Why using diamond picks?

[bembel]

Maybe a stupid question since most people seem to feel very comfortable with diamond picks, but I simply don't understand how to use them correctly. Almost every lock I've seen so far uses pins like in the picture:



As you can see on figure 1, a diamond tip seems not to be made to fit onto a common pin very well. A miracle to me how to hit exactly the right point to press a pin straight downwards. More likely that you will slip off and press down the pin with one the flattened sides as seen on figure 2, which might also apply an unwanted sidewards pressure (please correct me if I'm wrong)

I was wondering why there are no pick sets with picks like on figure 3 (this one should be bent for better handling, but you get the point): It fits onto the pins. You can even feel when it's placed correctly and then press down the pin.

[PickPick]

The half diamond pick itself is already rather low, with a small tip. If you reduce the height of the tip even more like in picture 3, it becomes more or less a straight metal blade. This notch can be useful on hook picks but for the half diamond to be used for both picking and raking you need that pointed tip. And that's one of its biggest advantages, that you can do both. Plus it's nice for heavily warded keyways.

[Teus]

method #2 is is most used, afaik.

I never needed the half diamond before, until I bought a heavily warded yale lock. as pickpick said, you both pick and rake the lock. picking it with a half diamond works much better!

[bembel]

The half diamond pick itself is already rather low, with a small tip. If you reduce the height of the tip even more like in picture 3, it becomes more or less a straight metal blade.

I would not suggest to file down an existing diamond pick to something like on picture 3, but making your own picks you can set the height like whatever you want. The drawing is just schematic and for better understanding.

So, besides of the raking advantage, method 2 would be it?
From a mechanical viewpoint, it seems not too effective to me pressing down a conical thing with a beveled thing. Too many forces go in too many unpredictable directions. Do you see what's my problem?

[MrB]

I think, if you are able to make your own picks, there are an infinite number of variations to try, and you should not hesitate to do so.

It may indeed be helpful to have a very small notch on the end of the pick and others have reported trying the same idea.

The answer is don't be discouraged, try it and see.

[Mr Ules]

I have my own feeler gauge picks which are quite handy. One of then is a half diamond and mine has a much larger head. I did this specifically for when I'm picking and raking, however, my half diamond is slightly rounded just incase that happend.

[raimundo]

in the pictures you post, the point of the pin rides on the point of the pick, I think you are thinking about the problem wrong. put the pin in a lock core and watch as you put the pick under it, the pin will ride up the slopes of the pick and ride down again as the pick passes under it. Its not about going point to point, its about moving the pin up and letting it down, if you do this to more than one pin at a time, call that raking. if you feel it stop at the shear line, call that picking. but picking is not about meeting the pin and pick point to point and then just elevating it.

[bembel]

You're right: I was thinking about pressing down the pins, which is wrong.
Meanwhile I've made 2 half diamonds and watched them inside a cut off cylinder. Got the point.

[ne0nerdz]

i womder if there are some wierd shapes people have come up with, let me know if ya find some wierd lookin ones

[raimundo]

diamond picks are just about the same thing as the hook, except that hook has to get down to get under and lift a pin, and the diamond can lift the pin with out genuflecting. the question is, does the diamond work two pins at once while the hook addresses only one, actually, it depends on the curvature of the hook the hook could also be lifting two at once. In fact, a very acute point on the diamond, ^ could be made to fit under just one pin at a time, and might be an interesting pick to have, I haven't made one yet, but now I think I will.

[Spectrum]

I've made a pick like the last one in your picture, thanks for the help

[toomush2drink]

I have put a small hollow in the end of the small hook i use for the very reasons mentioned at the start of this thread. I find it helps when setting spool pins at the rear of a lock with high a low cuts.