Make picks thinner

[wgwqqwr]

Hello,

I'm curious, if I buy picks made from some sort of stainless steel and they're around 0.025'', is it possible to somehow pile them down to around 0.020''? Is it viable solution? Maybe some trick like in this video showing how to polish picks? https://youtu.be/-SQhJ6bBHOk?t=333

[G-lock]

Ive herd of people saying that you can fold sand paper in half then put the pick in the sand paper & put the sandpaper into a book. Then just press on the book while sanding the pick. However this method did not work for me because it thins the tip more than the rest of the pick. So i just use a dremel with a sanding disc then finish by hand with 1200 & 2000 grit. If you do this you have to have a variable speed dremel imo. You have to keep the speed real slow (if you see any sparks its to fast) & use a micrometer to make sure the pick is evenly sanded. Whatever you do, do not over heat the metal if you use any type of power sander.

[G-lock]

Lol, i should of watched the video you linked to 1st thats the method i was talking about.

[wgwqqwr]

Thanks!

[wgwqqwr]

BTW: what grit have you used in this book method?

[femurat]

Ive herd of people saying that you can fold sand paper in half then put the pick in the sand paper & put the sandpaper into a book. Then just press on the book while sanding the pick. However this method did not work for me because it thins the tip more than the rest of the pick.

It depends on the direction you sand. If you move the pick in and out it obviously sand mostly the tip. If you move the pick left to right, while keeping it straight, it should thin it out evenly. At least it works for me.

wgwqqwr, I use 500 or 600 grit sandpaper and then finish it with 1000 wet by hand. Since you're using sandpaper, smooth out all the pick edges.

Cheers

[wgwqqwr]

Great, thanks for your help!

[TORCH [of KCK]]

Ive herd of people saying that you can fold sand paper in half then put the pick in the sand paper & put the sandpaper into a book. Then just press on the book while sanding the pick. However this method did not work for me because it thins the tip more than the rest of the pick....

Have you ever tried putting (in sandpaper) shims 1/4" on each side of the pick ?

Shim thickness ranges from both grit & pressure applied.

Also, can fold sandpaper over & staple to 2 pieces of boards, then shim.

This is what works for me.

[Ralph_Goodman]

What is the thinest people are going on their picks?

[femurat]

That's a very clever idea, TORCH [of KCK].

Ralph, my picks are street cleaning bristles. I don't thin them down. I just sand them smooth.

Cheers

[TORCH [of KCK]]

What is the thinest people are going on their picks?

Generally, about 14 - 17 thou...
(14 is my preferred)

Have gone as thin as 12 thou.,
But it was expected to be a short life for it.
(But it did it's job, & lasted longer than expected)

Forgot to mention earlier;
Use an elongated figure 8 motion,
(Barely side to side)
&
Measure FREQUENTLY, when thinning.

[Ralph_Goodman]

Ralph, my picks are street cleaning bristles. I don't thin them down. I just sand them smooth.

Cheers

Thought that this might have been a joke until I looked up "street cleaning bristles" and the first image results are lock picks.

I guess the cost of using those bristles is having your streets be a bit dirtier.

Love finding stuff like this out.

[GWiens2001]

Ralph, my picks are street cleaning bristles. I don't thin them down. I just sand them smooth.

Cheers

Thought that this might have been a joke until I looked up "street cleaning bristles" and the first image results are lock picks.

I guess the cost of using those bristles is having your streets be a bit dirtier.

Love finding stuff like this out.

Unfortunately, in my area, using the street sweeper bristles is not recommended. Local ordinance requires the use of nylon bristles, which are not such great material for lock picks.

Gordon