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Novice Locksmith: Buy or make picks?

Having read the FAQ's you are still unfulfilled and seek more enlightenment, so post your general lock picking questions here.
Forum rules
Do not post safe related questions in this sub forum! Post them in This Old Safe

The sub forum you are currently in is for asking Beginner Hobby Lock Picking questions only.

Postby pinky » 27 Dec 2004 16:22

your post says novice locksmith, if you plan on working commercialy then buy your initial tools, as you cant work without them
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Postby bembel » 27 Dec 2004 17:21

KamilM wrote:Have You tension wrench made with this same material?

Yes, even some adjustable Falle wrenches.
But most of the time I use very normal stuff like flattened bicycle spokes, Allen wrenches or bent wiper blades.
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bembel
 
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Postby Curioso » 28 Dec 2004 0:57

Wow! Nice set Bembel.

I ordered a small set of commercial picks a few days ago. I've come to the conclusion that it can't really hurt to buy a set. My only concern was that I might stop making my own picks if I like the set I bought a little too much :D

Thanks again for all the replies. You guys are very helpful to say the least, not to mention the fact that you're all the only people I know of that actually likes to talk about lockpicking. Anytime I've mentioned my new found hobby they look at me very strangely and say, 'Why?'
Curioso
 
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Postby KamilM » 28 Dec 2004 5:22

Thanks. May English is so bad, but I still lern him
KamilM
 
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Postby silent » 28 Dec 2004 8:45

That set was beautiful :cry:
nothn a 9 cant fix.
silent
 
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Postby Romstar » 28 Dec 2004 16:31

Bembel,

Those picks are excellent! Can you tell us any more about them?

Thanks,
Romstar
Image
Romstar
 
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Postby bembel » 28 Dec 2004 19:47

Thanks. :)
But what to tell...?

They're about 10cm (4 Inches) long and made of feeler gauges. I use the thinner gauges (0,5mm to 0.8mm) for the picks and the thicker ones (0.9mm to 1.0mm) for the handles. Like a sandwich.

The handles will be cut off and rounded with a Dremel using this cylindric sandpaper thing (don't know the english word), then I make the pick's neck so it will fit somehow to the rounded handles. The picks themselves are done with key files (nothing new to tell here).

After that, everything will be glued together and the sides will be finished with Dremel, file and sandpaper to make it look like one single block of metal. That's it.
I use some non-metallic Scotch-Brite polishing wool to finish them for less friction, like raimundo said.

P.S. The glue is something I wanted to try out instead of rivets because it saves a lot of time. It's Pattex Classic, pressed together with a vise. From the beginning I planned to use superglue, but so far Pattex does the job very well. ;)
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Postby bembel » 28 Dec 2004 20:00

Just another picture... 8)

Image
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bembel
 
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Postby bembel » 28 Dec 2004 20:37

Ah, crap! Forgot the homemade leather case...
Making our own picks doesn't mean we have to carry them in plastic bags :D

Image
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bembel
 
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Postby Romstar » 28 Dec 2004 22:54

Absolutely wonderful, beautiful picks.

Thank you so much for sharing them with us. I've used glue on several of my handle types. The catch is to find something that takes the flexing and possibly some moisture.

Yours are excellent!

Thanks again,
Romstar
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Romstar
 
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Postby begginerlockpicker » 28 Dec 2004 22:58

homemade leather case? so you make good picks and you mend/fashion leather. wow ..... 2 talents :)
It is always darkest right before it goes pitch black.
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Postby bembel » 29 Dec 2004 13:50

No need to speak of a talent here. :D
This was the very first case I ever made and it was easier than I thought. If you can make picks, you can also cut leather along a ruler. ;)
For the needlework I got some advice from a housewife and the push button set came from a shop.
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bembel
 
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Postby raimundo » 29 Dec 2004 14:02

They look beautiful, you and romstar and pick maker should have a contest for pickmaker esthetics.
Wake up and smell the Kafka!!!
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Postby bembel » 2 Jan 2005 14:29

I've already seen some of Romstar's picks and I was pretty much impressed. They're absolutely professional.
pick_maker has something similar in his sig but I was unable to find a thread about it (searching the forum takes hours)

I'd really like to see more pictures of such homemade picks. Not for a contest but for inspiration.
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bembel
 
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Postby Romstar » 3 Jan 2005 4:10

The pictures are coming. I just don't have a digital camera that takes pictures that are worth a right now.

All this other stuff I have, and I never bought a decent digital camera. Oh well, it happens I guess.

So far, I have riveted handle picks, dipped rubber handle picks, textured dipped handle, one piece stainless with integral handles, dental style picks are coming. As well as a variety of other handle types including speciality handles such as cork and magnet.

I'm working on two types of cast handles at the moment. One is a plastic type compound that feels like, and resembles aluminum. The other is a rubber compound that I can vary the hardness of.

Pictures are going to be coming soon. I promise.
Romstar
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