Improvised Picks/Wrenches without Using Power Tools?

[HamFisted]

My attempt at making picks without power tools. Bunsen Burner annealed and tempered Improvised Hook and Torsion Wrench.



Does anyone have any favorite materials or techniques for creating impromtu picking tools? I've tried brick-strap, but it's hard to work with when you're just using a manual mill file and sheet metal cutters.

I love my LAB set of picks, and I'm eagerly awaiting my rubber handled Petersons, but I want to start experimenting with new designs. Problem is: I have no aptitude for using power tools.

So, if anyone has any hacked-together designs made with alternative materials, I'd love to see them and hear about how you made them.

-HamFisted, Newb in Training

[triman247]

Small screw drivers bent to make a tension wrench

Paperclips for hook picks

Also safety pins for hook picks

With a small hand file, you could proabbly turn a tiny hex wrench into a tension wrench.

Other forms of metal that are already bent at a 90 degree angle, or are small enough to fit in a lock.

Search the site. It might have some other materials other people have used.
triman

[Mad Mick]

As Triman says, have a search. There's also no need for double-posting...most of the regulars look at every_single_post, and offer advice where applicable.

The picks look quite ok for starters. The one on the left is pretty close, but could do with being a little sturdier along the shank. Try using hacksaw blades and creating a gradual reduction in the height from the handle to the tip. The tip is where the actual picking is done, but you need the clearance beneath the forward pins...insert an un-finished pick blank into the rear of the lock and calculate the length required to clear a low-setting front pin (a pin that shouldn't be moved whilst picking a pin deeper in the lock) This length is typically the length of a key blank. Make the transition from the height of the pick blade to the handle as smooth as possible. A gradual increase is preferrable. Sharp increases induce stress at the slimmer point, which will result in breakages. Do a search for "pick templates", there are plenty of results. Look carefully at the shapes produced by the manufacturers...these are tried & tested designs. Rescale and print out these templates, then try to reproduce them.

[pun1sher]

what are those picks made of? they look as if they'd be easily breakable.

[pun1sher]

well, atleast the one on the right

[JMR39]

A dulled-down dental pick worked for me once...