that butter knife? It will likely have a tough time in a keyway if the warding is difficult.

Sounds like you have the right idea with trying different materials in order to find what works best for you. Keep up the good work, and put up some pictures.

Gordon

[anarchy_punk]

Yeah i thin down the knife and whats a feeler gauge stock

[Werxes]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#feeler-gauge-stock/=klzaou

[anarchy_punk]

lockpicks i made from window wipers insert

[anarchy_punk]

made from street bristles