DIY Questions - What to use?

[Seroxis]

Hello. So, in reading I see the most common thing to make a home-made pick is to use a jigsaw blade. I don't have a grinder yet, so getting the teeth off would be a problem. (I'm into crafting, and at some point plan on getting one - when I can afford it).

I do however have a dremel. I was wondering, would it be unwise for any reason to just use one of the small metal rulers I have in place of the sawblade, and just use my dremel to shape the pick? I'm sure the sawblade is used for a reason, obviously this wouldn't be as good. But at the moment my closest 'pick' is just a paperclip, so I feel like anything is better. Do you think I should just use the dremel to get rid of the teeth on a sawblade instead? I've used it to cut metal before, so I know it can - just may not be the fastest thing..

[Squelchtone]

Hi,
When you say jigsaw blade do you mean hack saw blade? I think hack saw blades are a more common recommendation.

Go to AutoZone or PepBoys and fish a couple windshield wipers from the barrel outside the store, rip the rubber off and remove the stainless steel strips that give the wipers their curves. That is still wide enough to Dremel but not as wide as a hacksaw blade where you need to remove so much metal to get a working pick.

and switch from paperclips to safety pins for the time being, the steel in safety pins is much stronger and you can use pliers to make some bends in the tip.



To make a tension wrench, use a 4 to 6 inch piece of the wiper inserts and put a bend at one end.

Download and read the LSI Guide to Lockpicking, it has some good pictures to help you get started
http://lockpickguide.com/support-files/lsiguide.pdf

[Seroxis]

Ahh, indeed I meant hacksaw, my mistake. Running low on caffeine!

Thanks for the tip! There is an AutoZone right down the road, I'll have to swing by and check it out.

[me+lock12]

If you want to make cheap picks that last longer, I would use street sweeper blades or hose clamps.

[Seroxis]

Hose clamps! There is an idea I never thought about! As far as street sweeper blades, I'm not sure where I'd go about getting one of those?

[Squelchtone]

a little terminology for you guys to get you going on the right track: it's windshield wiper blade inserts and street sweeper bristles.

[me+lock12]

You can find street sweeper bristles in the gutter or on the floor of some parking lots.

[bioggy]

Dremel tools are the bomb, I love mine with a passion!!! but you can use hacksaw blades, windscreen wiper inserts etc. lots of materials best thing is to be experimental! and if in doubt search the forums there are so many threads on homemade picks!

[Seroxis]

Yes indeed, I've seen lots of great ideas here, most use a grinding tool. The windshield wiper inserts I have seem a bit small, so I'm going to have to be careful trying to work on them. Good thing I grabbed a handful. I fully expect to mess the first couple tries up. But hey, gotta start somewhere, right? Thanks for all the suggestions. I've got enough to keep myself busy for a while now, I think. I hope at least ONE good pick comes from all of this!