I made my own lockpicks

[Sunderlocks]

Hi everyone-

This is my second post. I ordered some Ti lock picks today and found that I overpaid. So, I jumped on here and found a few templates for lock picks.
I made several out of some hacksaw blades I had hanging around.
Let me know what you think....good/bad or how I can improve them.

Thanks-

Sunderlock

[img][/img]

[spoonzor]

Look's like they will do the job. Maybe wrapping the handle's with something will make it more pleasurable to work with them. For example shrink tube or i've seen another member here tie the inner wires of cat5 (network) cable around them...

Everything nice and smooth? Looks like you did some sanding

Watch out, some hacksaw material snaps very easily if you wiggle them.

[spoonzor]

how did you file it down, by hand or by machine?
I'm not sure from the picture but I think you did it by machine and let the metal get too hot, that makes them weaker.
Use a bucket of water to cool them down all the time or file by hand.

[Raymond]

The form looks pretty good. The second one in the picture has a thin spot on the curve that is guaranteed to break off so be careful with it. I have found that the small bump at the beginning of the handle tends to dig into my finger so I would smooth it off or cover it with handle. Looks like a really good start.

[GWiens2001]

Nice work, Sunderlocks. You are doing well.

Where are you located? Here in the United States, where the keyways tend to be more open, those would be great. Across the puddle, the more restrictive keyways may require thinning down the shafts of the picks. If it is not necessary, don't thin them down. Thinner picks tend to bend or break easier, especially for a beginner.

Keep up the good work!

Gordon

[Sunderlocks]

Thanks guys-

I glued an outline on a hacksaw blade, used a dremel to cut out the majority of the steel, then sanded down with a combo of sandpaper (200 grit) and a belt sander. I did manage to change the color on one of the picks when using the belt sander, however I brought in some water and it worked out fine with the other two. The Cat 5 cable cover sounds like a good idea...I will throw some on later today. The thinness of the metal does bite into my hand. (Gordon) I am in the United States, but I wanted a thinner look so I can maneuver in the key way. Right now, I am opening simple locks, but I really do not have the feel to tell anyone how I popped the lock. It is just kind of lucky pushing and prodding. Right now, I am waiting on a clear coated lock that one can look at while you pick it....so hopefully that will help.

Thanks for the feedback guys-

Sunderlocks

[harison]

Hi Sunderlocks
Nice work. I really appreciate it but what's the use of making it by yourself when its easily available on-line...

Its just my opinion. Nothing personal.

[GWiens2001]

Hi Sunderlocks
Nice work. I really appreciate it but what's the use of making it by yourself when its easily available on-line...

Its just my opinion. Nothing personal.

There is a feeling of accomplishment when you open a lock with picks you made yourself. There is a challenge in making them, and making them well.

Sometimes you come across a particular lock that you feel 'if only my pick had a slight more curve, or had this or that', so you make a pick to your own needs and preferences.

This can be especially true of tension wrenches.

Gordon

[smokingman]

Nothing beats a good homemade tool.
They can even be made brand speciffic for troublesome keyways like Yale or BEST
and it is very satisfying to open something with the fruit of you labor and experience.

[sterry20]

i have found thay when i make my own tools and that includes jigglers tension wrenches lock picks that it affords me extra money to buy the things i really want to buy like tools i cant and who knows i have made tool that work like magic oc accident so if this is what your interested inin doing get a machine and i suggest harbor freight is a good place to start for tools and pick stock i make my jigglers out of stainless steel feeler gauge stock so i know what thickness to use and they come pre drilled and fit nicely on my store bought key chain right along side of my southord jigglers!