Thinnest practical picks

[tpark]

Greetings lock pick makers,

I'm wondering what the thinnest practical pick thickness is. I've been doing some experimenting, and here's what I've found so far.
4 thou is too thin for most things, it's possible to make semi-workable picks at eight thou, but setting spools with such picks takes a significant amount of attention and control. 15 thou is pretty good and is generally useful. I'm wondering if I can get by with thinner (say 12 thou) and still have a workable pick.

The requirement for the thin pick is because I'm trying to reliably open a Ruko D12 and a BEST WB keyway lock. What's the thinnest pick stock you've used??

For most locks, I can get by with the 15 thou gem or my own 16 thou Starrett picks, but sometimes something else is neede.

[GWiens2001]

For some tight keyways, have had to make a bent diamond or hook - bent to the side, so it can get around a tight warding. Got that idea from watching a video of farmerfreak picking an EVVA lock for me.

Gordon

[TORCH [of KCK]]

I have a medium home brew hook, that ranges
13 to 14 thou. (Started off as 0.015 shim stock)

So, a 12 thou would be cautiously but usable concept,
In my opinion. Let us know what your testing results. T.Y

[tpark]

OK, stock is on it's way... The 0.008 picks work, but they're waay too flexible for my liking. I've bent picks as Gordon suggested, and that does work. Once I get the stock,I'll see if workable picks can be made.

Except for special purpose use, I suspect 15 thou is getting close to the limit. We shall see.

[TORCH [of KCK]]

Just out of curiosity,
What type & grade of metal are you using ?

[tpark]

Just out of curiosity,
What type & grade of metal are you using ?

I've been buying Starrett feeler gauge. It's a bit harder than Precision (which is also good). I've used other materials, and feeler gauge (at least to me) produces consistent results.

[TORCH [of KCK]]

I've been buying Starrett feeler gauge. It's a bit harder than Precision (which is also good). I've used other materials, and feeler gauge (at least to me) produces consistent results.

That is a good choice.

Do you use a template, freehand, completely freelance, or any combination for your designs ?

Personally, I use 1/2 sided template, & work it down to a point where I can eyeball it to a pick I've retired as a model. (Actually have 3 different hooks, & stretched snake I've set aside that works very well for me)

[tpark]

Mostly I work freehand when making picks - I grind it down to the right general shape, and I use files to get to the final shape, At that point I use progressively finer sandpaper to smooth it down. I've used templates, but since I make relatively few picks I haven't looked into manufacturing processes to make them. Using an existing pick is a model is something I do too.

[unjust]

it depends.

overall shape of the pick and the shape of it is going to shift how thin it can get and still behave. if you're rounding the sides more vs just deburring you're changing the forces transmitted along the "beam" of the pick.

personally i've found thinner to be less helpful past about 15 thou than going wider and shallower with a harder steel (for fitting into tight warding). changing up the alloy or to titanium will have some significant impact on how the picks perform based on their shape.

i have found *very* thin to be useful where i was letting the pick bend around the warding, but that's probably not what you're talking about.