Homemade Picks...rusting :-/

[Timmy321]

Hello, I am having a little trouble with hacksaw blade picks rusting on me... (I like homemade picks because of the custom designs you can make, and how you can make them differ from the ones you can purchase.) But, when I sand them down or use emry cloth to smooth them out...it takes off the paint finish, causing rust. Anyway to correct this problem? Something that maybe I could coat them with...I don't want to use Oils because of my hands slipping.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

- Timmy

[Exodus5000]

Other than keeping them clean, and wiping them down so the oils on your hands wont speed up oxidization, you're next best bet I would say would be to use a different material. Stainless steel wont rust, of course. Take a look around your hardware shop, see what you can find.

[Timmy321]

Would sanding them down completely and bluing them be an option? (right now the handles are still coated with the paint and just the business ends are sanded down.)

- Timmy

[Geek142]

Hey

Well since I made my homemade’s on a regular basis (I have around 22 now) and they do rust unfortunately but if you own a rotary tool or a dremel just give then a quick stroke with the sander accessory and your picks will look nice and smooth, well depending on how coarse your sanding wheel is you might want to give it a little sand with fine emery after.

Geek

[master in training]

blueing is an option and frankly, a good one, its a fairly easy process as i recall, do a search for gun blueing picks or something like that and you'll find a tutorial on it that tells you everythign you need to know. i remember you basically sand them down to metal, clean with alcohol so they're smooth and clean then dip them in the blue and let it dry, job done. having never done it or had any success with making picks i dont know for certain though! hope this helps!

[Timmy321]

I guess I'll just keep sanding them down every so often...something I thought of was storing them in a ziplock. I think I'll try that. That keeps them out of the open air.

- Timmy

[Geek142]

Hey again

Well i only sand mine down every 2 weeks. They dont rust very quickly well mine dont anyways, what type hacksaw blade high speed steel, carbon ect ?

Geek

[digital_blue]

I don't know what I'm doing different, but I don't get rusting on my picks at all. All my picks are made from hacksaw blades and I've never seen it happen. Now, I've only been making my own picks for a couple months so maybe the rust is coming yet, but I certainly don't have to sand them every two weeks.

I am curious, are your picks rusting on the handles where you hold them, or on the shafts and heads? I know that body oils vary from person to person, and some people are more prone to tarnishing metal jewlery and such, so it could be that.

db

[Geek142]

Hey

Well mine do rust on the handles, well the ones that have been sanded. I think it is just the oils and moisture of your skin that is probably making them rust. But i do give my picks tips a sand down every 2 weeks to keep them nice and smooth.

geek

[raimundo]

rust can be prevented by wiping the pickshaft dry after every use, any dirt or fingerprints that get on the metal will attract moisture and start rust. if you live in a hot or humid place, look for a plastic container to put the picks in, your body is naturally giving off some humidity. a ziplock bag may actually accelerate rusting if there is mositure in it when the picks go in. a plastic container with just a little bit of opening to the air will be best, fingerprints also contain salt. this not only dessicates moisture out of the air, it is a catalyst for rust. When you put the picks in a lock, you will get some dirt on them. if your picks are sanded shiny and very smooth with fine emery or something, there will be fewer places for the micro dirt to cling inside of and wiping them clean will be more effective.

[Timmy321]

Mine rust on the business end...the shaft/end. The handles still have paint on them. These are high speed steel hacksack blades.

- Timmy

[pick_maker]

I solved the rusting problem by leaving the paint on the steel and only sanding the pick shaft.

I have done blueing- it is easy but you have to be meticulous and not avoid instruction steps. Blued steel still has to be oiled for rust prevention- which is why I still leave the steel painted.

[rayman452]

I've found a way to keep my picks from rusting, and I've had my picks for around two months now. I brush the whole thing off so its nice and silver, then I apply a coat of vasiline to it. I re-add a coat every so often, and it seems to work well. Sure, the picks look a little dull, but they slide in very easily, dont rust, and after a few locks, you get this nice brass coating on the tip of your pick, making it look like gold. Go ahead and try it...Use only on the steal hacksaw blades though...no problem with windshield inserts.

[digital_blue]

I don't know if vaseline is a good idea. If the vaseline rubs off in the lock I expect it will collect dust and gunk up the lock. Just my thoughts tho, whatever floats yer boat.

db

[master in training]

yeah, i'd have to agree with db on that one, its the same point as when people ask about how to lubricate locks. its certainly not a good idea IMHO.