Homemade Bogota Recreation From Hacksaw Blade

[Oatmealer]

I had a job cancellation today and the weather is pretty crappy (cold and sleet), so I wanted to do something constructive to pass the time.

I made a couple Bogota copies I made from a hacksaw blade. (In the first image link, top is the first practice run, 2nd is the more accurate recreation. The bottom is a Peterson for comparison)

http://i.imgur.com/anHyqbB.jpg

This image is the Peterson and the 2nd recreation shown side by side on the hacksaw blades for comparison.

http://i.imgur.com/1m0KM6q.jpg

They certainly aren't perfect, but they both work well (yes, even the ugly first draft), obviously not quite as good as a commercially made one.

I used an old Stanley hacksaw blade for the first draft and a new Lenox for the second. I measured the length of the Peterson (didn't need to measure width, it was almost exactly the same), I cut the blade with a RotoZip & cutoff wheel, then manually shaped the pick end with a standard bench grinder (cooling often) and some small diamond grit files. The hacksaw blades measured in at .030. I manually sanded off the paint and continued to thin them out to .023 with 220grit sand paper. I finished with 1,000grit then 2,000grit to help smooth everything out. Wrapped the handle with a couple layers of electrical tape.

Hoping the next one will be better!

[PowerHaus930]

Those look pretty good for a first attempt. I made some picks from wiper inserts and made a handle from some aluminum rod and a set screw so I could change out the different tips depending on what I needed at the time. I did all of the shaping with needle files and sand paper and then a flat file to taper the profile. I finished them with 1000 grit sandpaper and some polishing compound.

[Oatmealer]

Thanks! Yours look excellent! I never thought to use the buffer wheel and polishing compound. I'll have to keep that in mind for the next round. I like your idea for the handles. Great idea!

I made a couple picks out out if wiper inserts a while back, but I found these particular inserts to be rather flimsy and a little too skinny. I'll have to try the wiper inserts again and see if possibly the last ones I had were low quality.

[GWiens2001]

Beautifully polished! You did yourself proud.

Gordon

[PowerHaus930]

Thanks for the compliments I can't take credit for the handle though. I saw a video on YouTube on how to make it. Here is a link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_CfirLwgr8 The guy's name is BosnianBill and he has alot of good videos on lock picking. As for the wiper inserts I have heard that there are a few different widths 1.5mm, 2.75mm, and 3.5mm. I believe the ones I used are 2.75mm. I got the 2.75mm from a 24" wiper and the other wiper which was 16" had the 1.5mm inserts. I have heard that the longer wipers have a better chance of having the wider inserts although some of the longer ones I have checked still have the narrow inserts so I think that different manufacturers use different inserts. If you prefer to make a pick from wider material so you don't have to make a handle then I have heard that feeler gauge stock works well and it is available in many different thicknesses and is normally 1/2" wide which is perfect for a handle.

[PowerHaus930]

Beautifully polished! You did yourself proud.

Gordon

Thanks! I appreciate it. I find that making picks is just as fun as picking locks and I have probably spent more time making them than picking locks lol