My Bogota copies

[steel blade]

My first try at Raimundos Bogota set. Made from wiper inserts.

I followed Raimundo's advice and polished it up as best I could.

However the rake is points up and the diamond hook points down. Also I think the size is twice as long as it should be. But they work well. Sliding in and out of locks with ease.

When you start making these, you appreciate the thought and work that has gone into the original design. I have made ordinary picks before, but these are a different ball game. Your respect and your skill just grows as you work through these. Well done Raimundo!

http://tinypic.com/6qdzbs.jpg

[wtf|pickproof?]

WoW! That picks are looking nice. Do they work well for you? Keep up the good work!

wtf|pickproof?

[helix]

very, VERY nice.

[The Wanderer]

I wish I was talented like that. I'm good at putting things together. Creating something from nothing, or in this case from a wiper blade insert, is something else again. Nice stuff! It will only get better from here.

[Geek142]

Nice man... Congrats on such a good remake of them

Geek

[vector40]

That looks like a photo from the Levenger catalogue

[steel blade]

Hi Guys,

Thanks

The good thing about wiper inserts is that you don't have to polish them as much as steel bristles, as I think they are stainless steel. But they seem a lot harder to file and polish and they are very narrow, at least they are round here.

SB

[Shrub]

at least they are round here.

Fill out your profile so we know where that is,

I meant to ask raimundo but while im here, is the objective for both picks to be put in the lock and move in opposite directions to each other or do you use one and a tension wrench?

[raimundo]

easy to have around is the objective. there are only two pieces to keep track of and since each is also a tensor, they are the two pieces in your hand. so you know where they are at all times, theres also a type of spring and pin that can hold them in place on clothing. Stainless Steel wiper inserts also solve the rust problem that is part of the the Sweeper bristle type. I have only made a few from Wiper blade stiffeners The metal is a little different, and comes in various sizes, Files differently, and there is more mass wasting in the process, (mass wasting is material that has to be removed just to get to the artistice surfaces)

[lockpunk]

if those picks were horses they would be stallions

[RenderMan]

That definatly art.

Having just aquired a set of raimundo's picks, that polishing is worth it. A truely masterful job on yours.

Feel like a job polishing my home made picks?

[steel blade]

If any of you wants information on how to make Bogota picks, do a search for all of Raimundo's posts. Allow some time because there's lots. Of course you can narrow it down, but if you don't narrow it you will get lots of useful info. and some insights into his philosophy on picking and pick making.

I would recommend his post about three files and a fence post. For anyone who says "I can't make picks because I haven't got a grinder" this is an object lesson in basic pick making.

Dont worry if you cant read them all as I'm still working my way through them (I said there was lots.)

And for all those that congratulated me I was only following in the masters steps and I still got a lot wrong.

Just for the record I'm based in the U.K. and yes its still raining!

[steel blade]

Sorry I know most of you know this already

[Shrub]

Where in the uk are you?

[steel blade]

Hi Shrub, I'm in the leisure peninsula.... Wirral, between Liverpool and Chester

S.B.