Carbon Steel or High Speed steel picks?

[sonic]

Well I got tired of waiting on my mail order picks so I took matters into my own hands. I did a lot of reading and looking at pictures and started making picks out of high speed steel hacksaw blades that I had on hand. I ran out of them and went to my local hardware store and bought some cheep carbon steel blades. From what I have read, the high speed steel is the prefered metal but I have found that they bend quite easily and the carbon steel holds it's shape better.

What is the general concincise of which type of blade is better to make picks out of given these two choices?

(When you are grinding them, you can definately tell the difference by looking at the sparks!)

[raimundo]

High speed steel is perfered for the rotary pick, it can take the heat generated by the friction.

[sonic]

Right now, I am not doing any high speed picking. LOL. I am just working on the now 8 padlocks that I own plus the Kuickset deadbolt that I bought just to pick.

So I guess that since I am not using any high speed device, the more rigid carbon steel has no real drawback and perhaps a plus since it does not bend as easily.

[stick]

I don't know where you read that higher speed steel was better, but in PYRO's video, he says that the stiffer, cheaper ones are better.

[PYRO1234321]

It all depends on what you want form your material. High speed steel blades tend to bend, but high carbon tends to break (thats under to much stress mind you). That is really just a rule of thumb, since there are loads of manufactures and price ranges, all with various characteristics. A mix of these traits can be found in junior (6") hack saw blades, which seem to have less variation but stay away from the dollar store types (to soft). Any store/professional grade junior blades are better and still affordable (i.e. spend the extra 1-2 dollars for a six pack...)

[kspec]

i guess im lucky to get some half decent carbon steel blades for a 10 pack for a buck!!! lol had to shop around but found them in a bargain bargain shop

[SFGOON]

I've been experementing with plastics, it's cheap, fairly effective, and somewhat easier to mold. The bonus for me is that it doesn't leave any marking on the plug or bottom of the pins and complicates metallurgic forensic investigation. Of course, they are more delicate, but one compinsates for that by being more gentle. I've found that hotel keys work brilliantly for this application, you can make a full pick set with just one and hook them into an exacto knife for stablity.

[raimundo]

I don't know if S F goon was serious about that but now I'm gonna have to give it a try. and of course, rub the square edges down so they are smooth, one good thing about plastic, you dont have to sand it, You can just bring it close to heat and the surface will flow. I wonder if that also tempers it when quenched

[Chrispy]

I've found that hotel keys work brilliantly for this application, you can make a full pick set with just one and hook them into an exacto knife for stablity.
- SFGOON

As in hotel keycards? If so, I've got a lot of picks to make.....

P.S. If anyone wants to purchase packs of hotel keycards for the below mentioned procedure, give me a PM with amount wanted and postage location.

[wtf|pickproof?]

I can't help wondering about why you would be minding about metalurgic forensics

wtf|pickproof?

[Mad Mick]

I can't help wondering about why you would be minding about metalurgic forensics

wtf|pickproof?

Hmmm. Research is useful....Special Forces perhaps?

[Chrispy]

The selection is vast and varied. PM me for details.

[mckutzy]

i work in plastics and i havent thought using key cards as stock for lock picks. but highspeed steel thats some tough stuff possibly a bit overkill
when other materials are quite serviceable, and also in this case plastic
........oh well .

[Boosted_Phoenix]

not sure about all that... i will stick to my shim stock from work, i just use left over scrap and try to get the srping steel type instead of the stainless i like the flex better

[jamesphilhulk2]

ahhh..*dreaming as he sits back on his chair* can you imagine picks made out of titanium...MAN they they could take some thrashing about
i can only dream