Home Brew Pick

[Squelchtone]

I have been hobby picking for about a year and a half now, but just recently joined this forum. Probably above the beginner level at this point, but I still learn new things all the time. I recently made my first pick, just a short hook, but it is now the favorite short hook that I own. Being my first homemade pick, I think it turned out pretty well. Let me know what you think.

[Ian_425]

The reason the pick looks blue and white stripped in some pictures is because that is the shirt I was wearing when taking the photos.

[Ian_425]

At second glance I completely neglected to say anything about how I made this pick.

It is made from a 0.025 stainless steel wiper blade insert. After getting the rough shaping done, I used JB weld to attach two more pieces of steel to widen the handle. The next day I sanded the weld smooth and finished working on the pick head.

After the finishing process was completed, I put the smallest shrink tube on that would fit, shrunk it, put the next size up on, shrunk it, one more layer of shrink tube, shrunk it.

The longest part of the process was waiting for the epoxy to dry.

[Jacob Morgan]

Looks nice, a good high polish on the pick.

[gueroaero]

Looks nice and effective. What did you use in grinding/sanding the tip?

[Ian_425]

I believe I used 600 grit sand paper to even everything out, then I go to 1000 grit, 1500 grit, 2000 grit, and finally 2500 grit. Time consuming, but makes them look fantastic.

[Ian_425]

For shaping I use metal files.

[gueroaero]

Up to 2500 grit; no wonder we can see your shirt reflection! Haha

[mathcat]

Nice!

[Ian_425]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. I'm in the process of making a larger set like this. I'm going to make all my favorite picks and rakes in this style. I won't want to use them though, it will scuff the finish haha.

[Slayer85]

Great work. Using metal files is a good idea to.

[Ian_425]

As soon as I finish my next project I will post it as well. One thing I am using on this project (a rake this time) is a chainsaw file. Chainsaw files work great for a lot of the precision work.